Pembroke Pines man trying to meet 15-year-old boy finds deputies waiting for him
A Pembroke Pines resident was one of seven men arrested in a Broward Sheriff’s Office sting operation targeting human trafficking during the World Cup, according to the agency.
Deputies arrested Luis Chifundo-Ortiz, 23, at the Cambria Hotel in Dania Beach on Thursday, June 25, on accusations that he solicited sex acts and traveled to meet a detective posing as a 15-year-old boy, reads his arrest report.
Chifundo-Ortiz matched with the decoy teen on Grindr the day before, deputies say, striking up a conversation on the LGBTQ+ dating app before moving to text messaging.
The chat continued through the next day, when deputies say the 23-year-old brought up “meeting the purported child and engaging in unlawful sexual conduct.”
According to BSO, Chifundo-Ortiz was made aware of the teen’s age, asking the undercover detective to confirm his parents would be away at a soccer event long enough and adding, “You’re not 18+, so I have to be aware of that.”
He then traveled from his Pembroke Pines home to the Cambria Hotel, where deputies arrested him before booking him in the Paul Rein Detention Center.
Jail records show the 23-year-old — who’s originally from Panama — is behind bars without bond due to an immigration hold.
He faces two felony charges: traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a minor and misrepresenting age while using a computer to solicit a minor.
“In soccer, a red card ejects a player from the match for a serious violation,” said BSO in a July 2 news release announcing the human trafficking crackdown, dubbed Operation Red Card.
“Through this operation, law enforcement delivered that same message to human traffickers. They are not welcome here.”
Deputies say the operation has resulted in the rescue of 10 victims who have since been given shelter, medical care and counseling services. One child identified as a female “teenage runaway from out of town” was also reunited with her family.
BSO added the men arrested as part of the crackdown face charges including human trafficking of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, solicitation of a minor and possession of MDMA.
