A sex trafficking operation run by illegal aliens in Tennessee has been taken down by federal authorities.
Yilibeth Carmen Rivero-de Caldera, 53, recently pleaded guilty to human trafficking, alien smuggling, and money laundering charges related to a sex trafficking ring operated out of several motels in Nashville, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Rivero-de Caldera and her son, convicted killer Kleiver Daniel Mota Rivero, targeted vulnerable Venezuelan women and lured them to the U.S. with phony job offers.
The women were then forced to repay inflated smuggling debts via sex work under threat of harm if they refused.
Mota Rivero’s partner and associates were also recruited to participate in the scheme, which led to many women being forced into de facto sex slavery.
“Mota and others made the victims believe he was connected to a Venezuelan prison gang and used his past prison term for homicide to further intimidate them,” the DOJ says.
The traffickers “worked together to smuggle the victims into the United States, advertised commercial sex services online, arranged appointments with clients, and collected the proceeds from the sex acts.”
So far, nine defendants have pleaded guilty to charges related to sex trafficking, smuggling, and money laundering.
Many of the defendants have ties to Tren de Aragua, authorities say.
According to court documents, Rivero-de Caldera and her son, Kleiver Daniel Mota Rivero (“Mota”), led a scheme, targeting vulnerable Venezuelan women and luring them to the United States with false job offers. Once Rivero-de Caldera and Mota smuggled the women into the United… pic.twitter.com/DlBbWDwaTt
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) August 9, 2026
“Homeland Security Investigations is committed to the pursuit and dismantlement of transnational criminal organizations that exploit vulnerable people for profit,” said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting.
“The outcome of this Homeland Security Task Force investigation is a testament to the positive impact law enforcement can have when working in collaboration towards the common goal of holding these criminals accountable.”
