Miami – April 24, 2026 – State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle along with City of Miami Police Department Chief Manuel Morales announce the arrest of 15 individuals over the course of two-day operation designed to identify predators using online platforms to solicit, entice, or coerce minor victims into human trafficking. The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force conducts these types of operations periodically, with increased emphasis during major events like Formula One, Super Bowl, Ultra and the upcoming 2026FIFA World Cup.

Operation Wrong Turn, led by the Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force, included City of Miami Special Investigations Section – Narcotics Unit (VIN Detail), City of Miami ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Homestead Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Hialeah Police Department, Coral Gables Police Department, and Medley Police Department.

All 15 arrestees are being held without bond and are charged with:

Human Trafficking

Computer Services/Certain use prohibited

Computer Service, Travel to meet minor

“Operation Wrong Turn is an example of the success in our fight against the modern-day slavery of Human Trafficking and underscores the importance of our collaboration with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies using proactive enforcement strategies against those who seek to exploit minors,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “These arrests should send a clear message to anyone and everyone who would prey on our children, including the million plus visitors we expect to attend our many major events this year. Come for the sunshine, great beaches, and exciting events, but don’t even think of exploiting our residents.”

“Human trafficking will not be tolerated in our community. Thanks to the dedication of our City of Miami officers and the support of the State Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement partners, we’ve taken a significant step in protecting vulnerable individuals and dismantling these criminal networks,” said City of Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales. “We encourage anyone with information on human trafficking to come forward and report to law enforcement through the State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Hotline.”

 

Defendants arrested during the operation that ran from April 22-April 23, 2026, are:

During the operation, detectives posted an undercover advertisement and engaged in text and phone communications with multiple individuals responding to the ad.

Throughout these communications, suspects were explicitly informed that the advertised individuals were underage females. Despite this, multiple suspects continued negotiations and agreed to provide monetary compensation in exchange for sexual acts.
Once a price was established, suspects were directed to a predetermined location within the City of Miami. Upon arrival, the suspects were met by an undercover operative portraying a pimp who facilitated the exchange of money for access to the minors. After the money was exchanged, suspects were directed toward the location where the purported minors were supposedly located, and tactical enforcement units safely took each individual into custody without incident.

One of the subjects arrested was identified by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as a person of interest in an ongoing investigation involving his possession and downloading of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

If you know of or suspect Human Trafficking call the 24-hour SAO Human Trafficking Hotline at 305-349-7867 / 305-FIX-STOP.