A federal judge on Tuesday ordered pre-trial detention for two women accused of scheming with 10 others in a multi-state prostitution ring busted last week.
Sylvia Barrera of Warner Robins, who federal prosecutors said transported women forced to perform prostitution, and Neruby C. Diaz, who was identified as a “pimp,” will remain in custody pending trial, U.S. Magistrate Judge G.R. Smith ruled.
They were among a dozen individuals charged in an eight-count indictment unsealed last week in connection with a sex-trafficking conspiracy between 2008 and January to lure young women from Mexico and Central America into Savannah and other Georgia cities for interstate prostitution. Conspirators also operated in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina, the indictment charged.
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Federal officials have described the crimes, discovered in “Operation Dark Night,” as “a major sex-trafficking and prostitution ring.”
Ten of the group have been apprehended and two, including Paresh Patel of Savannah, remain at large. Four of the six apprehended and taken before a federal judge last week were under Immigration and Customs Enforcement holds and ineligible for bonds. Four were apprehended in other jurisdictions.
Prosecutors said the investigation is continuing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tania D. Groover told Smith women used in the scheme were taken across state lines, harbored at various residences and forced to perform sexual activity for money, often as many as 30 acts in a day.
The conduct would continue at the locations for about a week, then the women would be traded like property for another week’s service, she said. At times, some of those women were raped, she added.
Barrera was a driver for another member of the scheme out of Macon, the prosecutor said. Diaz, identified in the indictment as “Dona Rosa,” was a pimp operating out of Baxley, trading women and transporting them, Groover said.
Groover also told Smith members of the conspiracy were “afraid of other members” and that, “for her own safety,” Barrera may flee if released.
Defense attorney Mark Hendrix told Smith Barrera lived in a trailer in Warner Robins where she is the caregiver for her 65-year-old mother and three children.
He agreed the facts in the case were “sickening” but argued Barrera’ role “simply as a driver” made her participation “minimal.”
Smith, calling the alleged crimes “horrendous,” said the “evidence is strong.”
He set a $25,000 bond, but only if Barrera could come up with assets to post it and said he would reconsider the detention order at that time.
In Diaz’s case, Groover told Smith, “She was a pimp actually using women for prostitution” and transporting women across state lines.
Defense attorney Arvo Henifin told Smith he was without an interpreter when he met with Diaz on Monday and would need one present so he could explain to her the crimes she faced.
He also conceded she had no immediate assets to post any bond amount.