South Texas woman pleads guilty to sex trafficking a 9-year-old girl
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A South Texas woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of sex trafficking a 9-year-old girl.
This guilty plea was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez, Southern District of Texas. This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), the Texas Rangers, and the Texas police departments of Brownsville and Rockport.
Maria Candelaria Losoya, 55, from Brownsville, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge B. Janice Ellington and admitted she was responsible for the continued sexual assault of a 9-year-old victim which began in Brownsville in 2012. Later, she traveled with the victim so that the assault could continue. She further admitted that she did so in exchange for money.
“Rescuing the children from these situations is our immediate concern,” said Mark Dawson, special agent in charge of HSI Houston. “While we cannot give back the innocence that's been stolen from them, we can make sure that those who commit these horrible crimes are brought to justice.”
Losoya’s sentencing is set for Nov. 16. At that time, she faces a minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison, and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. After she competes her imposed prison term, Losoya also faces a maximum of life on supervised release during which time the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect children and prohibit the use of the internet. Losoya must also register as a sex offender.
She was permitted to remain on bond pending her sentencing hearing.
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 16,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2016, more than 2,600 child predators were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 800 victims identified or rescued.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
HSI is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
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