Moody unveils ‘Strike Team’ to combat human trafficking amid Biden border concerns

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody unveiled the Florida Human Trafficking Strike Team Thursday, aimed at combating transnational criminal groups “exploiting Biden’s open border to bring trafficking victims” into the U.S.

“Until Biden does his job and closes the border, we must continue to develop new methods to deal with international crime rings that exploit Biden’s reckless agenda to perpetuate crime in Florida,” Moody said.

The Strike Team is made up of Moody’s statewide prosecutors, Florida Department of Law Enforcement analysts and agents, deputies from Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, along with counter-human trafficking investigators and victim advocates. Their collective mission is to support local law enforcement in identifying and pursuing leads in trafficking cases statewide.

“Biden’s border crisis is emboldening transnational criminal organizations, and as a result, we are seeing horrific human trafficking cases right here in Florida,” Moody said.

The launch of this initiative comes on the heels of a collaborative effort among multiple agencies to dismantle a “massive” trafficking operation in the Tampa Bay region, resulting in the rescue of 10 victims.

“The disturbing facts of this case highlight the need for our new statewide Strike Team, and demonstrate how this expert team of investigators, prosecutors, analysts, and victims’ advocates can help coordinate efforts to take down trafficking operations and rescue victims,” she continued.

The Strike Team has already stepped in to aid local law enforcement in over 20 human trafficking cases, reaching out to nearly 40 victims. Among these cases is the Lina Payne investigation, where 10 victims were identified. Payne allegedly lured women from Colombia and Venezuela with promises of employment, only to subsequently coerce them into sex work to repay travel debts. The victims were held against their will, subjected to threats of violence if they resisted, according to Moody’s office.

The Strike Team’s probe into Payne also led to the apprehension of accomplices, Sebastian Jurado, Payne’s boyfriend, and Andres Payne, Payne’s son. Payne allegedly demanded exorbitant sums ranging from $40,000 to $50,000 from women recruited in Venezuela and Colombia for smuggling them across the border into the U.S.

With the support of the Strike Team, authorities have established communication with a minimum of 10 victims associated with the trafficking ring. It’s anticipated that this number will rise as the investigation progresses and further evidence is scrutinized.

Each defendant is confronting numerous felony charges. Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will handle the prosecution of these cases.

Alongside their direct efforts in combating trafficking, the team offers intelligence, counsel, and assistance to law enforcement agencies statewide. They also stand ready to organize emergency victim support services. Collaborating closely with the new statewide human trafficking tip line, 855-FLA-SAFE, the team promptly assesses reports of suspected trafficking, working with relevant law enforcement authorities to facilitate victim rescues.

“By working together, we have a better chance at stopping bad actors, like the suspects in today’s case, from abusing and taking advantage of victims who, in some cases, are just trying to survive,” Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said. “I am grateful to Attorney General Ashley Moody for her continuous support and to our agents and agency partners for their diligence in making sure these criminals can’t take advantage of vulnerable people anymore.”