USCIS Supports Investigation Leading to Sentencing of Two in Child Sex Trafficking Case
Published Jul 10, 2026
USCIS assisted a federal investigation that led to two Venezuelan nationals being sentenced to a combined 32 years in prison for trafficking a 16-year-old orphan for commercial sex. The case was investigated jointly by ICE, local police, the FBI and USCIS.
Key points
- Giannys Alexandra Ramirez-Fernandez, 21, and Nelson Adrian Perez-Martinez, 23, were convicted of child sex trafficking offenses.
- The pair traveled from Colombia to Kentucky and San Antonio and took the minor to about six motels in July 2024.
- USCIS contributed immigration record checks, jail call reviews, and immigration law expertise to the investigation.
- Ramirez-Fernandez pleaded guilty in September 2025; Perez-Martinez was found guilty on all counts by a jury in February 2026.
- Perez-Martinez was sentenced to 240 months in prison and lifetime supervised release; Ramirez-Fernandez received 150 months.
- The case was investigated by ICE Homeland Security Investigations, the San Antonio Police Department, the FBI, and USCIS.
Who is affected
This announcement concerns law enforcement and immigration agencies involved in prosecuting child sex trafficking, not general visa applicants.
What to do
Suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse can be reported to USCIS using its Tip Form.
Full text
The complete official text was archived on this site on 2026-10-12. It stays available here even if the source link changes or is removed.
Release Date
07/10/2026
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.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us
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07/10/2026
Original title: USCIS Plays Critical Role in Illegal Aliens’ Sentencing for Sex Trafficking Child Orphan
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