Ralph Kevin Tovar, Attempted Sex Trafficking, Florida 2022

A 31-year-old Hollywood man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in attempting to purchase commercial sex with minors. Ralph Kevin Tovar, a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center employee, was found guilty of two counts of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and one count of attempted enticement and coercion of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to court documents, between January and May 2022, Tovar engaged in negotiations with undercover officers to purchase sex with purported minors who were being advertised for commercial sex. On May 6, 2022, Tovar met with an undercover officer and paid the agreed-upon price to engage in sexual activity with both a 13-year-old and 15-year-old girl.

Following Tovar’s arrest, agents searched his cellphone and confirmed he had been attempting to purchase sex with minors since January 2022.

The Miami jury convicted Tovar after a thorough investigation by HSI Miami, with the assistance of the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Miami-Dade Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Arielle Klepach and Eduardo Gardea, Jr. prosecuted the case.

Tovar’s sentence of 15 years in prison is a harsh reminder of the severe consequences of attempting to engage in sex trafficking, particularly when it involves minors. The victims in this case were subjected to unimaginable harm and exploitation, and their bravery in coming forward should be commended.

This case serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit and harm vulnerable individuals, particularly children. The authorities will continue to work tirelessly to protect the most vulnerable members of our society and bring perpetrators to justice.

Ralph Kevin Tovar, 31, of Hollywood, Fla., was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempted sex trafficking of a minor and attempted enticement and coercion of a minor to engage in sexual activity. The crime took place in Miami, Fla., on May 6, 2022.

The case is part of a larger effort to combat human trafficking and protect the victims of this heinous crime. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 22-cr-20205.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/hollywood-man-convicted-attempting-purchase-commercial-sex-minors