Miami man gets 10 years for running prostitution enterprise
A Miami Beach man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for operating a prostitution enterprise that profited from the prostitution of multiple women, including both foreign nationals and Miami-area residents, for his financial gain. Miguel A. Hernandez, 50, of Miami Beach, Florida, was sentenced on May 11, 2016, after pleading guilty to four counts of using a facility of interstate commerce to promote an unlawful activity and four counts of importing and attempting to import an alien for prostitution purposes.
According to documents filed in the case, Hernandez operated a highly profitable prostitution enterprise known as “International Playmates” from a hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2010. He and his associates recruited many of the women who worked for him from other countries, including Spain, Colombia, Venezuela and other Central and Latin American countries.
To facilitate the operation, Hernandez and his associates reserved and paid for plane tickets for foreign nationals to enter the United States, completed immigration paperwork, coached foreign nationals on what to say to customs officials when entering the United States and picked foreign nationals up at the airport. Hernandez openly advertised his business on the Internet and deposited the cash proceeds into multiple bank accounts.
As part of Hernandez’s enterprise, he engaged numerous individuals in the scheme, including overseas recruiters to identify more women; drivers to transport women to dates with prostitution clients; a website technician to advertise the enterprise’s services; various female associates to help manage the enterprise; and Eduardo Hernandez, his brother and co-defendant, to aid in operation of the scheme.
Prosecutors said Hernandez used physical force on at least two occasions against two different women, both Spanish nationals, and prostituted at least three minors for his profit. U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida praised the Anti-Trafficking Coordination Teams for their efforts in bringing Hernandez to justice.
Hernandez’s sentence serves as a reminder of the severity of human trafficking crimes and the consequences for those who exploit others for financial gain. His case is a testament to the collective commitment of law enforcement agencies to protect vulnerable members of our communities from victimization.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Human Trafficking|Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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