United States v. Cortes-Meza

Amador Cortes-Meza (defendant) was prosecuted for human and sex trafficking after bringing Mexican women illegally into the United States; he admitted bringing the women but claimed they came voluntarily and chose to work as prostitutes. At trial, several women testified that Cortes-Meza lured them into the country and then coerced them into prostitution through repeated rape, severe beatings, and psychological abuse, corroborated by immigration officials and treating physicians. Over Cortes-Meza's objection, the trial judge admitted diary entries the women wrote while under his control describing their depression and hopelessness, and the jury convicted him on all counts.