McALLEN
Last Defendant in Border Sex Slave Ring Sentenced

Oct 13, 2006 07:08 PM EDT

The last of eight defendants in a Texas immigrant smuggling ring that extorted, enslaved and raped women must serve ten years in prison.

Federal prosecutors in McAllen today announced the punishment for 23-year-old Hector Soto.

He was caught at the Sarita immigration checkpoint in April. Soto in August pleaded guilty to harboring immigrants.

Soto was one of several brothers accused of being in a ring that kept and abused immigrants in "safe houses" near the border and in Houston until their smuggling fees were paid.

Passers-by helped two women who'd been raped, thrown in a South Texas canal and left by a roadway in 2003.

The victims were relocated and given immigration and refugee assistance.

The other seven defendants were convicted on smuggling related charges and sentenced to prison. The eight Mexican nationals are subject to deportation after prison.
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(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)