Mexican Citizen Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Drug Distribution and Firearms Charges and Transporting Women in Interstate Commerce for Purposes of Prostitution

Matthew Krueger, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 6, 2019, Jose Facio-Santos (age 39), a Mexican citizen, pleaded guilty to three felony counts related to drug distribution, illegal firearm possession, and the transportation of a female in interstate commerce for purposes of prostitution. Specifically, this includes one count of distribution of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C); one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 922(g)(5); and one count of transporting and aiding and abetting the transportation of an individual in interstate commerce with the purpose being for the individual to engage in prostitution, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, §§ 2421 and 2.

According to admissions made in connection with his plea, Facio-Santos led a prostitution brothel from his Milwaukee residence from approximately 2013 through October 2018. On a weekly basis, he traveled to various pre-determined meet locations to pick up a different woman, whom he then prostituted at his residence, expecting each to perform a certain number of sex acts during that week in which she stayed at his residence. Facio-Santos collected payment for the woman's services and promoted his prostitution brothel through the use of business cards and mass text messages each week broadcasting the woman he transported back to his house. Facio-Santos’ Milwaukee brothel was connected to a network of out-of-state brothels.

In addition to the operation of his Milwaukee brothel, Facio-Santos was also involved in trafficking cocaine, heroin, and firearms, mostly from his Milwaukee residence. During the investigation, Facio-Santos sold two firearms, specifically, a Romarm WASR rifle with a 30-round magazine, and a Norinco SKS rifle, also containing a high-capacity magazine, to an individual acting under the direction and control of law enforcement. Furthermore, as part of the investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Facio-Santos’ residence, at which time they located, among other items, a 9 mm Smith and Wesson, semi-automatic pistol, which had previously been reported stolen.

Facio-Santos faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to 20 years for his drug trafficking, up to 10 years for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, and up to 10 years for transporting women for purposes of prostitution. He also faces up to life on supervised release and deportation from the United States. His sentencing hearing is set for December 17, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Pamela Pepper.

The case was investigated by Milwaukee Police Department, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karine Moreno-Taxman and Elizabeth M. Monfils.

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