Oceanside Couple Accused of Human Trafficking – Inez Martinez Garcia, 43, and husband Marcial Garcia Hernandez, 45, allegedly abused a young girl who was smuggled into the U.S. (Sam Spital)
“It has been reported that prostitution rings in San Diego are among the worst in the United States and involve young girls from the age of 12 to 14, many of whom are transported over the border from Mexico and others who live in San Diego and often frequent the local shopping malls, who are initially promised by ostensible boyfriends as well as pimps what they hope to have as better opportunities. At the point a child becomes enlightened and realizes the plight she is in, she faces threats and beatings if she tries to leave or escape.
The FBI has reported San Diego is among the eight top cities in the nation for child sexual exploitation. Much of the business comes from free advertisements placed on widely known and commonly used internet sites, while others from newspaper and magazine classified ads. While it is outrageous and despicable to have unsuspecting young children forced into prostitution and other crime, it has become a far too common occurrence in society today.
Sadly, there are increased numbers of dysfunctional families and maladjusted children due in large part because of the stresses of everyday life, vastly rising numbers of divorces, use of drugs and/or the lack of proper and sufficient interpersonal relationships, some of which the latter is believed to be a result of the increased use of and reliance upon email and text messaging.
Parents, counselors, teachers, churches and synagogues need to work together to find and maintain workable solutions to enhance family interactions and social life.
On November 29, 2012, a NBC Channel 7 reporter posted an article online regarding a husband and wife who were arrested for 13 felony counts of aggravated assault upon a 12 year old girl in connection with allegations of sexual and physical abuse, as well as forced labor as a result of human trafficking by the couple. The arresting law enforcement officers confirmed this young child was smuggled across the border from Mexico into San Diego at the age of 12 ‘with promises of a better life and receiving an education.The article did not, however, contain any information or facts related to a possible defense, explanation, or mitigation that might be used by counsel for the two suspects.”