Ledys Geovanny Alvarengo, 27, of Tennessee (center), sits with his attorney (left) and an interpreter in District Judge Kaycee Jones' court in Livingston on March 10, 2015.
Human Trafficking and Sex With a Minor, Tennessee Man on Trial, LIVINGSTON, March 10, 2015 - The trial of a man who's been charged with human trafficking and sexual conduct with a minor got underway this morning (March 10, 2015) in District Judge Kaycee Jones' court. Everything started on the morning May 3, 2014 when Trooper Kevin Burman was patrolling on US-59 in the vicinity of Seven Oaks. Burman spotted a 2006 Ford F-150 speeding and traveling in the passing lane. Burman initiated a traffic stop and also noted a broken tail light. When Trooper Burman spoke with the driver Ledys Geavanny Alvarenga, 26, of Tennessee (allegedly illegal alien), he asked for a driver's license and proof of insurance. Alvarenga didn't have a valid driver's license and produced a Honduran identification and had no proof of insurance. Additionally, Alvarenga had a 16 year old female passenger who had no identification. To complicate the situation, Alvarenga spoke very little broken English and the female spoke no English at all. Alvarenga communicated to Burman that he was driving to Tennessee. The passenger did produce a refugee relocation document. The document indicated that the female was supposed to be in the custody of her Aunt in Spring, Texas. Burman was not comfortable with things and summoned Trooper Darwon Evans for assistance. Additionally, he summoned a bi-lingual officer from Corrigan Police Department. Both Alvarenga and his passenger were taken into custody and driven to the Livingston DPS Office for further questioning. Burman got further assistance from Deputy Rey Davalos (for Spanish interpretation) and investigators from the Texas Department of Public Safety. During interview, it was revealed that Alvarenga had paid over $10,000 to get the girl from Honduras to Houston (where he picked her up), and began their trip back to Tennessee. They stopped at the Livingston Inn motel where they spent the night and allegedly had sex. Alvarenga was arrested for his traffic offenses. The 16 year old female was turned over to Child Protective Services and cooperated with authorities for a sexual assault examination. Alvarenga bonded out and went to Pennsylvania where he was working as a brick layer. As the investigation continued, forensics proved that Alvarenga's seaman was found on the girl and her under garments. On June 26, 2014, Agent David Campos went to Pennsylvania and picked up Alvarenga (who had been arrested by local police). Campos brought Alvarenga back to Polk County where he obtained DNA from him. During opening arguments, Prosecutor, Lee Hon, stated to a Polk County Jury that evidence will show that Alvarenga is guilty of human trafficking and sexual conduct with a child. Alvarenga's lawyer admitted to the jury that sex did occur between the two, but that it was consensual. He also stated that his client is not a monster, but that Alvarenga and the child were to marry, and that the child still wants to marry him. If found guilty, Alvarenga is facing 5 to 99 years in prison. The trial is expected to last through March 11.
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