3 men sentenced for roles in bar prostitution ring.

Byline: Harvey Rice

Jul. 18--A tip to a Harris County sheriff's deputy early last year about women being forced into prostitution in local bars led Monday to the first sentences in a human trafficking conviction since the formation of Houston's Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance two years ago. "No longer are we waiting for them to come to us as in the past," Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Magliolo said about trafficking cases. "We are seeking them out." Two members of a ring that smuggled Central and South American women into the United States and forced them into prostitution were sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison. A third was sentenced to four years. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruben Perez said the case is evidence of a major shift toward more aggressive investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases since the formation of the alliance of law enforcement agencies and nongovernmental organizations that work with victims. Perez and Magliolo said victims no longer will be returned to their home countries if they come forward. Now they will be treated for psychological and physical harm and may even have a chance to remain in the United States and apply for citizenship, Magliolo said. Maximum penalty

U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore sentenced Angel Moreno Salazar, 24, and Salvador Fernando Molina Garcia, 37, to the maximum sentence for sex trafficking conspiracy. Moreno Salazar's brother, Jose Luis Moreno Salazar, 20, got four years and three months on the same charge.

Molina Garcia, described by Gilmore as the "right-hand man" to the leader of the trafficking operation, told the judge before his sentence, "I accept my responsibilities and I am totally ashamed."

His attorney, David Adler, said his client denied being involved with a minor, but Gilmore ...