Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Mexican woman has been charged with facilitating the transportation of two females from Mexico into the United States for the purpose of prostitution. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The accused, Jaqueline Rios Garcia De La Cadena, aged 33, will attend a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott Hacker. The hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m.
According to the charges, on April 2, Garcia De La Cadena and two other women traveled individually to the United States via the Hidalgo International port of entry. All three are reportedly Mexican nationals carrying B1/B2 visitor visas and were subjected to secondary inspections.
It is alleged that Garcia De La Cadena orchestrated the travel arrangements for the women to go to Houston for engaging in prostitution. She is accused of paying for their transportation from Mexico to McAllen, Texas, and making additional travel plans for their journey to Houston, where they were supposed to meet unknown individuals for paid sexual activities.
The complaint states Garcia De La Cadena instructed the women to use separate pedestrian lanes at the U.S. port of entry to avoid drawing attention. She is also alleged to have previously facilitated a similar trip to Houston for one of the women involved.
The investigation is jointly conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection. Prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexa D. Parcell.
As highlighted in the complaint, a criminal complaint denotes a formal accusation but does not constitute evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty through legal proceedings.
