Honduran Convicted in Annapolis Brothel Scheme

A man from Honduras was convicted in federal court of sex trafficking charges following a two-week trial in which prosecutors outlined how he helped operate brothels in the Annapolis area, U.S. immigration officials said this week. 

Kevin Garcia Fuertes, who was reportedly living in the United States unlawfully but resided in Annapolis, was accused of partnering with another man from El Salvador transporting women for prostitution.

The other man, German de Jesus Ventura, was also convicted. Three other men from Easton, MD previously pleaded guilty in connection with the scheme. 

Fuertes has also been known to use the name Kerlin Esquivel-Feuntes, according to federal officials. 

The convictions were announced by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which partnered with police departments in Annapolis and Easton. 

Fuertes will be sentenced on July 24. He could face up to five years in prison for a count of conspiracy and 15 years to life in prison for the sex trafficking offense. 

According to prosecutors, Fuertes was not the ringleader of the sex trafficking scheme, but did advertise and manage the brothels and shared the revenue from the businesses with Ventura.  

The Capital-Gazette reported that Fuertes will also stand trial in Anne Arundel County on June 8 for the murder of Ricardo Humberto Rivas-Ramirez and a woman in 2008.

See also: 

• El Salvador Man Pleads Guilty for Role in Annapolis Prostitution Ring
• Full statement from Homeland Security/ICE