NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Six people, including a New York cop, face a 14-count indictment unsealed in a Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday alleging their involvement in a yearslong child sex trafficking ring.
Luz Elvira Cardona, Roberto Cesar Cid Dominguez, Cristian Noe Godinez, Blanca Hernandez Morales, Jose Facundo Zarate Morales and Wayne Peiffer, a Village of Brewster police officer, are charged with conspiracy to transport minors and the transportation of minors, sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion, promotion of prostitution, use of interstate facilities to commit bribery and related conspiracy counts.
Since 2002, the Queens-based Cid-Hernandez Sex Trafficking Organization has allegedly engaged in the sex trafficking of young women and female minors from Mexico, often offering false promises of a better life and employment, but instead forcing them into prostitution for clients around New York state.
The Godinez Prostitution Business also regularly transported women from a Queens location to areas throughout the state, including Brewster, New York, according to officials.
Noe Godinez, who is currently a fugitive, allegedly worked as a driver for the Godinez Prostitution Business, transporting women from preassigned routes to prostitution clients.
Officer Peiffer allegedly protected both operations for over eight years, directing both organizations to deliver victims to him, including at the Brewster Police Station, for free sexual services.
Federal prosecutors allege the 48-year-old would tip off both organizations about any law enforcement investigation and intervene to prevent any arrests.
"The allegations in today’s indictment – that these two illicit organizations were aided for years by a sworn officer who betrayed his solemn oath to protect the public – represent among the most heinous crimes we confront," Commissioner Dermot Shea said.
He added, "The NYPD and our law enforcement partners share an unwavering commitment to protect survivors of human trafficking and to ensure that anyone seeking to profit through the abuse and exploitation of others is brought to justice."
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