40 arrested in Human Trafficking, Prostitution sting

"Aug. 26, 2009, Members of the Winston-Salem Police Department’s Special Investigations Division initiated an investigation in response to allegations of organized prostitution in Winston-Salem. Due to involvement of suspects outside of Winston-Salem, Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) RAC Winston-Salem partnered in the investigation. The investigation continued until Jan., 2014.
Throughout this time, the investigation revealed that locations in Winston-Salem and throughout North Carolina were being utilized as part of a network of organized prostitution. Further investigation revealed at least five (5) foreign nationals, including one (1) minor, were identified as victims of Sex Trafficking and were trafficked at locations in Winston-Salem. These individuals were removed from the environment and provided access to services available for victims of sex trafficking. The victims’ names will continue to be withheld.
Throughout the investigation, 40 individuals were arrested and charged with a total of 76 charges at both the State and Federal levels. 30 of these individuals were arrested in Winston-Salem. 25 brothels were identified in North Carolina, nine (9) of which were in Winston-Salem. The following individuals were identified as having key roles in the initiation and/or furtherance of organized prostitution and sex trafficking in Winston-Salem:
Mauro Aparicio Hernandez, H/M, 1-29-1963
    1. Address: 1422 Fitch St, Winston-Salem, NC
    2. Location of Arrest: 1422 Fitch St, Winston-Salem, NC
    3. Charges:
                                               i.     8 USC 1328 Importation of Alien for Immoral Purpose
                                             ii.     NCGS 14-43.11 Human Trafficking
                                            iii.     NCGS 14-39 Kidnapping
  1. Augusto Justino Valverde-Morales, H/M, 10-07-1962
    1. Address: 1438 N Cherry St, Winston-Salem, NC
    2. Location of Arrest: 1422 Fitch St, Winston-Salem, NC
    3. Charges:
                                               i.     8 USC 1328 Importation of Alien for Immoral Purpose
                                             ii.     NCGS 14-39 Kidnapping
                                            iii.     NCGS 14-43.11 Human Trafficking
  1. Carmina Canton, H/F, 4-21-1958
    1. Address: 1825 Boulevard St, Greensboro, NC
    2. Location of Arrest: 1825 Boulevard St, Greensboro, NC
    3. Charges:
                                               i.     NCGS 14-204 Maintaining a Dwelling for Prostitution
                                             ii.     NCGS 14-204 Soliciting Prostitution
  1. Deysi Suyapa Rodriguez, H/F, 7-09-1974
    1. Address: 1740 Pleasant St, Winston-Salem, NC
    2. Location of Arrest: 1740 Pleasant St, Winston-Salem, NC
    3. Charges:
                                               i.     NCGS 14-190.18 Contributing to Prostitution of a Minor
                                             ii.     NCGS 14-43.13 Sexual Servitude
                                            iii.     NCGS 20-28 Driving While License Revoked
  1. Fredi Menendes Garcia, H/M, 10-14-1970
    1. Address: 844 Goldfloss St, Winston-Salem, NC
    2. Location of Arrest: 844 Goldfloss St, Winston-Salem, NC
    3. Charges:
                                               i.     NCGS 14-190.18 Contributing to Prostitution of a Minor
                                             ii.     NCGS 14-204 Maintinaing a Dwelling for Prostitution
  1. Lorenzo Espinal Almonte, H/M, 8-10-1979
    1. Address: 4361 Robinhood Rd, Winston-Salem, NC
    2. Location of Arrest: 4361 Robinhood Rd, Winston-Salem, NC
    3. Charges:
                                               i.     18 USC 1952 Use Interstate Commerce to Facilitate Prostitution 
  1. Ondina Lizeht Alonso Hernandez, H/F, 5-05-1981
    1. Address: 4930 Southwin Dr, Winston-Salem, NC
    2. Location of Arrest: 1001 Welch Street,  Taylor, TX
    3. Charges:
                                               i.     18 USC 1591 Sex Trafficking


The following law Enforcement Agencies contributed to the investigation:
Asheboro Police Department
Durham Police Department
Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office
Greensboro Police Department
Guilford County Sheriff’s Office
HSI RAC Columbia (SC)
HSI RAC Charlotte
HSI RAC Raleigh
HSI RAC Winston-Salem
Kernersville Police Department
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
NC Highway Patrol
NC State Bureau of Investigations
Raleigh Police Department
Robeson County Sheriff’s Office
SC Highway Patrol
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol – Jacksonville (FL)
West Columbia Police Department (SC)

Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office"
A Press Release

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