SAN ANTONIO – With graphic allegations, prosecutors outlined their human trafficking case against Bobby "Spider" Moreno in 379th District Court on Wednesday.
"Not only did he rape the child, beat the child and threaten the child and her family," prosecutor David Henderson told the jury during opening arguments, "he kidnapped her and tied her down and he let other people rape her for money."
The victim, a 13-year-old girl, was abducted by Moreno and his brother when she visited the men's East side crack house in Decmber 2007, trying to buy drugs, Henderson said.
"She was not a perfect 13-year-old. She was a chronic runaway and she had drug problems," Henderson said.
But he said her testimony is credible.
The teen's credibility was called into question by Moreno's attorney.
"The key question throughout this trial is going to be, ‘Is this little girl telling you the truth?'" Defense Attorney Robert Shaffer told the jury. "Or did she make this up? Is it a lie?"
In December 2010, Moreno's brother, Juan Moreno, 47, was convicted in the case. It was the first human trafficking case ever tried by the Bexar County District Attorney's office.
He was sentenced to four life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Like his brother, Bobby Moreno is facing life in prison if he is convicted.
Testimony will resume on Thursday in Judge Ron Rangel's 379th District Court.