SAN ANTONIO — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a critical role in a federal investigation that resulted in two Venezuelan illegal aliens being sentenced to a combined 32 years in prison for sex trafficking a 16-year-old orphan, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
Giannys Alexandra Ramirez-Fernandez, 21, and Nelson Adrian Perez-Martinez, 23, conspired to exploit the minor for commercial sex acts, traveling from Colombia to Kentucky and San Antonio, according to court records. Investigators found that in July 2024, Perez-Martinez and Ramirez-Fernandez accompanied the minor to about six different motels in San Antonio, sharing rooms paid for in cash from proceeds of the child’s commercial sex acts. The pair were arrested on July 30, 2024, as part of an ongoing investigation into domestic sex trafficking.
USCIS assisted the investigation by conducting immigration record checks, reviewing jail calls for relevant information, and providing immigration guidance and expertise throughout the case.
On Sept. 17, 2025, Ramirez-Fernandez admitted guilt to helping with child sex trafficking, planning to traffic children, and transporting a minor for illegal sexual activity.
On Oct. 1, 2025, federal prosecutors brought new charges against Perez-Martinez, accusing him of helping others commit child sex trafficking, benefiting from child sex trafficking, conspiring to traffic children, aiding coercion and enticement of a minor, and transporting a minor with the intent for criminal sexual activity. On Feb. 23, 2026, a jury found Perez-Martinez guilty on all counts.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sentenced Perez-Martinez to 240 months in federal prison and lifetime supervised release. Ramirez-Fernandez was sentenced to 150 months in prison.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, San Antonio Police Department, the FBI, and USCIS and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia McNab and Sade Bogart.
To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.
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