Human Trafficking Sting Yields 6 New Arrests: Manatee County Sheriff

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — An undercover human trafficking sting dubbed Operation Refuge led to the arrests of six men trying to meet minors for sex, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

The men were arrested Thursday and Friday by detectives conducting simultaneous undercover operations focused on combating human trafficking and targeted people responding to online advertisements for sex with minors.

During the operation, 189 people responded to the ads on adult websites and knowingly inquired about meeting minors for sex, the sheriff’s office said. The ages of the girls, all under 15, were told to all 189 people, who continued to engage in conversation with undercover deputies chatting with them.

Of those who inquired, six men made arrangements to meet up with a minor and were arrested after money was exchanged, the agency said.

• Jerome Jeffson, 26, engaging in human trafficking labor, traveling to meet a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device
• Marckendy Dariste, 32, engaging in human trafficking labor and traveling to meet a minor
• Edward Aji, 35, engaging in human trafficking labor, traveling to meet a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device
• Juan Ojeda, 29, engaging in human trafficking labor, traveling to meet a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device
• Miguel De La Cruz, 21, engaging in human trafficking labor, traveling to meet a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device
• Andrew Lang, 44, engaging in human trafficking labor, traveling to meet a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Ten women were arrested for prostitution during the same two-day period after they came to a hotel following online communication with undercover detectives and took payment in exchange for sexual acts, the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives also rescued one known victim of human trafficking and are currently investigating other connections to human trafficking. More victims are likely, and charges are pending for another individual identified through the operation.

As the third part of Operation Refuge, detectives also served three search warrants to massage businesses.

Charges are pending for deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution for the owner of Royal Relaxation, 1248 Whitfield Ave., and an employee at Latin Relaxation, 1417 Cortez Road West, MCSO said.

VIP Sauna, 7325 North Tamiami Trail, was cited for numerous business violations by Manatee County Code Enforcement. Detectives continue to work with Code Enforcement to permanently shut down the businesses.

Sun Spa (8251 15th St E, Sarasota) has already been closed as a result of Operation Refuge, the sheriff's office said.

Over the last several months, the MCSO Special Investigations Unit, Crimes Against Children and the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force has conducted the multi-faceted human trafficking operation, which has consisted of search warrants at illicit massage parlors, as well as undercover operations focused on victim recovery and arrests of individuals knowingly participating in human trafficking.

So far, the operation has resulted in 17 arrests and the recovery of one victim. Detectives have also gathered information on other possible victims.