A Mexican national has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for forcing an 18-year-old woman into commercial sex acts, following years of abuse and exploitation. Clemente Melendez Gutierrez, 42, pleaded guilty on August 1 and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett to the statutory maximum of 120 months.
According to court documents, Melendez Gutierrez recruited the victim in Mexico in 2007 under the guise of a romantic relationship. He then isolated her at his parents’ house and informed her she would have to begin working in commercial sex. When she refused, he physically abused her before forcing her into commercial sex acts at a hotel in Mexico.
Days later, Melendez Gutierrez arranged for the victim to be smuggled across the U.S. border and brought her to Houston. There, he told her she owed him thousands of dollars for transportation costs and forced her to work at a cantina performing commercial sex acts in hidden rooms as repayment. He set nightly quotas for earnings and used violence when those quotas were not met. The victim was made to work at multiple locations until she escaped in 2013.
Investigators determined that between 2005 and 2021, Melendez Gutierrez repeated this pattern with other women and girls.
Nicholas J. Ganjei, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, stated: “The damage inflicted by this defendant is immeasurable. Melendez Gutierrez subjected his victims to years of physical, mental, and sexual abuse in pursuit of his own personal profit,” said Ganjei. “Today’s sentence underscores our office’s steadfast pursuit of those who prey upon and exploit women for financial gain. Let it be known – human trafficking has no home in the Southern District of Texas.”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division added: “The defendant preyed upon this vulnerable victim and used physical abuse to coerce her to travel to the United States and to engage in commercial sex for his own financial gain,” said Dhillon. “This sentence reflects the severity of the defendant’s conduct, and the DOJ will relentlessly prosecute and hold accountable those who abuse and exploit others for financial gain.”
FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams commented: “Today’s sentence brings long-awaited, and overdue, justice for the victim who was subjected to years of abuse and exploitation at the hands of Melendez Gutierrez,” said Williams. “Unfortunately, the physical, mental, and emotional manipulation and trauma the victim suffered at the hands of this ‘suitor-turned-monster’ will remain with her forever. His long-awaited prison sentence reflects the tireless work and unwavering dedication of the investigators, victim specialists, and prosecutors who through the years stood alongside the victim to ensure her voice was heard and her suffering acknowledged. While no prison sentence can erase the pain and trauma his victims endured, our hope is that today’s outcome represents accountability, justice, and a step toward healing and hope.”
Chad Plantz from Homeland Security Investigations Houston stated: “With today’s sentence we have removed a dangerous predator from the community who used physical and sexual abuse, threats of violence[,]and psychological manipulation to groom[]and control his victims[]and force them[]to engage[]in commercial sex[]for his own profit,” said Plantz.“Working alongside our partners we exposed his criminal scheme[]and helped ensure he was held fully accountable[]for his actions[]and[]the harm caused[]to[]the victims.”
The investigation involved FBI Houston Field Office personnel along with Immigration & Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations agents as well as members from Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S.Attorney Lauren Valenti (Southern District Of Texas) together with Trial Attorneys Lindsey Roberson & Matthew Thiman (Civil Rights Division's Criminal Section).
Individuals with information about human trafficking are encouraged contact National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org . Additional details about Department Of Justice efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking .
