A woman believed to be involved in a sex trafficking operation in Queens is facing charges after she allegedly coerced another woman into prostitution, reportedly earning up to $800 a night from her. Valezka Echeverri, 31, is accused of orchestrating this scheme since November 2022, when a Mexican woman was allegedly paid to live with her in New York City.
According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Echeverri used threats to compel the victim into a life of prostitution along Roosevelt Avenue, imposing daily quotas and subjecting her to physical violence.
“Human trafficking is a violent, inhumane practice that exploits and ruins lives,” Katz remarked in a statement.
Allegations also state that Echeverri forced the victim to remove the man she was seeing, ensuring she met her nightly earning goal. Furthermore, she reportedly threatened another victim in 2023, demanding $100 from her for engaging in prostitution at the “lovers’ market,” and warned that there would be consequences if she sought help from the police.
This is not Echeverri’s first brush with the law regarding such activities; she was charged in November 2024 for allegedly pushing a transgender woman into prostitution in the same area.
Recently, she was arrested on multiple charges—including three counts of sex trafficking, two counts of grand theft, and several counts related to prostitution. If prosecuted for the most serious charge, she could face a maximum of 25 years in prison.
Echeverri is set to appear in court again on September 18th.
