North Charleston trio sought in human trafficking case (updated x3)

Update May 25: Rubi Bertaud-Cabrera pleaded guilty to a portion of one of the charges against her in the illegal sex trade case yesterday.

What does this mean? That the victim, a 20-year-old Mexican immigrant, is no longer needed to testify and can return home to Mexico.

Bertaud-Cabrera pleaded guilty to harboring an illegal immigrant; however, she didn't admit to receiving any sort of financial gain from hiding the victim. On this one charge, Bertaud-Cabrera faces three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

The remaining charges will be dismissed as part of the plea agreement, meaning that Bertaud-Cabrera is dodging up to 40 years in prison (a maximum penalty of 10 years for each charge).

The Post and Courier has more details; check 'em out here.

Update January 25: Bertaud-Cabrera pleaded not guilty Monday to five federal charges in connection with her role in recruiting and harboring a 20-year-old woman whom she forced to work as a prostitute to pay for her smuggling fee.

According to The Post and Courier, Bertaud-Cabrera is charged with one count of importing an alien for an immoral purpose; two counts of bringing in and harboring aliens; one count of transporting for prostitution; and one count of failing to file a factual statement about an alien.

For the most complete background on this ongoing case, pop over to the article in today's The Post and Courier.

Update November 25: The Post and Courier has updated yesterday's post on the case of human trafficking in North Charleston, adding new details on Rubi Bertaud-Cabrera, one of the suspects arrested on Tuesday night.

The update also explains further the victim's situation over the past three weeks, and provides information on the two men still being sought by North Charleston police; read it here.

First reporting: On Tuesday evening, a 20-year-old woman escaped a North Charleston home where she'd been held against her will and forced to work as a prostitute.

The victim told North Charleston police she was smuggled into the country from Mexico and had been held against her will at Ginger Lane home since her arrival. One woman found inside of the home has been arrested and two additional men are being sought in connection with the case.

Head over to The Post and Courier for more on this developing story.

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