Federal authorities charge woman with sex trafficking of minors

According to court documents, the accused allegedly recruited, transported and maintained a minor under the age of 15 to engage in commercial sex acts between December 2023 and October 2024, and around the same time allegedly engaged in a similar pattern with a second minor, age 17.

By The Star Staff

A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment on July 10 against Lizamarie Rivera García, 42, of Bayamón, for sex trafficking of minors. Rivera García was arrested on Monday by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents.

According to court documents, between December 2023 and October 2024, Rivera García allegedly recruited, transported, and maintained a minor under the age of 15 to engage in commercial sex acts. She is also accused of using instant messaging and internet services to transfer obscene material to the same minor.

Furthermore, from December 2023 to November 2024, the defendant allegedly engaged in a similar pattern with a second minor, age 17, according to the indictment.

If convicted, Rivera García faces mandatory minimum sentences of 10 to 15 years in prison for each charge, with the possibility of life imprisonment. She also faces post-sentence supervision of between five years and life imprisonment.

The investigation is being conducted by HSI San Juan with assistance from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elba Gorbea of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit.