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US Justice Department accuses 11 Venezuelans, Colombians of human trafficking, arms smuggling
The US Department of Justice filed a 30-count indictment against 11 Venezuelans and Colombians arrested in operations in Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida. The suspects are accused of forcing a minor girl and an adult woman into prostitution, drug trafficking, and illegal firearms sales.
The US Department of Justice filed a 30-count indictment against 11 Venezuelans and Colombians, including charges of forcing a minor girl and an adult woman into prostitution, drug trafficking, and illegally selling at least nine firearms.
Ten of the suspects are said to be in the US illegally, and 10 were arrested Tuesday in simultaneous operations in Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida. One suspect believed to be abroad remains at large.
According to the indictment, between July and August 2025, the defendants transported a minor girl and an adult woman across state lines for prostitution and created online prostitution ads in the Ohio area. A discrepancy in the Justice Department's announcement noted the victim's age: one section says 17, while a quote says 14.
The group is also accused of selling ecstasy and trafficking nine firearms. Some defendants who are in the country illegally are also charged with possessing firearms.
US Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II said, "Ten of the defendants here today are in our country illegally and are accused of a wide range of illegal trafficking activities from drugs to firearms to human trafficking." Gerace added, "We will not tolerate anyone committing these offenses in our communities, and we will prosecute them to the full extent of the law."
FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie said, "We will continue working to keep Ohio safe by removing drug, firearm, and violent offenders from the streets."
HSI Detroit Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey said the indictment demonstrates the task force's commitment to protecting communities from transnational criminal organizations that exploit vulnerable victims and traffic drugs and weapons.
The six defendants living in Ohio are: Jean Pierre Alejandro Guillen Salcedo (30) and Taidin Adreina Ferrer Guillen (34) from Hilliard; Pedro Angel Colls-Flores (34) and Alismar Daniela Contreras-Arevalo (20) from Columbus; Briyi Daniela Ordonez-Iter (21) from Hilliard; and Julian David Patino Pena (33) from Columbus.
The Venezuelan defendants living in Tennessee are John Alexandre Fajardo-Ulzcategui (27) from Smyrna and Jose Ruben Sanchez-Pena (34) from Smyrna.
The remaining defendants are Keivar Elian Guillen Salcedo (26) from Charlotte, North Carolina; Therry Brayant Leon Gavida (34) from Jacksonville, Florida; and Dervin Alejandro Colmenares Quintero (29), whose residence is Mexico.
The case was brought under the Homeland Security Task Force initiative created by Executive Order 14159 titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion" issued by President Donald Trump. The initiative targets transnational criminal organizations, foreign gangs, human trafficking networks, and violent criminal aliens operating in the US.
The indictment contains only charges, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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