Human Rights and Special Prosecutions (HRSP)

Promoting justice by prosecuting human rights violators and other international criminals

The Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) primarily investigates and prosecutes cases against human rights violators and other international criminals. HRSP investigates and prosecutes human rights violators for genocide, torture, war crimes, recruitment or use of child soldiers, female genital mutilation, international antiquities trafficking, and for immigration and naturalization fraud arising out of efforts to hide their involvement in such crimes. HRSP also prosecutes perpetrators of other international violent crimes, particularly those involving the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) or occurring within the Special Maritime & Territorial Jurisdiction of the United States (SMTJ). Finally, HRSP prosecutes members of international criminal networks who seek to evade our immigration laws, such as by smuggling persons into the United States. In addition to its prosecutorial activities, HRSP is actively engaged in policy work, both domestically and internationally.

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HRSP News

Colombian National Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Participating in Human Smuggling Event that Resulted in the Rape and Murder of Cuban Nationals

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

A Colombian national was sentenced to 180 months in prison for his role in a scheme to smuggle illegal aliens from Colombia into the United States, which resulted in the rape of one and the death of two Cuban nationals.

Bangladeshi National Arrested in Houston to Face Charges for a Conspiracy to Bring Aliens into the United States

Friday, November 30, 2018

A Bangladeshi national residing in Monterrey, Mexico, was arrested yesterday on arrival at George Bush Intercontinental Airport to face a criminal indictment issued in the Laredo Division of the Southern District of Texas for his role in a scheme to smuggle aliens from Mexico into the United States.

Identity Documents Trafficker Arraigned on Identification Fraud and Conspiracy Charges

Thursday, November 29, 2018

A seller of identity documents was arraigned today, after being extradited from El Salvador, on a superseding indictment charging one count of conspiracy to possess and transfer identity documents, one count of conspiracy to commit human smuggling for financial gain, and 40 counts of aggravated identity theft, in relation to a scheme to traffic the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and corresponding identity documents.