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Man charged with human trafficking

By AMBER MOBLEY
Published March 16, 2007

TAMPA - Hillsborough County deputies on Wednesday charged a 36-year-old Tampa man with human trafficking.

Marcelino GuillenJaimes, 1716 143rd Ave., Apt. 10, is accused of bringing a Mexican man into the United States by way of an illegal smuggling system in which the passenger pays as much as $2,000, said Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Debbie Carter.

The victim, a man in his 20s, was being forced to work construction jobs for eight to 10 hours daily as repayment. The victim is in protective custody and may stay in the United States if he qualifies for a T visa, specific to victims of trafficking, Carter said.

GuillenJaimes already was in jail on unrelated charges of having a fake driver's license when an anonymous tip led detectives to the victim. Deputies suspect GuillenJaimes may have more victims and are investigating.

Carter said human trafficking "is something that is coming to our attention more due to the fact that we have a growing diverse population within Hillsborough County that could potentially be victims." Victims generally do not report the crime, because they are in the country illegally, she said.

[Last modified March 16, 2007, 00:57:54]