A Dozen Men Arrested for Human Trafficking
Huge events often attract human traffickers. This is because major sporting events, concerts, and festivals may draw large crowds that attract business travelers, tourists, and temporary workers.
Twelve men were recently arrested during an undercover human trafficking operation in Homestead. The operation was conducted by the State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force. The reason behind the operation was the influx of visitors expected during the FIFA matches scheduled to take place in Miami-Dade County. The operation was designed to identify and arrest people who planned to engage in human trafficking and child exploitation before the start of the matches.
The men allegedly traveled to meet what they believed were young teens between the ages of 13 and 15 for sex. The suspects made payments before being taken into custody by law enforcement officers. The 12 men were arrested and are being held without bond.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney stated that the dozen men arrested knew they were buying a child. They had intended to have sex with the children, which is illegal. The suspects range in age from 20 to 50 years old. They had agreed to pay between $300 and $800 per child.
Some of the men intended to engage in sexual activity with more than one minor. A few the men agreed to pay for multiple sexual acts.
Approximately 70 police officers participated in the sting operation. The U.S. Attorney General provided funding to South Florida law enforcement so they can engage in sting operations related to FIFA-related human trafficking. The funding will support two to three additional undercover operations per week during the games.
There will also be public awareness campaigns, such as digital displays at airports, billboards, flyers, hotline information, and QR codes. The State Attorney’s Office is working with Airbnb, Uber, and the Hotel and Restaurant Association to promote these efforts and make people aware of human trafficking.
Why Do Huge Events Draw Human Traffickers?
Some factors that make major events attractive to traffickers include:
- Large crowds. When a city is filled with visitors who are unfamiliar with the area, it can be easier for criminal activity to go unnoticed. The constant flow of people makes it more difficult to identify suspicious behavior.
- Temporary employment opportunities. Major events often require additional workers for hospitality, construction, transportation, security, and food service. Workers may be exploited through wage theft, coercion, poor living conditions, or threats.
- Increased use of hotels and short-term rentals. Hotels, motels, and short-term rental properties experience higher occupancy during major events. Traffickers may attempt to use these locations to facilitate exploitation.
- Online advertising. Traffickers frequently use social media, messaging apps, and online advertisements to recruit victims. Large events can create opportunities to market illegal services to a larger audience.
Contact a Legal Professional for Help
Human trafficking is a serious crime. The laws are strict and the punishment can be very harsh.
Contact a Florida minor sex offense lawyer from the Law Offices of Gilbert A. Schaffnit right away to ensure a strong defense and help ensure a fair trial and good outcome. Schedule a consultation today by calling (352) 505-1799 or filling out the online form.
Source:
nbcmiami.com/news/local/pair-arrested-in-undercover-world-cup-human-trafficking-sting-authorities-say/3819098/
