Most Wanted Women: Human Trafficking Mastermind Maribel Rodriguez
LOS ANGELES,CA (CBS) -- It's not just bad boys committing crimes throughout the Southland, police say today more and more females are appearing on the most-wanted list for committing everything from corporate crimes to murder. This is the first part in a new series featuring these most wanted women on the lamb. Now you may be able to help authorities apprehend these armed-and-dangerous ladies and ultimately put them where they belong -- behind bars.
"Maribel has been charged with smuggling illegal aliens into the U.S. for immoral purposes and harboring illegal aliens," Special Agent Robert Loosie said.
Maribel Rodriguez is a wanted woman... by the FBI that is.
"The reason you want someone on the most wanted list is to get their name out to the public and have the public help in their capture."
This female fugitive is said to be the mastermind of a human trafficking ring.
"We know that the group was violent," Loosie said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations says this Guatemalan national lured twelve women -- three mere minors -- with the promise of the American dream.
"What they would do is go to these countries to the rural areas and recruit women with the promise here and making good money."
After crossing the border, promised dreams quickly turned in to nightmares as the victims were forced into street prostitution to work off their smuggling fee.
"They were treated as slaves and they were watched at all times," Loosie said.
Informants say Maribel's ring paid gang members for the right to work here on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles between 7th and 8th Streets.
Though forced to turns tricks nightly, the enslaved prostitutes never saw a penny.
"Often times they were physically abused if they tried to leave they were beaten up."
To keep the police and FBI off her trail, Rodriguez regularly would take the girls to local botanicas.
"She felt that going to individuals that practiced sanataria or witchcraft would help cleanse herself and cleanse her victims," Loosie said.
The FBI also believes she had the so-called witches on her pay roll. After reading the smuggled girls tarot cards, Maribel would find out which girls were planning escape.
But the spell is up and the FBI is calling for an all-out manhunt for Maribel Rodriguez, offering $10,000 for any information leading to her arrest.
"The FBI always finds their person," Loosie said.
So take a good look at the photos attached to this report. The FBI wants this most wanted women where she belongs -- behind bars.
Again there is a large reward for any information leading to Maribel Rodriguez's arrest. But police warn don't approach the suspect yourself; call local authorities or the FBI if you have any information.
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