Mexican National Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Minor

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Robert C. Hutchinson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, announce that Timoteo Reyes-Perez, 35, of Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra to 20 years in prison. 

Reyes-Perez previously pled guilty to sex trafficking of a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1591(a)(1) and (b)(2).  Reyes-Perez, who was originally charged by authorities in 2008, was a fugitive until last year, when he was extradited to the United States from Mexico.

According to court documents, Reyes-Perez met and married his victim in Mexico when she was 14 years old.  Soon after, Reyes-Perez smuggled her across the border into the United States and proceeded to transport her to New York, Atlanta, and finally, the Southern District of Florida.  Reyes-Perez prostituted the victim at brothels in multiple locations, including West Palm Beach.  At times, she was forced to have sex with up to 30 men per night.  Reyes-Perez kept the proceeds of her prostitution.  At sentencing, the victim spoke about how Reyes-Perez had forced her into prostitution against her will, using physical and sexual violence to ensure her compliance.  She also spoke about the lasting emotional and psychological damage she sustained.

Five other defendants who were also charged in the same indictment pled guilty to sex trafficking of a minor and were sentenced in 2009 to terms of imprisonment ranging from 60 to 160 months.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia S. Choe.

Human trafficking must stop. To report suspected human trafficking occurring in South Florida, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.