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SAO Official Seal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Click here to access the PDF version of this release.

Miami (December 1, 2022)

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and City of Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales announce the arrest of 29-year-old Kyron Lajon Richardson for his alleged involvement in Human Trafficking activity which forced a 21-year-old out-of-state resident into commercialized prostitution in Miami-Dade County. Richardson is charged with:

• 2 counts – Human Trafficking – 1st Degree Felony
• 1 count – Unlawful Use of a Communications Device – 3rd Degree Felony
• 1 count – Deriving Support from proceeds of Prostitution – 2nd Degree Felony

“Every Human Trafficking arrest involves the daily sexual exploitation of victims, often young victims, with the sole goal of putting cash in the trafficker’s pockets,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “The raw merchandizing of people’s lives will not be tolerated in this community. I am proud of the hard work done by my Human Trafficking Task Force to eliminate this problem and am appreciative of the consistent support supplied by the City of Miami Police Department in fighting this crime.”

The victim, who was allegedly recruited from Arkansas via a series of social media communications, was invited by Richardson to travel with him to Miami from her home in Little Rock. As happens far too often in cases alleging human trafficking, Richardson apparently began grooming the victim over the course of these communications telling her that she was too beautiful to be in Little Rock and that she should be in Miami with him. Richardson allegedly offered the victim a chance to join his lifestyle by providing her with a one-way airline ticket to Miami, without explaining what she would be doing while in Florida.

On the day following her arrival in Miami, she was taken to a home by Richardson, where she met three other women who resided at the home with him. During her time there, the victim witnessed physical violence towards the other women which caused her to fear angering Richardson.

The victim also indicated that Richardson owned a rifle which caused her to fear for her life. She felt she would anger Richardson if she did not earn money through prostitution dates and exotic dancing. All the money collected by the victim from the exotic dancing and prostitution went to Richardson.

On Thanksgiving, the victim was able to text her father that she was in trouble and sent him the address of the location. Her father called the City of Miami Police Department and on November 29th, 2022 Richardson was arrested by members of the State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force with $18,000 cash on his person. A search warrant was also executed at the home and two firearms, a rifle, and a handgun, were taken into custody.

If you are interested in seeking commentary from State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, you may call 305-547-0535 to see if it possible to make the necessary arrangements. Additionally, you may make email Ed Griffith at EdGriffith@MiamiSAO.com

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For further information, please contact Ed Griffith, Public Information Officer, at (305) 547-0535 or EdGriffith@MiamiSAO.com

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