In November 2010, the mother of one of the victims reported that her daughter was being sexually exploited in Guatemala to the police.
The victim, L.Y.H.V., had been living in Medellín during the months prior to her trip. She had been recruited by H.A.L.R., a.k.a. “Piolo”, in Medellin. This man was charged with the recruitment of women, with improving their physical appearance, sometimes through cosmetic surgery, and preparing the women for their transport to Guatemala. The defendant prepared all the necessary paperwork and instructed the victims about how they should act and what they should say if the immigration authorities questioned them.
Based on the complaint placed by the relatives of one of the victims, the police were able to confirm the existence of 19 other victims of this human trafficking ring. The enticement and recruitment of women was carried out through deceptive offers of employment as models for the company “Latin Models”, whose founder was defendant Jhon Jairo Cuero González, and which served as a front for the organization. Some of the victims underwent cosmetic surgery in Medellin prior to their departure in order to improve their physical appearance.
Once in Guatemala, the victims were transported to houses or “mansions”, where they remained locked up and under the supervision and control of members of the trafficking ring, in order to avoid their escape. After their arrival in Guatemala, the victims’ documents were witheld by their captors, who then informed them of the value of the debt they had incurred in to cover the costs of their transportation and cosmetic sugery – which was double or triple the value of the real cost-, and of the amount they would have to repay by engaging in prostitution. Similarly, the victims were told about the various rules they had to follow, and of the fines they would have to pay if they disobeyed or broke the rules. The victims were transported in cars owned by the organization to a bar where they had to engage in prostitution from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. without rest.
In the case of L.Y.H.V and J.A.S.G., these victims exited this exploitative situation because they were “bought out” by clients who paid the remaining of their debt. Another victim managed to escape with help from a client.
En Noviembre de 2010, la madre de una de las victimas denunció que su hija estaba siendo explotada sexualmente en Guatemala.
La víctima, L.Y.H.V., había estado viviendo en Medellín durante los meses previos a efectuar su viaje. En Medellín, esta había sido captada por H.A.L.R., alias “Piolo”, quien era el encargado de la captación de mujeres, de mejorar su aspecto físico en ocasiones a través de operaciones de cirujía estética, y de su preparación para el viaje, preparando para ello todos los documentos necesarios e instruyendo a las víctimas sobre cómo actuar y qué responder ante cuestiones por parte de las autoridades migratorias.
Con base a la denuncia formulada por los familiares de una de las victimas, se pudo establecer la existencia de otras 19 víctimas de esta red de trata de personas. La captación de mujeres se realizaba a través del ofrecimiento de empleo como modelos en la empresa Latin Models, cuyo fundador era el imputado Jhon Jairo Cuero González, y que servía como fachada a la organización. Algunas de las víctimas fueron sometidas a operaciones de cirugías estética en Medellín con el fin de mejorar su aspecto físico.
Una vez en Guatemala, las victimas eran trasladadas a casas “mansiones” donde permanecían encerradas y bajo la supervisión y el control de integrantes de la red a fin de evitar posibles fugas. Tras su llegada a Guatemala, a las víctimas les eran sustraídos sus documentos, les indicaban el valor de la deuda a pagar a cambio de los costes de traslado y cirujía estética –la cual duplicaba o triplicaba el coste real- y les comunicaban que tendrían que trabajar ejerciendo la prostitución para saldar esta deuda. Igualmente se les comunicaban las numerosas reglas que debían seguir, y cuyo incumplimiento derivaba en la imposición de multas. Las víctimas eran trasladadas en vehículos de la propia organización a un local en el que ejercían la prostitución desde 7 p.m. a 5 a.m. sin descanso.
En el caso de L.Y.H.V y J.A.S.G. quedaron libres puesto que fueron “compradas” por clientesm con el pago total de la deuda. Otra de las vícitimas logró escapar con la ayuda de un cliente.
1st Instance:
Court: First Criminal Court of the Specialized Cirtuit of Medellín
Location: Medellín – Antioquia
Date of decision: 06/07/2012
Reference: Case No. 2011-74217
1ª Instancia:
Corte/Tribunal: Juzgado Penal del Circuito Especializado
Local: Medellín – Antioquia
Fecha de la decisión: 6/07/12
The defendant acted as the supervisor at one of the mansion houses, choreographer of the exotic dance performances, and as the person in charge of managing each of the victims’ accounts. He was alsod, harboured and concealed the victims with the purpose of sexually exploiting them in Guatemala.
The defendant acted as the supervisor at one of the mansion houses, choreographer of the exotic dance performances, and as the person in charge of managing each of the victims’ accounts. He was also the legal representative and manager of the company Latin Models. The defendant received, harboured and concealed the victims with the purpose of sexually exploiting them in Guatemala.
Before the charges against him were brought by the prosecution, the defendant pleaded guilty by signing t
Before the charges against him were brought by the prosecution, the defendant pleaded guilty by signing the preliminary agreement. As part of this agreement, the defendant accepted his responsibility for the crime of human trafficking, as well as conspiracy to commit a crime.
The prosecution charged the defendant with conspiracy to commit a crime under art. 340 and transnational trafficking in persons as established in art. 188 A of the Criminal Code.
El acusado era supervisor de una de las mansiones, coreógrafo de los bailes exóticos, encargado de llevar las cuentas de cada una de las víctimas y era el representante legal y generente de la empresa Latin Models. El acusado acogió, albergó y ocultó a las víctimas con el fin de explotarlas sexualmente en Guatemala.
El acusado, antes de la imputación de cargos, se allanó mediante la suscripción del acta de preacuerdo. En ella, aceptó su culpabilidad por el delito de Trata de personas así como el delito de concierto para delinquir.
La fiscalía formuló imputación de concierto para delinquir tipificada en al artículo 340 y trata de personas transnacional consagrada en el artículo 188A del Código Penal.
La acusada mantenía el contacto y coordinación de tareas con miembros de una red internacional de trata de personas de la que formaba parte activa en lo relativo a la captación de víctimas con el fin someterlas a la explotación sexual mediante el ejercicio de protitución en Centroamérica.
La acusada, antes de realizarse la imputación de cargos, se allanó mediante la suscripción del acta de preacuerdo. En ella aceptó su culpabilidad por el delito de Trata de personas así como el delito de concierto para delinquir.
La fiscalía formuló imputación de concierto para delinquir tipificada en al artículo 340 y trata de personas transnacional consagrada en el artículo 188A del Código Penal.
The defendant was in contact and coordinated tasks with members of an international human trafficking ring. She was an active member of this network, contributing through the recruitment of victims for their sexual exploitation in Central America.
Before the charges against her were brought by the prosecution, the defendant pleaded guilty by signing the preliminary agreement. As part of this agreement, the defendant accepted her responsibility for the crime of human trafficking, as well as conspiracy to commit a crime.
The prosecution charged the defendant with conspiracy to commit a crime under art. 340 and transnational trafficking in persons as established in art. 188 A of the Criminal Code.
The defendant was in charge of handling the recruitment, cosmetic surgery, transportation and receipt of the victims for their sexual exploitation.
Before the charges against her were brought by the prosecution, the defendant pleaded guilty by signing the preliminary agreement. As part of this agreement, the defendant accepted her responsibility for the crime of human trafficking, as well as conspiracy to commit a crime.
The prosecution charged the defendant with conspiracy to commit a crime under art. 340 and transnational trafficking in persons as established in art. 188 A of the Criminal Code.La acusada era la encargada de la captación, intervención quirúrgica, traslado y recibimiento de las víctimas para su explotación sexual a favor de terceros en Medellín.
La acusada, antes de realizarse la imputación de cargos, se allanó mediante la suscripción del acta de preacuerdo. En ella aceptó su culpabilidad por el delito de Trata de personas así como el delito de concierto para delinquir.
La fiscalía formuló imputación del delito de concierto para delinquir tipificado en al artículo 340 y del de trata de personas transnacional consagrado en el artículo 188A del Código Penal.The defendant was in contact and coordinated tasks with members of an international human trafficking ring. She was an active member of this network, contributing through the recruitment of victims for their sexual exploitation in Central America.
Before the charges against her were brought by the prosecution, the defendant pleaded guilty by signing the preliminary agreement. As part of this agreement, the defendant accepted her responsibility for the crime of human trafficking, as well as conspiracy to commit a crime.
The prosecution charged the defendant with conspiracy to commit a crime under art. 340 and transnational trafficking in persons as established in art. 188 A of the Criminal Code.
La acusada mantenía contacto y coordinación de tareas con miembros de una red internacional de trata de personas de la cual formaba parte activa en lo relativo a la captación y traslado de personas con el fin de someterlas a explotación sexual mediante el ejercicio de protitución en Guatemala.
La acusada, antes de realizarse la imputación de cargos, se allanó mediante la suscripción del acta de preacuerdo. En ella aceptó su culpabilidad d¡por el delito de Trata de personas así como el delito de concierto para delinquir.
La fiscalía formuló imputación del delito de concierto para delinquir tipificado en al artículo 340 y el de trata de personas transnacional consagrado en el artículo 188A del Código Penal.
The defendant was part of a transnational human trafficking network operating in Colombia and Guatemala. She acted as the supervisor of one of the houses where the victims were sexually exploited. In order to exploit the victims, she carried out a number of tasks, including: managing the security at the house, imposing fines on the victims if they disregarded any of the rules, harbouring and concealing the victims.
Before the charges against her were brought by the prosecution, the defendant pleaded guilty by signing the preliminary agreement. As part of this agreement, the defendant accepted her responsibility for the crime of human trafficking, as well as conspiracy to commit a crime.
The prosecution charged the defendant with conspiracy to commit a crime under art. 340 and transnational trafficking in persons as established in art. 188 A of the Criminal Code.
La acusada era miembro de la red transnacional de tráfico de personas de Guatemala. Era una de las supervisoras de las casas en las que se explotaba sexualmente a las víctimas, realizando para ello una serie de tareas incluyendo: mantener la seguridad, imponer multas a las víctimas por incumplimiento de las reglas, albergar y ocultar a las víctimas.
La acusada, antes de realizarse la imputación de cargos, se allanó mediante la suscripción del acta de preacuerdo. En ella aceptó su culpabilidad por el delito de trata de personas así como el delito de concierto para delinquir.
La fiscalía formuló imputación de los delitos de concierto para delinquir tipificado en al artículo 340 y trata de personas transnacional consagrado en el artículo 188A del Código Penal.
The defendant travelled from Guatemala to Medellín, where the victims were living. She forced some of the victims to undergo cosmetic surgery. Once the victims arrived in Guatemala, she was in charge of covering the transportation costs and controlling the sexual exploitation of the victims.
Before the charges against her were brought by the prosecution, the defendant pleaded guilty by signing the preliminary agreement. As part of this agreement, the defendant accepted her responsibility for the crime of human trafficking, as well as conspiracy to commit a crime.
The prosecution charged the defendant with conspiracy to commit a crime under art. 340 and transnational trafficking in persons as established in art. 188 A of the Criminal Code.
La acusada viajó desde Guatemala a Medellín, donde residían las víctimas, a quienes obligó a someterse a operaciones de cirugía plástica. Una vez las víctimas llegaban a Guatemala, era la encargada de cubrir los gastos del traslado y de controlar la explotación sexual de las víctimas.
La acusada, antes de realizarse la imputación de cargos, se allanó mediante la suscripción del acta de preacuerdo. En ella aceptó su culpabilidad por el delito de trata de personas así como el delito de concierto para delinquir.
La fiscalía formuló imputación de los delitos de concierto para delinquir agravado tipificado en al artículo 340 y trata de personas transnacional agravada, consagrado en el artículo 188A del Código Penal.
Art. 188A, Chapter V “Crimes against personal autonomy”, Title III “Crimes against individual freedom and other guarantees”, Colombian Criminal Code
Art. 340, part 1, Chapter I “Crimes Against Public Safety”, Title XII, Colombian Criminal Code
The defendant was ordered by the Court to pay 400 Monthly Minimum Legal Wages
Art. 188A, Chapter V “Crimes against personal autonomy”, Title III “Crimes against individual freedom and other guarantees”, Colombian Criminal Code
Art. 340, part 1, Chapter I “Crimes Against Public Safety”, Title XII, Colombian Criminal Code
The defendant was ordered to pay 420 Monthly Minimum Legal Wages in concept of fines.
Art. 188A, Chapter V “Crimes against personal autonomy”, Title III “Crimes against individual freedom and other guarantees”, Colombian Criminal Code
Art. 340, part 1, Chapter I “Crimes Against Public Safety”, Title XII, Colombian Criminal Code
The defendant was ordered to pay 400 Monthly Minimum Legal Wages in concept of fines.
Art. 188A, Chapter V “Crimes against personal autonomy”, Title III “Crimes against individual freedom and other guarantees”, Colombian Criminal Code
Art. 340, part 1, Chapter I “Crimes Against Public Safety”, Title XII, Colombian Criminal Code
The defendant was ordered to pay 430 Monthly Minimum Legal Wages.
Art. 188A, Chapter V “Crimes against personal autonomy”, Title III “Crimes against individual freedom and other guarantees”, Colombian Criminal Code
Art. 340, part 1, Chapter I “Crimes Against Public Safety”, Title XII, Colombian Criminal Code
The defendant was ordered to pay 133.33 Monthly Minimum Legal Wages.
Art. 188A, Chapter V “Crimes against personal autonomy”, Title III “Crimes against individual freedom and other guarantees”, Colombian Criminal Code
Art. 340, part 1, Chapter I “Crimes Against Public Safety”, Title XII, Colombian Criminal Code
The defendant was ordered to pay 583.3 Monthly Minimum Legal Wages in concept of fines.
First Criminal Court of the Specialized Cirtuit of Medellín [Juzgado Primero Penal del Circuito Especializado de Medellín]
Sentencia de 6 de julio de 2012, radicado N° 2011-74217, Juzgado Penal del Circuito Especializado de Medellín.
Sentence of July 6, 2012, record N° 2011-74217, Criminal Court of the Spezialiced Circuit of Medellín.
The Court decision provides an analysis of the tipicity, illegality and culpability in this case.
Regarding the tipicity, the Court highlighted the seriousness of the defendants’ actions, and how these actions fit into the criminal definition of the offense of human trafficking. There are also receipts of partial payments made to four of the victims as a form of compensation.
Similarly, the judgment established that the defendants’ actions violated the legally protected interest of public safety significantly, without making an mentions to the legal interest of autonomy, as personal autonomy is the especially legally protected interest under the offense of human trafficking.
Regarding the culpability, the Court considered the preliminary agreement signed by the defendants. While the Court acknowledged the importance of imposing a sentence proportionate to the seriousness of the acts committed, the guilty plea has the effect of reducing the sentence imposed to half.
While five of the defendants did not have prior criminal records, the objective aspect in order to grant a substitute for the prison sentence is not met in this case, since the minimum penalty exceeds five years. Furthermore, the subjective aspect is not fulfilled either, as the behaviours deployed by the crime of human trafficking are serious actions which degrade the dignity of persons and treat persons as objects to be traded and exploited. The Court established that defendants convicted under this criminal offense must fulfil their sentences in prison. However, as regards to the sixth defendant, the Judge considered that she had fulfilled the objective aspect, as her sentence did not exceed 36 months of imprisonment. The judge made an exception, arguing that while the acts committed as part of the offense of human trafficking are very serious, in this case there are special circumstances that point to a state of necessity. The defendant gave the victims she had to watch and supervise a different and human treatment. These circumstances led the Judge to consider that the subjective aspect had also been fulfilled, and therefore grant the suspension of the prison sentence.
La sentencia hace un análisis de la tipicidad, antijuridicidad y culpabilidad en este caso.
Respecto a la tipicidad, se resalta la gravedad de las acciones de los acusados y cómo estas acciones encajan dentro del tipo penal de trata de personas. Asimismo, existen recibos de pago parcial a modo de indemnización a cuatro de las víctimas.
Asimismo, señala que las acciones típicas de los acusados vulneran significativamente y únicamente el bien jurídico de la seguridad pública sin mencionar el bien jurídico de la autonomía, ya que el bien jurídico especialmente protegido por el tipo penal de trata de personas es la autonomía personal.
Respecto a la culpabilidad, el Tribunal considera el preacuerdo contraído por parte de los acusados. Aunque el fallador reconoce la importancia de imponer una pena acorde con la gravedad de los actos cometidos, el allanamiento tiene el efecto de rebajar la mitad de la pena impuesta.
Aunque cinco acusados carecen de antecedentes penales, no se cumple el aspecto objetivo para conceder ningún tipo de sustituto penal puesto que el mínimo de la pena supera los cinco años. Asimismo, tampoco se cumple el aspecto subjetivo puesto que las conductas desplegadas por el delito de trata de personas son acciones graves, degradando la dignidad de las personas y cosificándolas. Se determina que los acusados de este tipo penal deben purgar la sanción de manera intramural. No obstante, en cuanto a la sexta acusada el juez sí consideró que cumplió con el aspecto objetivo toda vez que la pena impuesta no supera los 36 meses de prisión. El juez hace una excepción argumentando que si bien las conductas del tipo de trata son graves, en este caso concurren situaciones especiales de estado de necesidad. La acusada les dio un trato diferente y humano a las víctimas de trata a quienes ella debía vigilar y supervisar. Dichas circunstancias llevaron al juez a considerar que el aspecto subjetivo se encontraba cubierto, otorgándole la suspensión de la pena.