TEXAS - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) made more than 20 arrests and rescued four victims in human trafficking operations conducted in the Permian Basin throughout the month of January.
The four victims who were rescued were ages 16 months, 7, 18 and 23-years-old.
The Arrests
Infant Rescue:
DPS agents, Homeland Security and the Odessa Police Department worked together in an investigation to rescue an infant who was being sexually assaulted.
Leiwin Lara-Hernandez, 23, and Cleyret Pacheco-Peraza, both of Cuba, were arrested for aggravated sexual assault of a child, possession of child pornography and promotion of child pornography – all felony charges.
The child rescued is 16 months old.
Child Sexual Assault Arrest:
DPS Special Agents helped the Monahans Police Department with a sexual assault investigation.
Botero Hernandez, 27, of Columbia was arrested.
Hernandez is charged with sexual assault of a child, a third-degree felony.
Sex Trafficking Victim Rescue:
DPS Special Agents worked jointly with the FBI and Midland Police Department on a human trafficking operation that resulted in the rescue of a victim of sex trafficking and two arrests.
Kimberly Rodriguez, 34, and Jayde Guerrero, 21, both of Texas, were arrested and charged with sex trafficking, a second-degree felony.
The victim's age was not included in the information connected to this case.
Child Pornography:
DPS Special Agents helped Ector County ISD Police with a sexual assault investigation that ended in the arrest of Bobby Lynn Harris, 66, of Texas for possession of child pornography, a third-degree felony.
Solicitation of Prostitution:
Fifteen people were arrested for solicitation of prostitution, a state jail felony. They are from Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico.
- Jacob Urena, 26, of Oklahoma
- Julian Asbiel Hernandez, 27, of Texas
- Jason Lutkenhaus, 42, of Texas
- Kenneth Kuethe, 69, of Texas
- Gayton Rodriguez, 29, of Mexico
- Raymond Ford, 61, of Oklahoma
- Dennis Ruhmann, 53, of Texas
- John Bishop, 56, of Texas
- Brandon Lopez, 30, of Texas
- Miguel Rostro, 34, of Texas
- Larry Rodriguez, 31, of Texas
- Jeffrey Wilson, 56, of Texas
- Jason Flowers, 49, of Texas
- Evan Palmer, 18, of Texas
- Fernando Cardosa, 40, of Texas
Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. These collaborative operations with local, state and federal law enforcement partners targeted individuals seeking to exploit and victimize trafficking victims and identified and apprehended individuals suspected of human trafficking.
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion in any type of labor exploitation or commercial sex act – or when an individual under the age of 18 is involved in commercial sex. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, and it occurs in every state, every day, and often goes unnoticed by communities.
What they're saying:
"This was a very successful operation due to the outstanding collaboration of multiple agencies working towards combating human trafficking," said DPS West Texas Regional Director Jose Sanchez. "Human trafficking is on the rise, and we need the community's assistance in reporting human trafficking; if you see something, please say something."
"Human trafficking is a heinous crime that preys on the most vulnerable in our society," said Colonel Freeman F. Martin. "We are committed to working tirelessly with our partners to identify and rescue victims, hold traffickers accountable and empower our communities with the knowledge they need to recognize and report suspicious activity. It will take all of us to stop it."
What you can do:
If you see signs of human trafficking, call 911 immediately to report it and be ready to give as many details as possible. You can also make a report on iWatchTexas or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text "BeFree" to 233733.
The Source: Information in this article is from The Texas Department of Public Safety.