A jury in Palm Beach County, Florida, has convicted Geisy Rodríguez Brito, a 33-year-old resident of Royal Palm Beach, of human trafficking. She was found guilty of illegally bringing a Cuban woman into the United States for sexual exploitation through coercion, monitoring, and seizing her documents.
The verdict was delivered on Wednesday by State Attorney Alexcia Cox of the 15th Judicial Circuit following a trial last week. Evidence presented showed that Rodríguez Brito manipulated, intimidated, and restricted the freedom of the 27-year-old victim for her own financial gain.
The jury convicted her of human trafficking and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device, although she was acquitted of charges related to deriving economic benefit from prostitution and witness tampering.
Evidence indicated that in October 2022, Rodríguez Brito, with co-defendant Leonel Harari, helped transport the victim from Cuba to the United States, charging tens of thousands of dollars for the passage.
Once in Palm Beach County, the victim was forced to work in adult entertainment venues in the central part of the county and to engage in sexual acts with customers to repay a debt that never seemed to decrease, as she testified during the trial.
Rodríguez Brito confiscated the victim's Cuban passport and other crucial documents to prevent her from escaping, threatening to report her to immigration authorities if she did not comply with demands.
The victim also discovered photographs in her mailbox indicating she was under surveillance.
In a covert attempt to monitor the victim's movements, Rodríguez Brito even sewed a tracking device into her clothing, according to the prosecution.
Initially hesitant to contact the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office due to her immigration status, the victim was reassured by authorities that reporting the abuse would not lead to deportation.
Rodríguez Brito was arrested in 2023 following an investigation by the Sheriff's Office. Her co-defendant, Leonel Harari, pleaded guilty in June of the previous year to human trafficking and benefiting from prostitution. He was sentenced to three years probation and ten days in jail, with credit for time served.
Assistant State Attorneys Victoria Thacker and Amanda McCabe prosecuted the case.
This incident highlights a documented pattern of networks exploiting Cuban migrants in Florida. Using a debt-for-passage scheme, traffickers charge exorbitant fees for illegal entry into the U.S. and then force victims to work off a never-ending debt, leveraging the threat of deportation as a means of control.
Understanding Human Trafficking in Florida
What led to Geisy Rodríguez Brito's conviction?
Rodríguez Brito was convicted due to evidence showing she manipulated, intimidated, and exploited a Cuban woman for financial gain, employing threats and surveillance.
How did the victim arrive in the United States?
The victim was illegally transported from Cuba to the U.S. by Rodríguez Brito and her co-defendant, Leonel Harari, for a hefty fee.
What actions did Rodríguez Brito take to control the victim?
Rodríguez Brito confiscated important documents, threatened to report the victim to immigration, and used a tracking device to monitor her movements.