Queens woman sentenced to 7.5 years for trafficking a 14-year-old immigrant girl and forcing her to work without pay.
A woman from Queens has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for her role in the sexual trafficking of a 14-year-old girl from El Salvador, according to an announcement by the Queens District Attorney’s Office. Marilyn Roque, aged 30, received her sentence after pleading guilty in May to multiple charges, including sex trafficking of a child, labor trafficking, and endangering the welfare of a child.
The case came to light when authorities reported that the teenager had arrived in the United States in September 2022 to live with Roque in her Rockaway Park residence. In a disturbing turn of events, just four months later, Roque coerced the girl into engaging in sexual acts with a 49-year-old man on New Year’s Eve for the sum of 0. Prosecutors allege that Roque not only compelled the minor to participate in prostitution but also forced her to tend to Roque’s children and work unpaid shifts at a local restaurant. Roque reportedly threatened the girl with deportation if she disclosed her situation to anyone.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that Roque exploited a vulnerable child for her own financial gain, subjecting her to both sexual and labor exploitation. Katz acknowledged the courage of the teenager, who provided vital information that led to the prosecution, highlighting the ongoing issue of child trafficking as particularly egregious.
Court documents indicate that Roque frequently prevented the teenager from attending school to ensure that she was available for work. The New Year’s Eve incident saw the girl forced into an encounter with Roque’s neighbor, Jesus Juarez-Reyas, who is now 51 years old. Juarez-Reyas has also pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree rape and patronizing a person for prostitution. Following their convictions, both Roque and Juarez-Reyas will be required to register as sex offenders.
Juarez-Reyas is expected to face sentencing on July 23. This case underscores the persistent issues of human trafficking and child exploitation, raising significant concerns within the community and prompting calls for increased awareness and preventive measures against such crimes. The District Attorney’s office continues to pursue justice for victims of trafficking and advocates for more stringent protections against similar abuses in the future.
