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A woman is being accused of threatening sex trafficking victims with “witchcraft” and “animal sacrifices” in Las Vegas in Nevada, USA.
Jazmin Russo-Martinez, 30, was arrested for sex trafficking at least three other women in Las Vegas Valley, as per CBS affiliate KLAS-TV yesterday, May 3.
Russo-Martinez is accused of threatening the victims with witchcraft after police found shrines with blood from animal sacrifices on the walls of an illegal brothel they investigated, recent court documents cited by the outlet showed.
“Many of these men and women who are being victimized by human trafficking are being forced by threats of violence, by coercion, by force, by fear, to keep them working and to keep them being a victim,” Metro Vice Lieutenant William Matchko was quoted as saying.
“Every time a john goes out and pays for a prostitute, they are contributing to that criminal element,” he added.
Upon her arrest, Russo-Martinez told officers, “I only answer to God,” according to the report. After being questioned further, the suspect answered: “I’m glad you are taking an interest in my religion and those were saints.”
Russo-Martinez has since been charged with three counts of sex trafficking an adult and three counts of living off the earnings of a prostitute. She also faces one count of each of the same charges in a separate case, the report said.
She was arrested following an investigation into illegal brothels in Clark County, which has so far resulted in busting 20 illegal brothels. Russo-Martinez has been detained since yesterday, May 3, and is set to appear in court later this week. Ian Biong /ra
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