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Norristown Shooting Exposes Rival Sex-Trafficking Rings as Two Suspects Are Held Without Bail

Authorities say the Feb. 13 gunfire revealed competing operations moving women from Queens to Pennsylvania for prostitution.

Overview

  • Efran Flores-Rodriguez, 24, and Fernando Meza-Ramirez, 42, were arrested and charged with human trafficking, with Flores-Rodriguez also facing attempted murder in the shooting.
  • Police found Meza-Ramirez wounded in the thigh inside a bullet-riddled Toyota RAV4 on the 400 block of Sandy Street after the Feb. 13 attack.
  • Investigators say a stolen white Acura TLX followed Meza-Ramirez before shots were fired, and a witness identified Flores-Rodriguez as the shooter from the Acura.
  • A Feb. 17 search of Flores-Rodriguez’s Norristown residence turned up the Acura, two semi-automatic firearms, business materials, and a woman who described being transported from Flushing for paid sex.
  • The woman told police she worked for both men under similar arrangements that included six-day schedules, $60 ten-minute encounters, and keeping half the proceeds; both defendants remain in county custody with preliminary hearings set for April 10.