Authorities in New York say three brothers extradited from Mexico are being accused of trafficking at least three young women and forcing them to work as prostitutes in Hempstead.
Authorities say the Mexican victims were as young as 14.
Benito Lopez-Perez and Anastasio Romero-Perez were arraigned Monday in Brooklyn. Jose Gabino Barrientos-Perez was arraigned on Dec. 3.
Another man was arraigned last month in another Mexican sex-trafficking case.
U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch says it’s part of a crackdown that’s resulted in 52 indictments and the rescue of more than 100 victims since 2004.
In a third case, a sex-trafficking victim has been reunited with her child after 10 years.
Kenneth Paul, lawyer for Lopez-Perez, said the defendants have pleaded not guilty and “are proceeding accordingly.”
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.