Three Arrested On Allegations Of Human Trafficking

A 13-year-old girl is at the center of an investigation involving two men and a woman from Garden City who have been arrested on allegations of human trafficking.

According to Garden City police Capt. Michael Reagle, on Nov. 13, Kansas Department for Children and Families officials contacted Garden City police about a possible rape of a 13-year-old girl who they also believed may have been involved in a human trafficking situation.

After investigating, police allege that Maria Castro, 35, and Tomas Ramos, 39, both of 314 N. 13th St., paid $8,000 to have the girl brought to the United States from Guatemala.

According to police, the girl was required to work to help pay the debt, and during this time, she met Jose Saban, 20, Garden City. The two allegedly were involved in a sexual relationship from which she became pregnant, according to police.

Castro and Ramos allegedly made an agreement with Saban to give the girl to him for $8,800, $4,000 of which already had been paid to the couple prior to their arrests, according to Reagle.

Reagle also said that Castro and Ramos allegedly threatened Saban by telling him they would turn him in to law enforcement for having sex with the girl if he didn’t pay them the rest of the money.

Castro and Ramos were arrested on Nov. 14 on allegations of aggravated human trafficking, conspiracy to commit aggravated human trafficking, aggravated endangerment of a child, and blackmail. Saban was arrested on allegations of aggravated human trafficking, conspiracy to commit aggravated human trafficking and 15 counts of rape stemming from 15 alleged sexual encounters with the girl.

All three were arrested and lodged in the Finney County Jail.

Saban’s bond is set at $600,000, and Castro and Ramos’ bonds are $400,000 each.