Indianapolis Men Headed Racketeering Ring, Officials Claim

INDIANAPOLIS -- Three brothers smuggled prostitutes into the U.S. from Mexico and Central America in an Indianapolis-based operation that persisted for several years, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana said Wednesday.

U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett said 13 more people were involved as managers of prostitution houses in several states, including Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio, shuffling the prostitutes between cities frequently.

"The organization operated primarily in the Hispanic community and advertised its services by distributing business cards bearing advertisements and telephone numbers for auto repair or western wear outfitters," Hogsett said in a news release.

The federal government claims the business cards were well-known in the Hispanic community as being contact numbers for arranging appointments with prostitutes. Typically, the cost for services ranged from $40 to $50, Hogsett said.

Jose Louis Hernandez-Castilla, Norberto Hernandez-Castilla and Gregorio Hernandez-Castilla controlled the operation, the federal government said.

The prostitution houses were managed by Hector Elizalde-Hernandez, Javier Aguilera-Sanchez, Fredy Arnulfo Valle-Soto, Jorge Armando Rodriguez-Sanchez, Jose Mejia, Santos Nunez, and Elvin Herrara, officials said.

The suspects were charged with racketeering.

The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Indianapolis police, Marion County Sheriff's Department and other agencies were involved in the investigation.

Each of those arrested could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/27776123/detail.html