A Houston man accused of running a violent sex-trafficking ring is now back on local soil after authorities say he was extradited from Panama to face a 14-count federal indictment. Prosecutors allege 41-year-old Michel Cedeno-Castillo lured Cuban nationals to Texas with fake job offers, then forced them into commercial sex through threats, physical abuse and other forms of coercion to squeeze money out of them.
Extradition and indictment
According to Univision Houston, Cedeno-Castillo was extradited from Panama to Houston on May 20 and was expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina A. Bryan. A federal grand jury had returned the 14-count indictment on May 13, and it was unsealed once authorities took him into custody.
Allegations from the indictment
Prosecutors claim Cedeno-Castillo used false promises of lucrative employment to entice four Cuban nationals to travel to Texas, then moved them around within the Southern District of Texas while knowing they had entered the country illegally, according to MyTexasDaily. The indictment alleges he then used threats, violence and other coercive tactics to force the victims into commercial sex acts and kept the proceeds for himself.
Investigation and international cooperation
Univision Houston reports that the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Government of Panama to secure Cedeno-Castillo’s arrest and extradition. The investigation is part of Joint Task Force Alpha and the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, with HSI Houston leading the field work alongside federal partners.
Prosecution, penalties and next steps
"Cedeno-Castillo allegedly lured women with lies and forced them into prostitution," Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck said, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The department says the charges include sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, importing an alien for immoral purposes, transporting for prostitution, extortion and cyberstalking. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ekua Assabill and Trial Attorney Leah Branch are slated to prosecute the case. If convicted, Cedeno-Castillo faces up to life in federal prison, though officials emphasize that an indictment is only an accusation and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
How to contact authorities
Anyone with information connected to this case is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, per MyTexasDaily. Local and federal officials say tip lines and interagency task forces remain crucial tools for identifying victims and breaking up trafficking networks.
