Woman pleads guilty to operating brothels in Twin Cities

A 37-year-old woman from the Dominican Republic pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to bringing "a multitude" of women from other states and countries to work at brothels in the Twin Cities.

Marisol Ramirez admitted to sneaking into the country after having been deported following a 1997 conviction in Georgia on an aggravated felony of "pimping and keeping a place of prostitution."

Ramirez was charged in May along with 24 others. Fourteen were in the country illegally, authorities said. All but two defendants charged thus far have now pled guilty, but the investigation remains open.

Ramirez -- also known as Griselda Santos, Valentia LaChapel, Marisol Carbajal, Veronia Mejia, Myra Ramirez, Myrza Ramirez-Domgques and Argentina -- was one of the organizers and leaders of the ring.

Authorities said the group ran seven brothels in the Twin Cities and another in Austin, Minn. They allegedly recruited prostitutes mainly from Mexico and Central America and took their identification papers to prevent them from fleeing.

Speaking through an interpreter, Ramirez told U.S. District Judge Joan Ericksen that she paid half of the money to the prostitutes and used the rest to cover expenses and pay workers. She said the profit was divided between her and two codefendants.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald asked Ramirez if she got help from a Twin Cities travel agent named Claudia Pelton. Ramirez said Pelton advised her how to send money abroad without raising red flags.

She said Pelton advised her to break the transfers into amounts below $1,000 to avoid government reporting requirements that might disclose the source of the funds. Ramirez said she paid Pelton a "tip" of $150 to $200 for helping her.

Pelton could not be reached immediately for comment. No person by that name has been charged publicly in federal court in Minnesota with any crimes.

Ramirez pleaded guilty to "conspiring to commit an offense against the United States," illegal reentry after deportation and aiding and abetting the transfer of money made in the promotion of prostitution with an intent to conceal the transfer.

The crimes carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. According to her plea agreement, though, the sentencing guidelines suggest a prison term of 4¼ to 5¼ years, plus two to three years of supervised release. Judge Ericksen must determine the appropriate sentence. Ramirez also has agreed not to dispute the seizure of $13,532 in money at her residence.