Alleged prostitute smuggler held without bond

May 6, 2009 - 9:29 PM
By Laura Tillman

Alleged human trafficker Juan Luis Coronado will be held without bond, U.S. Magistrate Judge Felix Recio ruled Wednesday.

Coronado has been accused of conspiring to "conceal, harbor, and shield from detection" undocumented immigrants for the purpose of prostitution, according to court documents. The allegations are the result of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation, in which special agents monitored Coronado, 37, and Lee Ann Zieger, 40, both of Brownsville.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Coronado and Zieger were charged with one count of importing aliens for prostitution purposes, two counts of harboring aliens for prostitution purposes, and one count of attempting to import a minor alien for prostitution purposes.

On April 30 Coronado, also known as Juan Hernandez and Don Juan, was arrested at a grocery store. Zieger, also known as Lee Ann Motilla, was arrested the same day at her Brownsville home.

Zieger has been released from jail on $75,000 bond.

Recio decided to hold Coronado without bond, citing his criminal history, including pending traffic warrants and missed child support payments.

The next public hearing for Coronado is scheduled for June 19 at 9 a.m. Jury selection is scheduled for July 6.

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/c ... ution.html