Sex Slavery Ring Exploited Illegals
Federal, state, and local authorities busted a sex-slavery ring here in Minneapolis last night, arresting at least 25 people and closing down eight brothels. The women involved all appear to have been illegal immigrants exploited by coyotes for their pimping business:
The women came mostly from Mexico and Central America.When they arrived in Minnesota, the women had their passports and other identifying documents taken away and they were forced into a world of prostitution. In one night, two women serviced more than 80 men in a south Minneapolis house.
On Monday, in what might be one of the biggest such cases in Minnesota, 25 people were charged in federal court with running eight brothels. Eighteen of the suspects are illegal immigrants, according to an indictment filed in U.S. District Court.
This is a horrific case, and one which points out the need for strong border control. The men conned the women into crossing the border, and then they took advantage of their illegal status to force them into prostitution. The pimps forced one woman to service over 40 men in a single night.
How did the ring get discovered? In a tragic note, a slain police officer discovered the operation shortly before he got shot and killed by a drunk:
The arrests also were credited to slain St. Paul police Sgt. Jerry Vick, who two years ago this month was killed while doing undercover work.St. Paul Assistant Police Chief Nancy DiPerna said that Vick had discovered a prostitution ring involving Mexican and Central American women. A foundation created in his name applied for a federal grant to continue that investigation after his death, she said.
This shows that border security affects the entire country. Minnesota sits 1,500 miles from the southern border, and yet the Star Tribune notes that human trafficking is a rising problem here. Last year, the legislature discovered that 43% of human service agencies in the state had provided assistance to victims of human trafficking -- and yet no one had ever been charged with the crime, at least until now.
Regardless of whether one agrees that normalization should accompany border security, the need for border control seems rather obvious. The ability of these coyotes to spirit women across the border to staff their brothels -- against the will of the women involved -- creates an almost incalculable cost of human misery and exploitation.
Posted by Ed Morrissey on May 22, 2007 11:49 AM | Comments (17) | TrackBacks (1)
Comments (17)
Posted by Carol Herman | May 22, 2007 12:29 PM
Okay.
Given that we import fruits and vegetables. And, we pay farmers NOT to grow stuff; there's nothing out there that's a big surprise to anyone, anymore.
All the clothes you wear? Made in places like China, or India. Or Pakistan. Or just about any place on earth, where there's a port, nearby.
Heck, even our best drugs come from overseas.
But the sex trade. Now, there ya go. Men, it seems, don't want quick flights to China. They want their massages here. When they want them.
America's not the only trade where men with money can buy sex. ALL first world countries have this for sale!
How are the "sex slaves" rounded up? Ya think they're "captured" ... and dragged away. Or do ya think dames "apply?"
Hey. I'm just asking.
Oh, yeah. Not all "Sex slaves" are illegal, either.
But there was a time a man paid a price for diddling. How? He got pimples. That would show up "afta." And, sometimes? Just so you know people were clued in? They'd CLAP.
Again, IF you're gonna set your markers down, so that stupid stuff is ILLEGAL; ya gonna have to come up with something "better."
In lots of cases? The men don't even talk. So, it's hard to know if they're purchasing a product that speaks English. Or not. Nor, do I think most men even give a gosh darn.
Until they get those pimples, that is.
You can't "legalize" health into this one, folks.
Nor can you claim we're "different." Sex trading goes on everywhere. And, under lots of other flags.
Call me unimpressed. I've learned to shrug when you tell me stuff, to which I know there are no handy-dandy solutions. Just human behaviors at work.
Posted by Rich J | May 22, 2007 12:34 PM
I watched the report on Kare 11 last night. Mike Pomeranz called the women "unauthorized immigrants".
Posted by Dan Collins | May 22, 2007 12:39 PM
How many Minnesota Vikings are implicated? Har har har.
Posted by Sandy P | May 22, 2007 12:57 PM
Some had passports??????
Posted by SWLiP | May 22, 2007 1:21 PM
It's quite likely that most of the customers of these brothels were illegal immigrants, as well. So the lack of border enforcement has the effect of encouraging both demand and supply.
Posted by Jim | May 22, 2007 1:43 PM
Capt says: "Regardless of whether one agrees that normalization should accompany border security, the need for border control seems rather obvious. "
Obvious to whom? Certainly not to ICE or INS or the FBI, or to Jorge Bush, or to Senor McCain, or to El Kennedy or to........etc., etc., etc. If there was a "need" for "border control" in THEIR minds, then we could and would "control the border" now wouldn't we?
How much of that fence is built so far? Two miles? How much are the Feds really prosecuting iand deporting llegals? Oh that's right, they aren't. How bout those employer penalties/sanctions - boy those are tough now aren't they.
I saw some documentary on the history channel about how the Army Corps of Engineers built that Alaska road in WW II. Something like 1800 miles in two years - through unimaginably difficult conditions - permafrost, boulders, thick forests, etc., etc....with of course 1942 technology and equipt. And we have people who say a 700 mile stretch of FENCE, along with lots more armed guards, trenches, sensor equip to detect tunnels, "virtual" equipt, dogs, etc....."can't" work??
Where there is a will, there is easily a way.....but that pesky little problem of lack of any sort of will.......THAT will be our downfall. Shame, really. It was a great country ....I feel sad for my kids and future grandkids....
I have a dumb question: If Mexicans want to come to this "Country" because it is better than what is available for them in Mexico, how does it help future generations of Mexicans if we turn this Country INTO Mexico? Which is what the onslaught of 40-80 million of them over the next 10-15 years will do, won't it? Is it not more rather than less humane for future hungry Mexican migrant workers, for us to have sovereign borders and maintain our unique national character? Just wondering.
Posted by RBMN | May 22, 2007 1:44 PM
I heard a great explanation of the border barrier solution.
Obviously any barrier can be overcome given enough time, including a double fence. Mexicans know how to use cutting torches too. So it has to be associated with enough border agents to capture the intruders in a timely manner. What determines the type of "barrier" (fence, sensors, cameras, etc.) and the number of border agents involved is a factor of what's beyond that specific part of the border. What's beyond is what determines the "time window" for apprehension of intruders on the American side.
In some cases there's an American city on our side of the border, about a football field away. That requires the strongest fences and the most agents. We may have only 10 minutes between the time they cut through the first fence and the time we lose them in the population.
But in other cases, crossing the line on the map is the least of the illegal's problem. From there, they might have miles and miles of empty desert to cross. The key is knowing exactly when they cross, exactly where they cross, and exactly where the intruders are at this minute. In some cases, border agents might track them for hours before they ever try to apprehend them. Agents can pick their spot--maybe a funnel in the landscape that makes it easier and safer to round them up there. So in some cases, a physical fence may add about 1% to the important time window for apprehension. Not nearly the best use of money in this high-tech age.
So choosing barriers (double fence, or sensors, or surveillance, etc.) and the number of agents should depend on the time window for apprehension, and the time window depends on where exactly they cross.
Posted by Joe Deegan | May 22, 2007 1:45 PM
I am terribly sadened to read about what is happening to these women. To promise a girl a better life and then sell her into slavery is about the lowest thing anyone can do.
Joe
Posted by Carol Herman | May 22, 2007 2:27 PM
Joe Deegan, it's worse when it's a forced marriage. And, then, worse yet, again, when your mate is your first cousin. Not that anyone's listening.
As to prostitution, it's a business as old as the hills.
And, I'm with Fred Thompson. The IMMIGRATION BILL IS DEAD.
The polticians hate it, when they find something they want to do in secret; and the noise gets out.
How far out?
I doubt there's a single congress citter, whose phones didn't ring off the hook.
As to McCain? He's done. Stick a fork in him.
But NOTICE, on his way down, all the other GOP candidates he wants to take OUT.
This should also prove another thing to ya. Having the press in your corner, ain't what it used to be.
And, in political "talk?" I think Fred doesn't have to worry until Labor Day rolls around. And, he ROLLS OUT.
Right now? It's pre-production. But it can have, ahead, just the same, "HIT" written all over it. Should make the show, ahead, much more entertaining.
While the idiots who "did up" their immigration plan, without counting on public feedback; are now what? Talking about prostitutes discovering America?
Call me surprised. Okay. Call me "not-surprised." Nor do most people think about the "work" prostitutes have to do. Know why? It's not a humanitarian award's winner. Never was. Just poon.
And, you can't do it if you don't, well, you know, stop locking your kneecaps, together.
Anyway, don't mind me. Keep dressing up prostitution in new clothing. There are always volunteers who will come along "to halp da girls."
And, polticians who PRAY they can change the subject off of border fences. And, angry American communities. Lots of 'em. Let alone, prisons, now divided by ... inmates of one color, here. And, Spanish speaking inmates, there. And, rich ones who can buy better cells. Just in case their lawyers can't get them off.
I'd also bet, buried in the legislation is MORE MONEY FOR LAWYERS.
While the cesspool for journalists stopped growing. Replaced by locals with cameras in their cell phones, I guess?
But as much as you expect things to be the same, t'marra; I guess you won't fall short of wommen who sells sex for money. In every single language on earth!
Are we using our jails properly?
Posted by Joselito | May 22, 2007 4:21 PM
Remember the saying " Where there's a will, there's a way"? Well its converse is true also. Where there is no will, there is no way.
When I heard the first far right conservative tell me that the liberals and democrats opposed controlling immigration because they expected to gain 30 million voters out of the situation, I laughed and accused the guy of being paranoid. Could that be true? Are modern day democrats, greedy for power, going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg? Will they wreck the country just to win elections? I don't want to believe it, but how can it not be true?
Posted by NahnCee | May 22, 2007 4:43 PM
If they won't build my fence, then let's turn it around and see if Mexico is interested in becoming a state in the United States of America. In return for abolishing the border, all Mexicans would be required to learn English, all cops would be required to resign and then to be rehired or not depending upon outside evaluations, and the current Mexican government would also be required to resign.
American law enforcement could go in and go after drug dealers, people smugglers, and terrorist protectors. Mexicans would also be required to *immediately* start paying state and federal taxes to the United States of America. American business could expand into Mexico or could hire out of Mexico as they liked. American unions would be invited to unionize Mexican laborers, thereby pricing them out of the lettuce-picking market.
I'm sure these Latina prostitutes have very sad stories, but as far as I am concerned, there are 12 million very sad stories of other illegals out there too, and I'm just sad-story-fatigued out. STAY HOME and you won't end up servicing 40 men per night if you're so damned dumb you let someone take your passport away from you! (What passport, if the silly cows are illegals?)
Like the man said in frustration, sorrow and anger, "Frankly, Scarlett - I don't give a damn!"
Posted by richard_223 | May 22, 2007 4:57 PM
Gosh Ed, even you are starting to sound like a 'hardliner' today!
Posted by Maverick Muse | May 22, 2007 5:32 PM
Wikipedia:
"Interstate 35 (abbreviated I-35) is an interstate highway running north-south in the central United States. It stretches from Laredo, Texas on the U.S.-Mexico border to Duluth, Minnesota"...
With connections at international borders, Interstate 35 flows from Mexico to Canada. You're not really surprised that illegals go beyond Texas to the north since supply and demand calls them to your neck of the woods, Captain.
Argh, sex slavery in America! Yuck. But I'm not completely sure that the females couldn't have run away to those honorable jobs that propagandists keep saying Americans won't perform--dishwashing, housecleaning, waitressing. Worst comes to worst, why not hitchhike back home to Mexico?!
Enforce current law.
Send all of the illegals home to start their legal path to immigration. That will be no more difficult to accomplish than to actually accomplish the promises in this new comprehensive bill.
Posted by richard_223 | May 22, 2007 5:47 PM
Is this the case that nearly set off a riot in Minneapolis when immigartion authorities came to make the arrests?
On the other hand, I suppose you could look at this as just another case of immigrants doing jobs
Americans won't do!
Posted by Scrapiron | May 22, 2007 7:08 PM
Will they bust a few hundred 'johns' also? Be a good time to get some of the high ranking democrat slave traiders for using and abusing the slaves they brought into the country illegally.
Posted by rmg777 | May 22, 2007 7:16 PM
just doing the jobs Americans wont do ??????
Posted by jaeger51 | May 22, 2007 9:41 PM
Why do the amnesty proponents continue to claim that it's impossible to round up and deport all the illegals? What could be easier?
Build the fence, secure the border, then deport them as you catch them. Sooner or later, they'll be gone unless they truly are doing a necessary job without attracting any attention from the police. Oh, and vote out all the useless Republicrats when they make themselves obvious, too.....