http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/18176.html

Brazilians Nabbed for Running Illegal Alien Prostitution Ring
September 09, 2006 06:57 AM EST


by Jim Kouri - A Miami, Florida woman and man, both Brazilian nationals, were charged this week in federal court with running a prostitution ring, based in Burlington, Massachusetts, which employed illegal aliens.

Vanessa Lopes, 25, and Raphael Mello, age 27, both of Miami, Florida, were charged in an indictment with inducing aliens to reside in the US illegally, inducing individuals to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution, sex trafficking and conspiracy.

In addition, Lopes is charged with making false statements in immigration documents and Mello is charged with illegally reentering the US after previously having been removed.

The indictment alleges that from July 2004 through February 2006, Lopes and Mello conspired together to profit from a prostitution business which took advantage of the vulnerabilities of Brazilian women who were in the US illegally.

According to the indictment, Lopes and Mello recruited women for the business, advertised them through the Internet and then directed the women to various locations throughout Massachusetts and neighboring states for prostitution.

The indictment also stated that, in order to keep the women from quitting, Lopes and Mello used various threats against them, including the threat of deportation.

If convicted on these charges, Lopes and Mello face up to life imprisonment, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.