Two undocumented migrants have been arrested in connection with the alleged sex trafficking of a 15-year-old girl, who was reported missing from New York last month, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Colombian Yenire Karolina Pacheco Leiton, 33, and Venezuelan Enyerbert Alberto Blanco, 27, were taken into custody early Saturday morning and are being held without bond at the Palm Beach County Jail. Pacheco Leiton faces 10 counts of human trafficking a minor and one count of interference with custody. Blanco has been charged with interference with custody and resisting arrest without violence.
The investigation began after the sheriff’s office received a tip on October 17 regarding the trafficking of a minor. The Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit launched an inquiry and discovered the girl had been reported missing from New York since mid-September. Investigators also found photos of her in online ads commonly used for commercial sex trafficking.
Detectives tracked Pacheco Leiton, Blanco, and the teenager to a Motel 6 near Riviera Beach. The girl was found in one room, while the two suspects were in a separate room. According to authorities, the girl admitted to having sex with several men in exchange for money, and that Pacheco Leiton had arranged at least 13 “dates” for her, all with men over the age of 18.
A search of the girl’s phone revealed messages with clients and sexually explicit photos used in trafficking ads. Additional messages between the girl and Pacheco Leiton showed evidence of grooming and trafficking, according to the sheriff’s office. In Pacheco Leiton’s motel room, investigators found condoms and a ledger detailing payments and clients.
At a court appearance on Saturday, a judge denied bond for both suspects and ordered them to have no contact with the victim, any minors, or each other.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office held a Monday news conference to announce the arrests.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said they are investigating if the trafficking case is connected to a Venezuelan gang, and that this is not the first something along these lines has happened in the county.
The sheriff said both suspects will remain in jail until their next court appearance. The teenager is awaiting pick up from New York Social Services and will be reunited with her family.
