Human Traffickers Busted In Montco, 1 Shot: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — A pair of human trafficking operations in Montgomery County have been busted after one man attempted to murder a man from a rival organization in Norristown, the district attorney's office announced.

Efran Flores-Rodriguez, 24, of Norristown, and Fernando Meza-Ramirez, 42, of Corona, New York have both been charged with human trafficking and involuntary servitude. Flores-Rodriguez was also charged with the attempted murder of Mesa-Ramirez.

Mesa-Ramirez scoured New York City for women and then drove them down to Norristown for prostitution, the DA's investigation found. He had numerous business cards on him that featured photos of scantily clad women, police said.

He quickly became involved in a turf war with Flores-Rodriguez, who ran his human trafficking operation from his home on Jacoby Street in Norristown, according to officials.

It remains unclear how many victims were trafficked by each men, though a victim told police that the men had been operating in the local area for years.

Police found a victim of Flores-Rodriguez when they searched his home, and she described the details of the operation, authorities said. She said Flores-Rodriguez had her live in a room of the Jacoby Street home and he drove men to her for sexual services Monday through Saturday, according to the DA.

The victim received half of the week's wages, police said.

That same woman previously worked for Mesa-Ramirez as well.

Flores-Rodriguez spotted Mesa-Ramirez's vehicle on Lafayette Street on Feb. 13, at around 7:24 p.m., officials said.

He then followed Mesa-Ramirez to Sandy Street, parked next to him and fired multiple gunshots, striking Mesa-Ramirez in the thigh, police said.

Both men were arrested on Feb. 17 and arraigned on Feb. 18. They were booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail. Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for April 10.