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Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –
Nine Venezuelan nationals have pleaded guilty to multiple charges in connection with what prosecutors describe as a brutal sex trafficking ring operating in Nashville that lured women to Tennessee with promises of work, then trapped them through violence, threats, and debt.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Middle Tennessee, the aliens targeted vulnerable Venezuelan women, arranging and facilitating their smuggling into the U.S. on the promise of employment. Once in Nashville, the women were told they owed an inflated smuggling debt which could only be repaid through commercial sex work.
Those who resisted faced threats of physical harm to themselves and their families in Venezuela. The smugglers further profited by taking a cut of the women’s earnings in addition to collecting on the inflated debts.
The leaders of the operation were identified as a mother and son duo, Yilibeth Carmen Rivero-de Caldera and Kleiver Daniel Mota Rivero, who court documents say worked with their relatives, spouses, and others to recruit the women, arrange their travel into the U.S., advertise them online for commercial sex, schedule appointments, and collect the money.
Prosecutors say the mother Rivero-de Caldera, son Monta Rivero, and another individual, Ramon De Jesus Velasquez Martinez, often used threats of violence, including firearms, to intimidate and control the women. Investigators also say Monta Rivero and others made victims believe he had ties to a violent Venezuelan prison gang and openly talked about a previous sentence for homicide.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations stared developing the case in 2023 when agents obtained information about a woman known as “Yibi”, who they suspected was trafficking Hispanic women for commercial sex in Nashville. During a joint operation involving state, federal, and local agencies, investigators identified more than a dozen victims working out of two Nashville-area hotels, with some victims discovered upon rescue to reportedly have been brought from other Central and South American countries beyond Venezuela.
The following individuals pleaded guilty in connection with the case on various charges:
- Yilibeth Carmen Rivero-de Caldera, Kleiver Daniel Mota Rivero, Endrik Alexander Morales-Rivero, & Frankyanna Del Valle Romero-Rivero: sex trafficking conspiracy, conspiracy to bring aliens to the U.S. for financial gain, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- Ramon De Jesus Velasquez Martinez &Yuribetzi Del Valle Gomez Machuca: sex trafficking conspiracy.
- Wilmarys Del Valle Manzano Solorzano: conspiracy to bring aliens to the U.S. for financial gain and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- Ariannys Beatriz Gutierrez-Carrillo: sex trafficking conspiracy
- Jesus Enrique Castillo Rodriguez: sex trafficking conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Eight defendants pleaded guilty to charges carrying maximum penalties of life in prison while the ninth pleaded guilty to charges carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years. All are scheduled to be sentenced the week of November 16, according to the DOJ.
“We have said it before, and these guilty pleas reiterate: if you lure vulnerable people to this country with lies, force them into sexual exploitation, and profit from their suffering, we will find you, dismantle your operation, and hold you accountable,” said Director David Rausch of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. “This case is a powerful reminder that when our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners stand together, there is no haven for human traffickers.”
At the time of the arrests, authorities offered the victims resources through partner nonprofits, including Ancora TN, Rescue One Global, Thistle Farms, and Catholic Charities. Seven of the women accepted services.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
2 Responses
Were any “customers” apprehended, arrested or at least publicly shamed? I’m grateful the victims were rescued and the traffickers were arrested, hopefully soon to be deported, but something must be done about those who seek these services. They are the lifeblood of the traffickers.
Good, thanx! Now deport and terminate if any return.