The case is the first trafficking offense prosecuted by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office’s new Human Trafficking unit.
DALLAS — A woman was convicted of trafficking and prostituting her 14-year-old stepdaughter in the first trafficking case prosecuted by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office’s newly-created Human Trafficking Unit.
Karen Goana Villegas, 33, who officials say trafficked and prostituted her 14-year-old stepdaughter with adult men over several years, was convicted of compelling prostitution of a child under 18 years old and sentenced to 25 years in prison, according to a press release Monday.
Prosecutors say Goana Villegas drove the child to the homes of multiple men, who paid in money and drugs to sexually assault the child, and made her home available to men to sexually assault the child.
The assaults were discovered after the child’s younger brother reported them to a school counselor, officials say.
“This conviction is a powerful example of why we created the Human Trafficking Unit,” said District Attorney John Creuzot. “These cases are complex and deeply traumatic, and they demand focused, specialized attention. I’m incredibly proud of the work our team has done to hold this defendant accountable and to support the survivor throughout this process.”
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office’s Human Trafficking Unit was launched in January and is funded in part by a $207,520 grant from the Office of the Governor that is meant to support a specialized prosecutor who focuses solely on adult and child human trafficking cases.
The Human Trafficking Unit team includes a prosecutor, an investigator, and a victim advocate.
“This case shows the impact of having experienced prosecutors, investigators, and victim advocates working together. I commend our entire team for their commitment and professionalism in pursuing justice in such a difficult case,” Creuzot added in a statement.