DENHAM SPRINGS, LA — Three individuals from Alabama have been arrested on human trafficking charges following a joint investigation between the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office and Denham Springs Police Department that began at a local gas station in August.
Sheriff Jason Ard announced that Kelly Hernandez, 38, of Bessemer, Alabama, along with Enrique Gonzales, 27, also of Bessemer, and Omar Gonzales, 28, of Mexico, were taken into custody after authorities uncovered an alleged scheme to transport people who had recently entered the United States illegally.
The investigation began when Denham Springs Police responded to the Pilot Gas Station regarding a possible kidnapping. During their initial response, officers discovered evidence pointing to human trafficking and contacted the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office Homeland Security Task Force.
"Denham Springs PD responded to the Pilot Gas Station in reference to a possible kidnapping. Officers were able to speak with subjects and learn about evidence tied to human trafficking," Sheriff Ard said in a statement.
LPSO's Homeland Security Task Force officers and federal Homeland Security agents took over the investigation. With assistance from a bilingual Denham Springs Police officer, authorities questioned the suspects and uncovered the alleged trafficking operation.
According to investigators, the three suspects had traveled from Alabama to Texas with the intent to transport three individuals who had recently entered the country illegally across multiple states back to Alabama in exchange for money.
All three suspects were processed into the Livingston Parish Detention Center. Hernandez faces three counts of human trafficking under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:46.2. Both Enrique and Omar Gonzales face the same three human trafficking charges, with both being held on ICE detainers. Omar Gonzales faces an additional charge of unlawful entry or re-entry into the state of Louisiana by an illegal alien.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to Sheriff Ard's office.
The sheriff's office thanked their law enforcement partners for their assistance in the investigation. Citizens can access booking information through the LPSO mobile app by clicking the "Who's in Jail?" feature.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
