Ashley Moody: Eight Women Rescued After Sex Trafficking Investigation, Multiple Arrests

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (FLV) – Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging two defendants with multiple counts of human trafficking after eight women were rescued as part of an investigation in Florida.

An investigation by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office revealed a human smuggling and trafficking operation running in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties by Amet Maqueira De La Cal and Rosalia Leonard Garcia.

De La Cal allegedly smuggled eight women into the United States and through threats of violence, forced the women into sex trafficking and working in adult entertainment clubs to pay off the debts, according to the AG’s office.

“These horrific acts of sex trafficking are among the most depraved crimes we have seen in a long time and highlight how criminals are taking advantage of Biden’s open border to advance their illicit trade.

I applaud the swift, courageous actions of Sheriff Chronister’s deputies and ensure my Statewide Prosecutors will hold the traffickers accountable in court for what they did to these eight women.”

Attorney General Ashley Moody

According to officials, the traffickers told the victims they owed $60,000 each, withheld the women’s IDs and other documents, and forced the victims to live in close quarters under the traffickers’ control.

One of the victims made a call to a human trafficking helpline, which notified authorities of the operation.

De La Cal and Garcia are both charged with 47 counts in total, including human trafficking charges.

The women rescued through this operation are reportedly receiving counseling and other resources.

Attorney General Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute the case.

To learn the signs and how to report human trafficking and suspicious activity, visit YouCanStopHT.com.