Nashville Woman Arrested in Human Trafficking Ring Investigation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — An ongoing investigation into a human trafficking ring in Middle Tennessee has led to the arrest of a woman from Murfreesboro and the identification of at least twelve victims. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that special agents in the Human Trafficking Unit developed information about a woman known as “Yibi,” later identified as Yilibeth Rivero De Caldera, a 50-year-old resident of Murfreesboro. De Caldera is accused of trafficking female Hispanic immigrants for commercial sex in Nashville.

According to authorities, De Caldera provided financial assistance for women from Central and South America to travel to the United States. However, she allegedly imposed a large debt on the victims and forced them into engaging in commercial sex acts at local hotels to repay the debt.

The investigation into this trafficking ring involved the cooperation of various law enforcement agencies, including the Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force, the Metro Nashville Police Department, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, the Murfreesboro Police Department, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the 16th and 20th Judicial District Attorneys General Offices. On Thursday, December 14, a joint operation was conducted to gather evidence and rescue victims.

As a result of the operation, more than a dozen victims were identified. Seven of these victims accepted assistance and resources provided through partner nonprofits such as Ancora TN, Rescue One Global, Thistle Farms, and Catholic Charities.

Yilibeth Rivero De Caldera was apprehended in Rutherford County and subsequently transferred to Davidson County. She now faces nine charges of trafficking for a commercial sex act and is currently held at the Davidson County Jail on a bond of $900,000.

The investigation into this trafficking ring is ongoing, and authorities anticipate the possibility of additional arrests, charges, and further identification of victims. If you have any information about Yilibeth Rivero De Caldera or this criminal enterprise, please contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. Victims in need of assistance are encouraged to call the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-558-6484.

To learn more about human trafficking, its warning signs, and Tennessee’s response to this crime, please visit https://www.ithastostop.com/.