A keen-eyed hotel worker at the Lago Motor Inn in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, led to the arrest of two suspects involved in a disturbing sex trafficking operation. Richard Flores, 44, and Maria Barrios Calero, 44, were arrested on Sunday after authorities confirmed they were coordinating the prostitution of two minors at the hotel.
The operation came to light when the hotel clerk, after entering a room, found the young victims with Flores, along with a conspicuous condom. Concerned by the apparent age and demeanor of the victims, the clerk immediately contacted the police.
Palm Beach County Police Department, in their press release, acknowledged the clerk’s crucial role and emphasized the seriousness of the situation by stating, “Initial fact-finding by detectives on scene confirmed the commercial sex trafficking of two minor victims.”
The victims and suspects were subsequently taken for interviews about the hotel sex trafficking incident.
Nicole Bishop, the Director of Victim Services, shed light on the severity of the issue, stating that Palm Beach County ranks third in Florida for reported human trafficking incidents. Moreover, Florida is the third-highest state in the nation for such cases.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sex trafficking, you have rights and avenues for compensation. Please contact the Women’s Rights Group in California to ensure justice and support in your journey.
