Child Trafficker Gets 24 Years in Prison

by Amanda Kloer · 2009-04-07 12:00:00 UTC
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Yesterday, Jorge Flores-Rojas, 44, an undocumented Mexican national, was sentenced to 24 years in prison by Chief Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. for two counts of sex trafficking of minors and one count of interstate transportation of an adult for purposes of commercial sex.  He was sentenced in Charlotte, NC.

According to testimony, in November 2007, Flores-Rojas trafficked a 16-year-old Honduran girl from Washington, D.C. to Charlotte to force her into prostitution.  He repeatedly sexually and physically assaulted and abused her, in order to make her perform the sexual acts.  He also trafficked an adult woman to Charlotte, forcing her to engage in commercial sex as well.

One very interesting detail from the press release is that in addition to his sentence, Flores-Rojas has to pay $117,000 in restitution to his victims.  Including some form of criminal restitution in trafficking convictions is becoming increasingly common, but those orders are incredibly difficult to enforce for a number of reasons.  Many states (as well as the federal law) now offer civil remedies for trafficked persons, which is sometimes a more productive way to get money from the trafficker.  This money is vital for many survivors, as it allows them to pursue educational opportunities, support their families, and rebuild their lives.

While bringing a civil law suit against a trafficker can be a long and painful process, some victims may find it gives them the resources and sense of jutice they need to move forward.  Hopefully, this will continue to be offered as a possibility to victims who cannot get criminal restitution collected.

Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic
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