BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) – A husband and wife were found guilty of running a human trafficking operation in Boston.
After an eight-day trial, a Suffolk Superior Court jury found Rafael Henriquez, 40, and Ramona Carpio Hernandez, 52, both of East Boston, guilty on the charges of trafficking in persons for sexual servitude, being an owner of a house of prostitution, deriving support from prostitution, and keeping a house of ill fame.
Diego Suarez, 36, of Chelsea, was found guilty on the charges of being an owner of a house of prostitution, deriving support from prostitution, and keeping a house of ill fame, according to Attorney General Martha Coakley's office.
"These defendants ran a criminal enterprise that targeted and exploited women for their own personal profit," Coakley said. "Today's convictions are an important step in our efforts to combat human trafficking. We thank HSI for their important work throughout this case."
The convictions came after a joint, months-long investigation and grand jury investigation, which revealed that Hernandez and Henriquez were the leaders of a human trafficking operation that transported women into the area to engage in the sex trade. The women were living in terrible conditions and asked to perform sexual acts up to 15 times per day, officials say. The investigation also provided evidence that Suarez assisted with the daily operations of the organization and supervised one of the locations.
All three defendants are currently being held without bail and will be sentenced Feb. 26.