Prostitution ring suspect Antonio Rivera was in police custody Monday
NYDailyNews Reports
Three Long Island bar bosses were charged Monday with forcing dozens of illegal aliens as young as 17 into prostitution at seedy taverns.
A brother-and-sister team and a manager are accused of luring the women, most of whom are Central American, to work in their bars, then ordering them to perform sex acts on customers.
"They lured innocent young women with promises of legitimate jobs and the American Dream," said John Morton, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official. "Once the victims arrived, their dreams turned to nightmares."
Antonio Rivera, 34, of Patchogue, and his sister Jasmin Rivera, 31, of Medford, were arrested along with bar manager John Whaley, 29, of Bellport.
They were charged in federal court with sex trafficking and forced labor and could face life in prison. The three were held without bail.
The three bar bosses run La Hija Del Mariachi in Farmingville and Sonidos de la Frontera in Ronkonkoma. Both cater to Mexican and Central American workers.
Rivera, his sister Jasmin, and John Whaley were arrested and charged in federal court with sex trafficking and forced labor.
The women were recruited in their home countries and told they would be working as waitresses or "cantina girls."
Once they got to Long Island and started work, they were told to perform stripteases and lap dances for clients. They also allegedly had to turn tricks - and hand over half the profits to the bar owners.
Women who objected were beaten or raped, the complaint said, and were also threatened with deportation.
Miriam Velazquez, who emigrated from El Salvador many years ago and now owns Velazquez Deli in the same shopping center as La Hija Del Mariachi, said she felt bad for the women.
"They work and live in fear and they have no one to help them," said Velazquez, 40.
Kathy Perrino, 55, who works at the neighboring Family Dollar, said the nearby businesses are happy to see the bars closed.
"I hope they are gone for good," she said. "There were bottles everywhere and drunk men lingering every morning."
Sonidos de la Frontera raised suspicions with drawings of two sexy women emblazoned on the entrance.
"They were up to no good," said Ann Nguy, 37, who works at a nail salon next door.
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