MIAMI — Three people were arrested Thursday during an undercover prostitution sting carried out in Miami during Miami Music Week, authorities confirmed.
Detectives with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force, working alongside the Miami Police Department’s Investigations Section, said they conducted the operation as part of efforts to identify potential human trafficking victims during major events in South Florida, including Miami Music Week and the Ultra Music Festival.
According to the report, an undercover detective monitored online escort advertisements and initiated contact through Eros.com, which detectives say is used to advertise such services.
Through a series of text messages, police said the detective was directed to Axhel Perea, 34, who allegedly coordinated the meeting and communicated with the undercover officer about the arrangement.
The report states that Perea, of Miramar, confirmed told a detective that he had “a lot of girls” but two women “available” and provided photographs of them during the conversation. He also discussed payment options, indicating that payment could be made in cash or through a digital payment service.
Investigators said the meeting was arranged at an undisclosed hotel in Miami.
Shortly before the scheduled time, detectives said they observed a vehicle associated with Perea arrive near the location. The report states that the two women later entered the hotel lobby and were met by undercover officers.
Inside the hotel, the undercover detective met with the women, and a transaction was allegedly agreed upon for sexual services. After the exchange, law enforcement gave a prearranged signal, prompting tactical units to move in and detain the individuals.
Perea was detained as he attempted to leave the area in his vehicle, according to the report. The two women arrested were later identified as Maria Ribeiro,33, and Sandra Huaman, 31.
Authorities said that Huaman told detectives she had recently arrived in the United States and met Perea about a year ago during a previous visit, and said he reconnected with her before she returned to the country and arranged for her to meet at the Miami hotel.
The report states that Ribeiro told detectives she first met Perea about a year ago at Habibi Miami, a Mediterranean bar and lounge.
Jail records show three were arrested on prostitution-related charges, including deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution and directing another to a place for prostitution.
As of Friday morning, all three suspects were being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Records show Perea’s bond was listed as “to be set,” while Ribeiro’s bond was set at $5,000 and Huaman’s at $150.
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