MIAMI SPRINGS, Fla. – A Pembroke Pines couple was arrested Thursday by the Miami Springs Police Department on charges that include human trafficking and prostitution-related offenses, authorities said.
According to jail records, Matthew Daniel Vincent, 30, and Deja Washington, 23, were taken into custody outside of the Clarion Inn & Suites Miami International Airport, located at 5301 NW 36th St. in Miami Springs.
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Police said the arrest stemmed from an anonymous tip received by The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force on Wednesday, that the alleged victim was being forced into sex work by the couple.
Authorities said Vincent and Washington had manipulated the victim into engaging in sex work, taking her earnings and then subjecting her to various forms of coercion.
Police said the victim told police that she had been instructed to dance at strip clubs in Hallandale Beach and also engaged in sexual acts with clients.
The investigation revealed that Vincent sexually battered the victim, and Washington was responsible for coercing the victim to move from Kentucky to Miami. Together, they also coerced the victim into stripping and prostitution, according to detectives.
Police said the victim told authorities that she earned around $1,000 a day.
MSPD’s Investigations Division followed up on an anonymous tip and was able to locate the victim at a hotel.
During the course of their investigation, police said Vincent pulled up to the hotel in his vehicle with Washington and the couple were immediately detained.
As of Friday night, both Vincent and Washington were booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
They appeared in bond court Friday before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer, who set Washington’s total bond at $18,000 and told her to “stay out of trouble.”
Glazer said Vincent was known to be a violent offender and his bond was set at $43,000. Court records show he was on active probation out of Broward County.
The judge ordered him to stay away from the victim, and if he posts bond, he must show that the money provided is legitimate. Washington was also ordered to stay away from the victim.
Vincent faces charges of human trafficking, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution, coercing in sexual battery and directing another person for prostitution, according to jail records.
Washington faces charges of human trafficking, deriving support from proceeds to prostitution, and a separate prostitution charge.
Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Wilson Louis contributed to this report.