Twelve people were detained as a result of a recent mission the Human Trafficking Unit of Portland performed. The Human Trafficking Unit looked into possible cases of trafficking on July 13 at Northeast 82nd Avenue between Northeast Tillamook Street and Northeast Prescott Street.
The Unit collaborated with all three precincts in Portland as well as a number of other organizations, including the Portland Victim Services Unit.
Here is a tweet below confirms the news:
12 arrested in Hillsborough County human trafficking sting, deputies say https://t.co/OnwVlkaIoE pic.twitter.com/Ex9qYOpSKg
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) May 19, 2023
Seven people were identified as probable victims of trafficking after the mission. The victims were given access to support systems and services.
Twelve persons were detained, two automobiles were towed, and they were charged with commercial s*xual solicitation of purchasers.
The people detained were:
- 42-year-old Shaun Accardo
- 41-year-old Mario Juarez-Ramirez
- 25-year-old Devontre Strawn
- 27-year-old Anival Valencia
- 33-year-old Gerardo C. De Paz Mayorga
- Aaron W. Meier, age 36
- 45-year-old Benjamin Sales-Morales
- 41-year-old Jose Vivanco-Sanchez
- 56-year-old Kurt A. Schmutz
- 47-year-old Matthew M. Smith
- 45-year-old Juan D. Gonzalez Montero
- 26-year-old Ahmet Cokurlu
We’ll update you if this news changes. Visit our website Focushillsboro for the latest news on this issue.
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