Veteran U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Luis Uribe was found guilty of using his position to commit crimes against several women. During the recent trial, he insisted from the witness stand that he was taught to respect women and denied any wrongdoing. He asserted, “I’ve never raped anybody in my life…never beat a prostitute or any woman in my life, ever.” Despite his testimony, the jury found Uribe guilty on all counts, including robbery, sexual assault, and assault of four Chinese sex workers in Chicago-area hotel rooms in 2022.

Jury’s Verdict

The jury, consisting of six men and six women, deliberated for about 6.5 hours over two days. They convicted Uribe, 45, of 11 counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and brandishing a firearm during violent crimes. The verdict was read in U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso’s courtroom, where Uribe showed no reaction. Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, with potential consequences ranging from 7 years to life imprisonment.

The Trial and Testimonies

The trial featured stark testimonies about the systemic exploitation in the sex trade, where immigrants often fall victim to forced labor. Uribe, stationed at O’Hare International Airport, was accused of abusing his law enforcement powers to attack women over nine months in 2022.

Prosecutors argued that Uribe misused his authority to commit crimes he was supposed to prevent. Meanwhile, his attorneys claimed the victims lied and had ulterior motives, such as seeking help with immigration issues to trap him.

Evidence Against Uribe

A crucial part of the trial involved a government-issued Glock handgun and a badge resembling those used by Uribe in the assaults. The jury also heard about DNA evidence linking Uribe to a 2022 hotel attack. A selfie from his phone, displaying him with the gun, was presented as evidence.

The victim’s testimony, given through interpreters, identified Uribe as the perpetrator. A photo distributed via WeChat of Uribe at a seafood buffet was also shown as a community warning.

Defense Argument

Uribe took the stand to claim he was offered a bribe of $7,000 and free sex to aid the trafficking ring with immigration. He maintained the encounters were consensual and denied any charges of rape or robbery.

During cross-examination, a notable exchange occurred when Uribe was asked about an early exit from work supposedly to visit the gym but instead met ‘Tina’ at a hotel. Uribe’s response was criticized by the prosecution and his own attorney tried to downplay the comment, attributing it to frustration.

Victims’ Courage

Prosecutor Jonathan Shih urged the jury to weigh the victims’ emotional testimony against Uribe’s demeanor in court. He described the victims as emotional and direct, recounting their experiences with Uribe. Shih highlighted how one victim wept and another showed anger during testimony.

Shih also argued that Uribe’s behavior portrayed him as “a rapist in a police uniform,” urging the jury to focus on these serious charges over any misleading appearances of Uribe’s role.