Domingo Salazar and his wife, Norma Mendez, were sentenced today by United States District Court Judge John Gleeson in federal court in Brooklyn based upon their guilty pleas to charges relating to sex trafficking of a minor. Salazar was sentenced to 30 years’ incarceration, and Mendez received a sentence of 68 months’ incarceration.

Between April 2007 and November 2009, the defendants, who are Mexican nationals, used physical violence, threats, and intimidation to force a 17-year-old Mexican woman (the victim), to work as a prostitute in New York City area and elsewhere. The victim was not permitted to leave the apartment in Brooklyn where she lived with the defendants, except to work as a prostitute. Half of the money she earned was taken by Salazar, and the balance was kept by drivers who transported her to work locations.

In announcing the sentences, United States Attorney Loretta E. Lynch expressed her grateful appreciation to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Drug Enforcement Administration in New York, the New York City Police Department, and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Warren and Pamela Chen.

The Defendants:

Name: DOMINGO SALAZAR
Age: 35

Name: NORMA MENDEZ
Age: 33

 

 

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