MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced the arrest of a 27-year-old Broward County man Thursday, who she says is accused of trafficking a disabled woman for sex.
Rundle said following an undercover operation by the SAO’s Human Trafficking Task Force and the Miami Police Department, communication on MegaPersonals, a classified hookup website, led to a $140 transaction for sexual services between 27-year-old Justin Elias Portes, of Sunrise, and a 31-year-old victim.
According to an arrest report, an undercover officer met with the victim at a downtown Miami hotel where she received $200 in undercover funds to exchange with Portes for an hour of sexual intercourse.
Subsequently, upon exchanging money with Portes, undercover officers signaled for his takedown, leading to his detainment by tactical officers, the report stated.
Authorities said upon the victim’s arrival at a downtown Miami hotel, law enforcement officers observed signs indicating that the victim had physical and cognitive disabilities.
A subsequent investigation revealed that the victim had been transported to the hotel for prostitution purposes by Portes, who detectives say also profited from her engagements in prostitution.
It was also discovered that Portes was wearing an ankle monitor linked to an ongoing DUI and drug possession case in Broward County at the time of his arrest, according to investigators.
Portes’ arrest report states that he gave detectives consent to search his electronic devices while being interviewed.
Police said on April 5, Portes sent the victim a text message asking, “You want to boost your page today? Or not. Let me know before I give the car to my girl.”
Detectives said “boosting” in that case refers to refreshing online advertisements, including those found on websites known for soliciting prostitution.
Authorities said the proactive investigation on this case is part of the broader efforts to combat human trafficking ahead of the Formula One event scheduled to take place in Miami-Dade from May 3-5.
“Those traffickers who feel that selling someone’s body is no different from selling bottled water at a sporting event are in for a shock when they come to Miami-Dade County,” said Fernandez Rundle in a press release.
“I, Miami Police Chief (Manny) Morales, and the members of my Human Trafficking Task Force will not tolerate or accept such activities, now or at any special event held in our community. Traffickers should get that message, loud and clear,” added Morales in the release.
Jail records show Portes is facing one count each of human trafficking, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution and directing another individual to a place of prostitution.
Portes appeared in a Miami-Dade courtroom Thursday, where a judge held him without bond and ordered him to stay away from the victim at all times.