SAVANNAH, GA—Joaquin Mendez-Hernandez, also known as “El Flaco,” 35, formerly of Mexico, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge B. Avant Edenfield to life in prison for his role in a sex trafficking conspiracy that exploited dozens of women. The investigation into this conspiracy, dubbed Operation Dark Night, has resulted in the conviction of 23 defendants and the rescue of 12 victims.
United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver stated, “It is reprehensible that an international sex trafficking organization set up shop within our very own communities. This organization destroyed the lives of many victims through fear, violence, and intimidation, all for the love of money. Those responsible will now pay the price in a federal prison.”
“While it is extremely satisfying to see these defendants held accountable for their atrocious crimes, the clear victory in this case was the rescue of their victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Brock D. Nicholson, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and the Carolinas. “From the testimony they provided in court, these women have begun to rebuild their lives, and I applaud their bravery and courage in confronting their abusers and rejecting the roles they were forced into.”
According to evidence presented during numerous guilty plea and sentencing hearings, local and federal law enforcement agencies identified and dismantled an international sex trafficking enterprise that spread from Mexico to Savannah, Georgia. Members of the organization enticed women from Mexico, Nicaragua, and elsewhere to travel to the United States with false promises of the American Dream. Once inside the United States, the women were threatened and forced to commit acts of prostitution at numerous locations in Savannah and throughout the southeast. Women were forced to engage in sexual activity with as many as 50 people a day. To make sure the women complied, members of the organization threatened the women, used violence against them, and held children hostage in Mexico. Members of the organization would also trade their victims to other members who operated in other states, such as Florida and North and South Carolina.
Each of the 23 defendants arrested in Operation Dark Night have pled guilty and been sentenced. Two additional defendants, Eugenio Prieto-Hernandez and Daniel Ribon-Gonzalez, remain fugitives. A listing of the defendants and their sentences or fugitive status is below.
Twelve victims were rescued as a part of Operation Dark Night. HSI provides relief to victims of human trafficking by allowing for their continued presence in the United States during criminal proceedings.
Operation Dark Night Defendants
Eugenio Prieto-Hernandez: Fugitive
Joaquin Mendez-Hernandez (a/k/a “El Flaco”): Life in prison
Juan Carlos Pena: 240 months in prison
Luisa Capilla-Lancho: 60 months in prison
Jorge Lira-Xochicale: 66 months in prison
Mayer Sanchez-Calderon: 180 months in prison
Claudio Sanchez-Calderon: 180 months in prison
Omar Peralta-Rodriquez: 37 months in prison
Neurby Celenia Diaz: 72 months in prison
Antonio Ubaldo Mendez-Lopez: 46 months in prison
Cesar Aguilar-Rebollar: 21 months in prison
Sylvia Barrera: 27 months in prison
David Reyes: 18 months in prison
Antonio Ramirez-Catalan: 48 months in prison
Jose Ricardo Vazquez-Garcia: 36 months in prison
Daniel Ribon-Gonzalez: Fugitive
Marisol Ferreriras: 13 months in prison
Paresh Patel: Seven months in prison
Sergio Valazquez Martinez: 12 months in prison
Fernando Pelayo Silverio: 18 months in prison
Arturo Salquil-Gomez: 12 months in prison
Jose Hernandez Trujillo: 25 months in prison
Silvstre Aguilar Sayago: 27 months in prison
Rodolfo Hernandez Guiterrez: 23 months in prison
Alex Martinez Moncon: 22 months in prison
