Two Illegal Immigrants Detained In Prostitution Arrests

(Created: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 2:30 PM EST)


Detectives with the Leesburg Police Department Special Enforcement Team made two arrests Friday after initiating a traffic stop on a vehicle suspected of transporting a prostitute to several locations within the town.

Ismael Antonio-Garcia, 27, of Leesburg, was the driver of the vehicle stopped. He is alleged to have recruited women for prostitution and transported them to customers whom he solicited. Both he and the passenger in his car, Marina Aguirre-Gonzalez, 21, of no fixed address, who was identified as one of several alleged prostitutes working for him, are here illegally from Mexico, according to Leesburg Police. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from the Human Trafficking Unit were contacted and responded to assist with the investigation, and detainers were obtained for both Antonio-Garcia and Aguirre-Gonzalez.

According to Lt. Jeff Dube, public information officer for the department, information regarding Antonio-Garcia's activities had come to light within the last 30 days, and the suspect "was known to the officers who were investigating" a related complaint made by a town resident. Agents from ICE, Dube said, were notified to determine if Antonio-Garcia had engaged in human trafficking to facilitate his business.

Warrants were also obtained and served charging Aguirre-Gonzalez with two counts of prostitution and Antonio-Garcia with two counts each of aiding prostitution, using a motor vehicle to promote prostitution and receiving money from a prostitute.

In a search of Antonio-Garcia's residence, detectives found evidence of his solicitation efforts, including business cards, and money. The cards that investigators say Antonio-Garcia created and distributed for the purpose of soliciting customers do not list actual businesses, but callers to the listed phone numbers would reach Antonio-Garcia and could arrange an appointment with a prostitute.

The investigation continues to identify additional associates of Antonio-Garcia in Warren County and in Maryland.

Both Aguirre-Gonzalez and Antonio-Garcia are being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

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