Federal indictment against trafficking suspects unsealed

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Federal indictments are unsealed in the case of an alleged human trafficking ring discovered last week in Hamblen County.

Sheriffs, working with the FBI, busted the operation last week on Springvale Road near Morristown. They arrested nine Latino suspects, including three women, at three different residences. The idictment lists "True name unknown" Areli, Eusebio Flores Martinez, Rosa Garcia Menendez, Obdulio C. Morales, Rubio Trinidad Narcisco, Elda Dorali Moreno Ramirez, Raymundo Sanchez-Torres, and Esthela Silfa Vasquez as suspects. They are in custody, facing Federal charges.

It is unclear how many women were working for the operation, but police are considering them as victims. Police said they are all Hispanic and were lured to this country with the promise of a better life, were forced into prostitution.

Knoxville FBI Special Agent in Charge Rick Lambert said, for the time being, the women are being treated as victims. Final decisions about their futures will be decided by Federal prosecutors, the U.S. Attorney's office, and ICE officials. Lambert said their women's opinions about their futures will be taken into consideration. They could be deported back to their home country, or be eligible to apply for a Visa to stay in the United States.

Christi Wigle, President of the Community Coalition Against Trafficking in Knoxville, said the women hold victim's rights and could even be called to testify against the suspects.

"Depending on what the detectives of the case unfold, they may be sent back to their homes. They may be allowed to apply for a T-Visa or U-Visa depending on the status, and all the details that are surrounding this particular case," said Wigle.

FBI officials said they could not comment further about the indictment or about the status of the victims.

Lambert said the The Department of Justice will not release the mug shots of the suspects until the case reaches some kind of conclusion, because they do not want to prejudice the case in any way.