Man pleads not guilty to human trafficking

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SAN ANTONIO, July 12 (UPI) -- A San Antonio man is on trial for the kidnapping, rape and prostitution of a 13-year-old runaway -- the same charges of which his older brother was convicted.

Prosecutors allege Juan and Bobby Moreno abducted a 13-year-old girl five years ago, tied her to a bed in a crack den and gang raped her multiple times before selling her to neighborhood men for sex.

Juan, 47, is already serving a life sentence without parole on charges of human trafficking, super aggravated sexual assault of a child, aggravated kidnapping and compelling prostitution.

The San Antonio Express-News reported Bobby, 44, who also goes by "Spider," pleaded not guilty to all the same charges Wednesday.

The victim, now 17, has acknowledged a crack habit, calling into question her reliability as an accuser, the report said. Prosecutors said she was repeatedly beaten and injected with drugs to keep her docile, which may have also impaired her memory.

"But for all the reasons she wasn't a perfect 13-year-old, she was a perfect target," said Prosecutor David Henderson in opening statements. "She tries to fight, but a 13-year-old cannot fight two grown men."

Defense Attorney Robert Shaffer pointed out the teen was a gang member who went by the name of "Tease."

"It's very obvious that the big question through this trial is going to be, 'Is this little girl telling you the truth, or is this a lie?'" Shaffer said in opening statements.