In a recent undercover operation targeting human trafficking in Sumner County, Tennessee, three Cuban nationals who entered the United States unlawfully were taken into custody, as announced by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday.
The individuals arrested have been identified as Bryan Duany Rodríguez Peña, 27, residing in Cape Coral, Florida; Alinson Guerrero Ramírez, 27, living in La Vergne, Tennessee; and Lázaro Darío Rodríguez Santos, 32, based in Miami, Florida.
According to sources, including American radio host Alex Jones, the trio is charged with transporting adult women to a hotel in Hendersonville for sexual encounters in exchange for money, leading to state charges of promoting prostitution.
The arrests occurred on June 11 and 12, during a tactical operation led by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Following the arrests, ICE issued immigration detainers for the three Cubans on June 12.
Details of Illegal Entry into the U.S.
ICE provided details on the immigration history of each suspect. Rodríguez Peña was apprehended on June 5, 2021, after illegally crossing the Rio Grande with ten others. Rodríguez Santos was detained by Border Patrol near Yuma, Arizona, in November 2021, after his illicit entry into the country. Meanwhile, Guerrero Ramírez arrived in 2023 at the Brownsville, Texas, port of entry. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued him a notice to appear before an immigration judge and released him on parole under the catch-and-release policy of the Biden administration.
The bail amounts set for the trio range between $60,000 and $82,000, with preliminary hearings scheduled at the Sumner County General Sessions Court.
Uncovering Victims and Additional Arrests
The investigation involved more than half a dozen federal, state, and local agencies, leading to the identification of nine potential human trafficking victims, who are now receiving support through Thistle Farms.
In total, five individuals were apprehended in the operation. Alongside the three Cuban nationals, American citizens Kasim Barnes, a former Gallatin Police Department officer accused of sexual exploitation of a minor and dismissed on June 15, and Christopher Torres, 27, of Hendersonville, facing four counts of child exploitation via electronic means, were also arrested, according to local outlet Memphis News.
Legal Proceedings and ICE's Commitment
One of the Cuban detainees, Lázaro Darío Rodríguez Santos, filed a habeas corpus petition on July 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. The next day, Chief Judge Sheryl H. Lipman ordered a temporary halt to his deportation while reviewing the petition.
ICE's acting director, David J. Venturella, emphasized the significance of the operation, highlighting the agency's dedication to safeguarding victims and dismantling criminal networks. "Human trafficking is a heinous crime exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit. By collaborating with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, ICE is actively working to dismantle criminal organizations, protect victims, and hold illegal immigrants accountable for exploiting others," he stated.
This case is part of a series of recent prosecutions against Cuban nationals charged with serious offenses in the U.S., amidst increased ICE activity targeting immigrants with criminal records or charges, following the stricter immigration policies of the Trump administration.
Key Questions on the Tennessee Human Trafficking Operation
Who were the Cuban nationals arrested in Tennessee?
The arrested individuals are Bryan Duany Rodríguez Peña, Alinson Guerrero Ramírez, and Lázaro Darío Rodríguez Santos, who were involved in promoting prostitution in Tennessee.
What charges do the Cuban nationals face?
They are charged with promoting prostitution by transporting women to a hotel for paid sexual encounters.
What actions did ICE take following the arrests?
ICE issued immigration detainers for the three Cuban nationals and provided details of their illegal entry into the U.S.