United States v. Cortez-Meza

Facts

Nine female victims testified about defendant’s role in a years-long sex-trafficking and prostitution ring. Each women told a similar story of living in Mexico, separately meeting the defendant, being enticed to move to the United States (sometimes by threat, promise of work, or victim’s romantic interest) and moving to the defendant’s house in the greater Atlanta area. Once there, victims were told they would have to work as prostitutes. Each worked for a specific defendant and was picked up and dropped off by drivers to perform sexual acts for customers. At the end of each night, after seeing 10 to 30 customers, would have to give all their money to the driver or defendant. The defendants use violence, threats of violence, insults, psychological coercion, and strict oversight to force the women to remain in their houses and work as a prostitute.

Specifically two victims, RHP and LMJ, were treated particularly violently. RHP was beat by the defendant with belts and boots for disobeying him, struck with a water tank, forced to go to the United States, pushed down the stairs, and in one instance was thrown to the floor, kicked, beat with a broom stick until the stick broke, and then beat with a closet rod. LMJ was similarly beat by the defendant. He arranged for her to go to the United States against her own will. If she ever refused to prostitute, defendant would be aggressive with her and would threaten to beat her and kill her family. Defendant beat, humiliated, and insulter her, and would hit her if she did not bring home enough money. One time the defendant hit her with a tb cord until her body and face were swollen and another time with a closet rod. These stories were corroborated by the other victims. Defendant was convicted on all 19 counts brought against him.