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A ntI - Trafficking c oordination t eam. Trafficking in El Paso. Defined by three ways: Proximity to the border I-10 Corridor Fort Bliss. 3 Elements of Trafficking. PROCESS MEANS END. For the purposes of INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE or DEBT BONDAGE or
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Trafficking in El Paso Defined by three ways: • Proximity to the border • I-10 Corridor • Fort Bliss
3 Elements of Trafficking PROCESS MEANS END For the purposes of INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE or DEBT BONDAGE or SLAVERY or SEX TRADE RECRUITING or HARBORING or MOVING or OBTAINING A PERSON By FORCE or FRAUD or COERCION • What happened when they arrived in the destination country? • What was it like when they started to work? • How did the person find out about the job? • How did the person migrate? • Was the person paid? How much? How often? • Did the person try to leave his/her job? What happened? • Is the person afraid of his/her employer? Why?
Federal Laws • Sex Trafficking of Children • Interstate Transportation for Prostitution • Coercing/Enticing Travel for Prostitution • Coercing/Enticing Minor to Engage in Prostitution • Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Prostitution • Travel With Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct • Production of Child Pornography • Sex trafficking by Force Fraud or Coercion
The Mann Act • Criminalizes interstate or foreign travel to engage in sex crimes • Criminalizes coercing or enticing an individual to travel in interstate or foreign travel to engage in sex crimes • For juvenile victims, criminalizes using the mail or any means of interstate or foreign commerce to entice or coerce a juvenile to engage in a sex crime • The purpose of the travel does NOT have to be solely for prostitution or the commission of a sex crime, but it must be a major reason to travel • Consent is NOT a defense • Even if the prostitute is willing, the pimp can still be charged with a Mann Act Violation
Coercion and Control • Physical Imprisonment (locks, bars, guards) • Physical/Sexual Violence • Psychological Violence/Threats • Long Term Psychological Manipulation • Deception • Isolation • Confiscation of Travel/Identification Documents • Deprivation of Basic Necessities • Forced Drug/Alcohol Use
Human Trafficking Indicators • Malnutrition, dehydration, or poor personal hygiene; • Sexually transmitted diseases; • Signs of rape or sexual abuse; • Bruising, broken bones, or signs of untreated medical problems; • Critical illnesses including diabetes, cancer, or heart disease; or • Post-traumatic stress or psychological disorders.
Human Trafficking Indicators(Continued) • Does not hold his/her own identity or travel documents; • Suffers from verbal or psychological abuse designed to intimidate, degrade, and frighten the individual; • Has a trafficker or pimp who controls the money, victim will have very little or no pocket money; and • Is extremely nervous, especially if their “translator” (who may be their trafficker) is present.
Immigration Status International Human Trafficking • Victims are often trafficked across international borders. • Many, but not all, of those brought from outside of the United States are in the country illegally. Domestic Human Trafficking • U.S. Citizens can also become trafficking victims. • Child Prostitution is a common form of domestic trafficking in which U.S. citizens are trafficked within the United States.
Immigration Benefits Continued Presence • Available to victims of a severe form of trafficking. • May be sought only by federal law enforcement on behalf of potential witnesses. • Permits the continued presence of the victim in the U.S. for one year. • Provides employment authorization. • Provides “certification” allowing victim to access public benefits. T-Visa • Available to victims of a severe form of trafficking. • Sought independently by a victim. • Permits victims of trafficking to become temporary residents of the U.S. U-Visa, Significant Public Benefit Parole, Deferred Action
Domestic Human Trafficking
Methods of Involvement • Pimps/Traffickers • Sex for Drugs • Gang Involvement • Family • Survival
Types of Exploitation • Street Prostitution • Internet Advertisements • In/Out Call Escort Services • Truck stops • Prostitution Circuits • Special Events • Parties/Social Events • Strip Clubs • Pornography
Victim Characteristics • Adults & Children Under 18 Years of Age • Female, Male, Transgendered • From Any Ethnic, Religious, Economic Background • History of Abuse and Neglect • Runaway, Thrownaway, Homeless • Psychological and Emotional Issues • Involvement with Adult & Juvenile Criminal Justice System, CPS, Foster Care • Unemployed, Underemployed
Recruitment Methods • Information Gathering to Assess Vulnerabilities • Friendly, Flirtatious, or Protective Approach • Seduction, Time • Meets Needs Based on Assessment • Flattery and Charm • Illusion of Financial Crisis • Illusion of Protection or Safety (staged performances) • Physical Violence, Threats
Coercion and Control Methods • Isolation From Family, Friends, Other Prostitutes, “Squares” • Illusion of Protection • Illusion of Love Relationship • Dependency • Psychological / Emotional / Verbal Abuse • Shame • Fear • Physical Violence and Threats • Glamorization of Pimp/Ho Culture
Common Barriers to Seeking Help • FEAR, FEAR, FEAR • Illusion of Love Relationship With Pimp • Loyalty to and Dependency on Pimp • Distrust of Law Enforcement • Fear of Incarceration • Lack of Knowledge of Available Social Services • Feelings of Shame, Self-Blame, Hopelessness • Not Able to Self-Identify as a Victim, Illusion of Free Will • Lack of Family or Other Social Support • Fear of Retaliation (Self & Family) • Fear of Being Labeled a Rat or Snitch • Held Under Watch
Indicators • Excess Amount of Cash or Very Little Cash • Suggestive / Inappropriate Clothing • Fake Nails, Excessive Makeup, Hair Extensions • Hotel Room Keys • Trick Books / Notes With Addresses & Phone #s • Chronic Runaway / Homeless • Malnutrition, Poor Personal Hygiene • Tattoos, Branding, Jewelry of Pimp’s Name
Indicators • Expensive Clothing or Other Personal Items • Lying About Identity & Age / False ID / No ID • Inconsistencies in Story • From Out of Town / Out of State • History of STD’s, Abortions, Miscarriages, Untreated Medical Problems • Substance Abuse • Extremely Nervous, Fearful
Victims’ Needs • Protection and Safety • Interpreter • Food • Housing/Shelter • Clothing/Personal Items • Transportation • Repatriation Services • Child Care • Crisis Intervention • Medical/Dental Services • Mental Health Counseling • Drug Treatment • Advocacy • Information and Referral • Service Coordination • Legal Services • Court Orientation • Education • Language Skills • Life Skills • Job Training • Employment
PROSECUTION THOMPSON, SMITH, & WILLIAMS • Pled to 18 USC 1594 (Conspiracy/Trafficking in Persons) • Sentenced in August 2013, to imprisonment shown below plus five (5) years of supervised release 180 MONTHS (15 years) 186 MONTHS (15 ½ years) 168 MONTHS (14 years)
PROSECUTION MARTES JACKSON • Never cooperated, never debriefed • Plead to 18 USC 1594/1589/1591 (Conspiracy/Trafficking in Persons) • Sentenced in August 2013 to 90 months (7.5 years) and Term of Supervised Release (5 Years) 90 MONTHS (7.5 years)
PROSECUTION ALARCON WIGGINS • Refused all plea offers – Trial was set for August 12, 2013 • August 8, 2013, accepts a plea agreement • Pled to 18 USC 1594 Conspiracy/Forced Labor and 18 USC 2421 – Transportation/Mann Act • Sentenced November 2013 17 yrs. 8 mos./ 10 yrs. Supervised release
PROSECUTION • Kiry NALLS • Grant RUTLEDGE • Indicted 7/12/2013 • NALLS Pled Guilty on 1/31/2014. • RUTLEDGE pled guilty on 2/03/2014.
PROSECUTION Charles Marquez • Refused all plea offers – Went to Trial on November 12, 2013 • Trial lasted 2 weeks and the jury deliberated for less than one hour • The Jury found Charles Marquez guilty of 18 USC 1591 – Sex Trafficking of a Child, 18 USC 1591 Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud or Coercion, 18 USC 2422 – Coercion and Enticement/Mann Act, 18 USC 2421 –Transportation/Mann Act, 18 USC 371 – Conspiracy, and 8 USC 1328 – Importation of Aliens for Immoral Purpose.