The police in Glendale, Los Angeles, apprehended Cuban national Emmanuel Garcia Guzman, who is accused of trafficking immigrants from the island and forcing them into prostitution. According to the report, Guzman was arrested on Friday during an undercover operation in the Californian city. This operation is part of the United States' efforts to combat human trafficking involving Cuban citizens in areas such as Houston, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Miami, as reported by 13News.
Court documents indicate that Guzman is in the country illegally but has a residence in Texas. According to the court records, an undercover detective arranged a transaction for sex with one of the trafficked women. Guzman drove the woman to a hotel near Interstate 10 and Avondale Boulevard on Friday night. The woman entered the hotel while Guzman stayed in the car, at which point he was arrested. Authorities informed the woman that she was not being detained and offered her resources, but she declined.
The victim later revealed that she was in the United States illegally and had turned to prostitution to support her family in Cuba. "She mentioned that she was forced into this work due to financial necessity. She has three children and a mother in Cuba, to whom she constantly sends money to help them survive," stated Moroni Mendez, spokesperson for the Glendale Police Department.
Initially, Guzman claimed he was making DoorDash deliveries at the hotel, but he later admitted to bringing the young woman to the location. The Glendale police have identified apartments, hotels, and houses in the West Valley where Cuban women are forced into prostitution and believe that Guzman was transporting them from their residences to the meeting places for sexual exchanges.
The detainee has been incarcerated on charges of transportation for the purpose of prostitution, a class 5 felony. "We do not know the extent of his involvement or the level he occupies within this organization. Nor do we know the organization's size," clarified Mendez, indicating that the investigation is ongoing.
He added that the police's main objective is to help the victims and noted that there is a Family Support Center in Glendale that assists human trafficking victims.
Understanding Human Trafficking Involving Cuban Nationals
Here are some frequently asked questions to better understand the human trafficking situation involving Cuban nationals.
What are the charges against Emmanuel Garcia Guzman?
Emmanuel Garcia Guzman faces charges of transportation for the purpose of prostitution, a class 5 felony.
How did the police apprehend Guzman?
Guzman was arrested during an undercover operation when he drove a trafficked woman to a hotel for a pre-arranged sex transaction.
What resources are available for trafficking victims in Glendale?
Glendale has a Family Support Center that offers assistance to victims of human trafficking.