DOJ says 11 migrants indicted in multi-state sex trafficking, drug, firearms case
Federal prosecutors have charged eleven people with a range of offenses that include sex trafficking, drug distribution and illegal firearms possession. The indictment, returned on June 11 and made public this week, alleges that four of the defendants conspired between July and August 2025 to traffic a minor and an adult woman for sexual exploitation while also moving ecstasy and at least nine guns across state lines.
Ten of the suspects were taken into custody on Tuesday during coordinated raids in Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina and Florida. One individual named in the charges remains at large. Authorities say ten of the eleven people are currently in the United States without legal permission.
The case emerged from a Homeland Security Task Force investigation that operates under an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump aimed at dismantling transnational criminal networks. Officials described the alleged activity as a “panoply of illicit trafficking” that involved drugs, weapons and human beings.
U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II commented on the scope of the alleged conduct: “These defendants — ten of whom are currently illegally present in this country — allegedly engaged in a panoply of illicit trafficking activity, from drugs to firearms to human beings. We have no tolerance for anybody who commits such crimes in our communities, and we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie said the operation is part of a broader effort to keep Ohio safe: “We will continue to work hard to keep Ohio safe and get narcotics, firearms, and violent criminals off the streets.”
Acting HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey highlighted the task force’s mission: “The indictment demonstrates the task force's commitment to protecting communities from transnational criminal organizations accused of exploiting vulnerable victims while trafficking drugs and firearms.”
The defendants include six people alleged to reside in Ohio: Venezuelans Jean Pierre Alejandro Guillen Salcedo (30) and Taidin Adreina Ferrer Guillen (34) of Hilliard; Pedro Angel Colls‑Flores (34) and Alismar Daniela Contreras‑Arevalo (20) of Columbus; Colombians Briyi Daniela Ordonez‑Iter (21) of Hilliard and Julian David Patino Pena (33) of Columbus.
Two Venezuelan nationals are said to live in Tennessee: John Alexandre Fajardo‑Ulzcategui (27) and Jose Ruben Sanchez‑Pena (34), both of Smyrna.
Additional charged individuals are Venezuelan Keivar Elian Guillen Salcedo (26) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Therry Brayant Leon Gavida (34) of Jacksonville, Florida; and Dervin Alejandro Colmenares Quintero (29), whose address is listed as Mexico.
Officials note that the indictment contains only allegations; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The Justice Department’s announcement mentioned differing ages for the alleged minor victim—one reference citing 17 years old and another quoting the victim as 14—but no clarification has been provided as of this report. Prosecutors say they will continue to pursue the case through the federal judicial system.