Local Prostitution Ring Exposed

"If you want a young girl for sex, call this number," read the business cards passed out to potential customers.

Austin police did just that, and discovered a human trafficking ring that forced illegal immigrant women to work as prostitutes in exchange for being smuggled into the country.

After a year-long investigation and two undercover operations, police last Friday arrested Gustavo Gonzalez Luna, 50, and Javier Torres Cruz, 24, on charges of aggravated promotion of prostitution. Both were reportedly responsible for driving the women to and from clients around Austin. The women, who came from Mexico and Central America, were housed in two apartments at 10000 North Lamar. One woman questioned by police said that she saw as many as twenty men a day, and was given half of the money she charged at the end of the week.

Cruz claims that he and Luna were hired by an outsider to run the operation, and supplied with a vehicle. Police believe this may be a Houston pimp named Alexis Segura.

"What happens is what you're brought here for and the kind of work you're forced into almost becomes a way of life," said Austin police commander Duane McNeil to News 8. "[It] becomes like the Stockholm syndrome where you feel you become indebted to and comfortable with the person who is holding you against your will."

Austin police haven't decided whether they'll charge the women with prostitution; they're currently under the care of the Victim Services department of the U.S. attorney's office.

Photo by Matt Wright on flickr