Moultrie suspects charged with human trafficking

MOULTRIE — Federal authorities arrested three Moultrie residents in connection with sex trafficking Thursday, along with 26 additional suspects in eight southeastern states.

According to a media release by the U.S. Department of Justice, Jose Roberto Laines, 59, Carmen Michelle Pecina, 42, and Galdino Benitez, 57, of Moultrie were arrested at the start of “Operation Safe Haven,” led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations. The operation had previously identified an organization coordinating the movements of Hispanic females throughout the southeastern United States, for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

“Sometimes the trafficking victims are kidnapped and forced into sexual servitude through violence,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore in a statement. “Other times the victims are lured with the promise of a better life, then held hostage by predators who literally financially imprison them or intimidate them with threats of harm or shame to them or their families.”

The release states that the federal indictment charges six people with conspiracy to participate in the sex trafficking of a minor, while 38 people are charged with conspiracy to transport a person in interstate commerce for prostitution. Nine suspects remain at large.

According to the DOJ, defendants face up to life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine if convicted for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor. Individuals convicted of conspiracy to transport a person in interstate commerce for purposes of prostitution or promoting prostitution may serve up to five years in prison plus a $250,000 fine.

Operation Safe Haven is the first major investigation supported by the Joint Task Force for Investigations (JTF-I) since it became fully operational in July, the DOJ states. In addition, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations has been involved with the operation since July 2014, with the Jacksonville Air and Marine Branch flying more than 115 flight hours in 38 separate missions.

Anyone who suspects instances of human trafficking can call 1-866-347-2423 or the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Anonymous calls are accepted.