Illegal NYC migrant accused of running prostitution ring on Long Island charged with sex trafficking
An illegal migrant living in Queens was booked on sex trafficking charges on Long Island Thursday after he allegedly coerced a woman into years of prostitution by threatening to show her family a video of her with a john, officials said.
Mexican national Jorge Ramos, 55, allegedly operated a prostitution ring since 2019, using numerous Nassau County hotels – including the Marriott in Uniondale and Hyatt Place in Garden City — to arrange the illegal hook-ups, according to court documents.
'They are horrific and unfortunately, often hidden in plain sight,' Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly said of the alleged crimes during a Friday press conference.
'These women are victims, victims of this man's sex trafficking, and we need to stand up and help the victims of these crimes.'
At the moment, there are three confirmed victims tied to Ramos, she added.
The ages of the victims are 31, 44, and 53, and all three are in the country legally, an official told The Post.
Ramos, who lives in Astoria, warned one victim in November 2023 that if she didn't keep working for him, he would show her family or even police a video he secretly recorded of her naked in bed with sex buyer, the felony complaint states.
Fearful she'd face ridicule from relatives or criminal charges from authorities, the victim continued to work for Ramos until this past July, according to the complaint.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said during the Friday press briefing Ramos was in the country illegally after traveling to the US from Mexico. Working papers Ramos might have had were expired, he noted.
'Mr. Ramos is accused of human sex trafficking as well as other charges,' Blakeman said.
'This is an important case because it illustrates the necessity to make sure that people who are here illegally and commit serious crimes are arrested and brought to justice.'
An investigation was opened last July after authorities received a tip on possible human trafficking, according to Nassau police chief of detectives Chris Ferro.
Ramos is facing charges of sex trafficking, second-degree promoting prostitution and third-degree promoting prostitution, prosecutors said.
He was held on $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond during his court arraignment Friday.
A message to his lawyer was not immediately returned Friday afternoon.
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