Thread: Sex Slave Investigation Leads To Arrest Of 11

http://www.local6.com/news/5118040/detail.html

Prostitutes Allegedly Served Farm Workers

POSTED: 2:52 pm EDT October 18, 2005
UPDATED: 6:01 pm EDT October 18, 2005

TAMPA, Fla. -- Investigators in Central Florida arrested 11 people this week who allegedly ran a massive prostitution ring that served Mexican farm workers in three Central Florida counties, including Orange and Polk counties, Local 6 News reported.

Federal officials said one of the defendants -- Wesilandy Ceballos, 35, of Orlando -- owned one of the largest brothels in Apopka. The brothel allegedly generated more than $200,000 during the past two years.

Federal and local law enforcement agents said the 11 people arrested face charges of conspiracy to transport individuals for sexual activity.


Another 43 people were arrested for being in the United States illegally during searches that were made in Hillsborough, Orange and Polk counties.

Frank Figueora, the special agent in charge of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Tampa, said the suspects exploited the immigration system by using the foreign-born women as prostitutes. Women were recruited from Chicago and Puerto Rico, the indictment said.

Most of the criminal suspects were from the Dominican Republic and Honduras.

The defendants were either denied bond or didn't have a bond hearing until Wednesday and couldn't be reached for comment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eduardo Torro-Font said that the brothels usually operated in trailer parks and were easily opened, closed and reopened in another location.

They operated from January 2000 until last December, according to an indictment that was issued in June but was sealed until the arrests.

If convicted, the sex trafficking suspects each could face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

OK, They lost their hookers. Now lets get rid of their welfare and food stamps.

They just took away the hookers because illegals had to pay themselves for the "service" - takes away from money going home. Anything provided to them free is off-limits.