A two-day undercover police operation in Miami has led to the arrest of 15 individuals accused of child sex trafficking, according to authorities in South Florida.
Named "Operation Wrong Turn," this sting was executed by the Human Trafficking Task Force of the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office and the Special Investigations Section of the Miami Police Department on April 22 and 23.
Undercover detectives posted an online ad pretending to be a mother offering the sexual services of her purported daughters, aged 13 and 15, in exchange for money.
The suspects responded to the ad, engaging in text and phone communications with the agents. They were explicitly informed they were dealing with minors but proceeded to negotiate and agreed to pay for sexual acts.
Once a price was set, the suspects were directed to a Miami hotel where an undercover officer posing as a pimp received the money in the lobby.
Upon entering the room where the encounter was supposed to take place, they were apprehended by tactical units without incident.
Five suspects were detained on Wednesday, April 22, and another nine on Thursday, April 23.
Telemundo reported that those arrested came from diverse backgrounds, including a university student, an aerospace engineer, and a Miami-Dade County employee.
Additionally, HSI identified one suspect as a person of interest in a separate investigation involving the possession and downloading of child sexual abuse material.
The 14 adults arrested are: Jacinto Brito Raymundo (23, Miami-Dade), Edgardo Arturo Donaire (49, Miramar), Josue Donis Castanon (20, Fort Lauderdale), Carlos Adrian Flores Rojas (27, Miami Gardens), Mandy Gonzalez (39, Moore Haven), Oisnel Gonzalez Rodriguez (25, Miami), Roberto Antonio Guido Rojas (38, Miami), Creshawn Akcire Lewis-Starks (24, West Park), Frank Carlos Lopez de la Rosa (24, Miami-Dade), Kalaivanan Murugan (25, Doral), Miles Simyon (22, Sweetwater), Jonathan Lee Testa (25, Miami-Dade), Marvin Geovanny Torres (43, Miami-Dade), and Jony Esau Zeledon Rizo (33, Miami-Dade).
The fifteenth individual is a 16-year-old teenager, whose identity has not been disclosed due to their age.
All suspects, residing in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, face charges including human trafficking, illegal computer usage, and traveling to meet a minor, and are being held without bail.
The operation also involved Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and the police departments of Homestead, Hialeah, Coral Gables, and Medley.
This operation is not an isolated incident. In May 2025, a similar undercover operation by the same State Attorney's Office resulted in the arrest of three men attempting to pay for sexual encounters with girls aged 12 and 14 in a Miami hotel.
In 2023, two men were apprehended for child sex trafficking in Hialeah as part of similar operations in South Florida.
Authorities have ramped up these operations in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will bring over a million visitors to Miami, hosting seven matches at the Hard Rock Stadium from June 11 to July 19.
In 2024, a Cuban man in Miami was arrested for attempting to engage in sexual activities with a minor, highlighting the persistence of such crimes in the area.
Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the Miami-Dade State Attorney, praised the operation's results as a testament to the fight against modern slavery represented by human trafficking.
“This underscores the importance of our collaboration with local, state, and federal security agencies through proactive strategies against those seeking to exploit minors,” she stated in a press release.
“These arrests should send a clear message to anyone attempting to exploit our children, including the over a million visitors expected for our numerous large events this year. Come for the sunshine, the stunning beaches, and the exciting events, but do not dare exploit our residents.”
Key Details on Miami Child Trafficking Arrests
What was the purpose of Operation Wrong Turn?
Operation Wrong Turn aimed to apprehend individuals involved in child sex trafficking by using an undercover sting operation in Miami.
How were the suspects caught in the sting operation?
Suspects were caught after responding to an online ad, negotiating with undercover agents, and arriving at a designated hotel for the illicit encounter.
What charges are the arrested individuals facing?
The individuals face charges including human trafficking, illegal computer use, and traveling to meet a minor, with no bail granted.
Which agencies were involved in the operation?
The operation involved multiple agencies, including the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, Miami Police Department, HSI, FDLE, and local police departments.