Federal prosecutors have charged 11 Venezuelan and Colombian nationals in a multi-state criminal case involving allegations of sex trafficking, drug dealing, and illegal firearms trafficking. The Justice Department announced the charges on July 1, 2026, stating that 10 of the defendants are unlawfully present in the United States. Ten individuals were arrested during coordinated law enforcement operations in Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida, while one remains at large.
The indictment, which was returned on June 11 and unsealed on July 1, accuses four defendants of conspiring to sex traffic a minor and an adult woman between July and August 2025. There are conflicting references regarding the minor's age in the announcement, with one section stating 17 and a quote from a U.S. attorney mentioning 14.
The defendants allegedly traveled across state lines to promote prostitution and created online advertisements for commercial sex in central Ohio. In addition to the sex trafficking allegations, prosecutors claim the group sold ecstasy and trafficked at least nine firearms, with some defendants accused of illegal firearm possession.
U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II stated that the defendants engaged in various illicit activities, emphasizing a commitment to prosecuting such crimes. The investigation was led by a Homeland Security Task Force, and FBI officials reiterated their dedication to public safety by removing narcotics and violent criminals from the streets.
Among those charged are six defendants residing in Ohio, including Jean Pierre Alejandro Guillen Salcedo and Taidin Adreina Ferrer Guillen, both of Hilliard. Other defendants include individuals from Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, and Mexico. The case is part of a Homeland Security initiative aimed at targeting transnational criminal organizations and human trafficking networks. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.