United States Attorney Announces Joint Efforts To Prevent And Combat Human Trafficking In The Middle District Of Florida

 Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces efforts, in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, to prevent and combat human trafficking in the Middle District of Florida during National Slavery and Human Trafficking month and in preparation for Super Bowl LV in Tampa. The United States Attorney’s Human Trafficking Task Force stands at the forefront of law enforcement’s combined efforts to inform and protect communities across the district every day, and it is especially vigilant in preparation for large interstate events.

“Here in the Middle District of Florida, we are committed to protecting our most vulnerable citizens from becoming human trafficking victims,” said United States Attorney Chapa Lopez. “Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry. It is our responsibility to aggressively prosecute those who endeavor to exploit it for their financial gain and to educate our community to be on the lookout for the signs of human trafficking.”

During the 31 days of National Slavery and Human Trafficking month (January), the Human Trafficking Task Force, headed by AUSA Lisa Thelwell and with the support of the USAO-MDFL community outreach coordinators, assisted in the coordination and safe delivery of various virtual events to enable broader participation in joint human trafficking efforts, while preventing the spread of COVID-19. These presentations included:

• The Threat of Human Trafficking presentation to more than 500 Brevard County law enforcement partners during the Space Coast Human Trafficking Task Force Symposium

 

• A collaborative workshop with the Department of Juvenile Justice, the St. Petersburg College, and the City of St. Petersburg involving more than 200 community members from Hillsborough, Lee, Pasco, Polk, and Pinellas counties concerning human trafficking and its effects on communities 

 

• A partnership with the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force training law enforcement officers from 35 different agencies and prosecutors from 8 different prosecutorial offices regarding the detection, victim assistance, and prosecution of human trafficking crimes

 

• Trained the Freedom 7 Human Trafficking Task Force consisting of more than 200 members from Volusia, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas counties on how to deter and pursue human traffickers 

 

• Trained the Gateway to Freedom Human Trafficking Task Force, including over 400 law enforcement officers, public safety officials, educators, and social service providers in Columbia, Suwannee, and Hamilton counties on a multidisciplinary approach to eliminate human trafficking

 

• Panel discussion facilitated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including over 400 law enforcement and community members, concerning the priority of human trafficking detection and prosecution

 

• Distributed emergency supply kits and resources to at-risk trafficking individuals

 

These efforts follow the USAO-MDFL Human Trafficking Task Force’s preparations throughout the last year to maintain vigilance and further reduce the opportunities for human trafficking in preparation for Super Bowl LV, including a focused training in August 2020, hosted by the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators, regarding combating human trafficking during large-scale events. The United States Attorney also has assigned a team that stands ready to respond to human trafficking threats during the national event.

In addition to providing education, prevention, and technical and training assistance, the USAO-MDFL also vigorously prosecutes human trafficking crimes. Some of the most recent cases include:

United States v. Christopher John Streeter – In January 2021, Streeter was sentenced to life in federal prison for sex trafficking minors. Streeter participated in a scheme that sexually exploited children in the Philippines in order to produce child sex-abuse videos of children as young as 12 and 13 years old, who were particularly vulnerable due to poverty and illness. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (Tampa and Manila), with assistance from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray.

United States v. David Alan Quarles – In January 2021, Quarles was indicted and charged with conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; importation of an alien for the purpose of prostitution; transportation of an individual in interstate commerce for the purpose of prostitution, and using a facility of interstate commerce in aid of prostitution. If convicted on all counts, Quarles faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Colin McDonell.

United States v. Gregory Thomas Garcia – In October 2020, Garcia was charged with sex trafficking a minor. If convicted, Garcia faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.

United States v. Luis Berrios-Trinidad – In July 2020, Berrios-Trinidad was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for sex trafficking minors. Berrios-Trinidad arranged to bring female children to a hotel for a “sex party” with adult men. Berrios-Trinidad was arrested and the victims he had brought, ages 14 and 17, were rescued. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.

United States v. Edward Alan Hardin – In July 2020, Hardin was charged with two counts of sex trafficking minors and four counts of using a cellular phone to entice children to engage in unlawful sex acts. Hardin faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.