Luis Uribe Convicted for Crimes Against Chinese Sex Workers

Veteran U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Luis Uribe stood before a federal jury to assert his innocence, claiming he respected women and had never committed acts of violence or theft against them. He emphatically denied all allegations, stating, “I’ve never raped anybody in my whole life. I never robbed anybody in my whole life. I never beat a prostitute — or any woman — in my life, ever.” Despite his defense, the jury found him guilty of numerous charges, including using his firearm and authority to rob, sexually assault, and physically harm four Chinese sex workers in 2022.

After approximately six and a half hours of deliberation, the jury, consisting of six men and six women, convicted Uribe of 11 counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. The verdict was delivered in U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso’s courtroom. As the decision was announced, Uribe exhibited no visible reaction, while a female relative quietly cried in the gallery.

As he was escorted out of the courtroom, Uribe addressed his family, saying, “Take care of my kids,” followed by “I love you, babe!” His supporters departed the courthouse in silence. Uribe could face a prison term ranging from seven years to life, with sentencing scheduled for January 21.

The conviction concluded a trial that explored the grim realities of the Chinese sex trade, where new immigrants are lured by promises of easy money. Testimonies described how Uribe, stationed at O’Hare International Airport, misused his position to attack women in Chicago-area hotels during 2022.

Prosecutors asserted that Uribe had corrupted his duty, transforming from a crime investigator to a perpetrator. Uribe’s lawyers contended that while he had visited prostitutes, the alleged victims were unreliable and had manipulated him by seeking assistance with immigration issues.

Key evidence included Uribe’s government-issued Glock gun and Customs badge, which victims recognized from the attacks. Additionally, Uribe’s DNA was found on bedsheets, and a selfie from his phone depicted him with a gun, reinforcing the prosecution’s case.

The victims testified through interpreters, identifying Uribe as their assailant. Evidence also included a photograph of Uribe at a lunch with the sex trafficking organization, where a proposition for free sex in exchange for halting his attacks was reportedly discussed. “Lisa,” a key witness, alleged that Uribe accepted the offer and had sex with two women shortly after the meeting.

During his testimony, Uribe maintained that he was offered money and sex to help the trafficking group with immigration concerns, denying any wrongdoing. He described his encounters as consensual and claimed threats of being framed after refusing assistance.

A tense moment arose under cross-examination when questioned about leaving work to meet a prostitute. Uribe responded with a joke, equating the encounter to a “workout,” which prosecutors used to challenge his credibility. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Shih highlighted the contrasting demeanor of the victims and Uribe, noting their emotional and candid testimonies compared to his joking and dismissive attitude.

Shih argued that Uribe was not a true law enforcement officer but a criminal, saying, “He wasn’t a cop, he was a rapist with a gun.”