Jeb Bush's FLORIDA (MIAMI)-- Police say that they have busted a prostitution ring that was recruiting and using underage girls as prostitutes.
A 16-year-old runaway told her parents about the sex ring when she was returned home last weekend. She said she met a man who said he would help her find work and a place to stay. Then she says the man, Leonardo Guevara, took her into a bedroom and had sex with her to "test her employment skills." She says he then handed her over to five men who took turns having sex with her to induct her into the "family," a prostitution ring.
In addition to being owned and managed by Guevara, police say the prostitution ring has an enforcer whose job was to take the girls on location and physically enforce the rules by beating the girls if they got out of line.
Police said the enforcer, Harold Danny Banos, confessed to investigators.
The 16-year-old told police that on Saturday, Guevara and Banos introduced her to another five adult men who also had sex her. At one point, she says she left the room, telling Banos that she was tired.
She said Banos forcefully ordered her back into the room.
The teen said she eventually managed to sneak away and return to her home.
When they learned of the incident, Miami Police Department special victims unit launched an investigation.
Detectives gathered evidence and soon arranged a rendezvous with the offenders and another teen prostitute.
Guevara and Banos were taken into custody at a location near Miami Senior High School.
Police say a madam, Naivis Meulner, who was working with the men, has also confessed.
The prostitution ring used the phone listing "Top Notch Escorts," (editor's note: WE SHOULD ALL CALL THEM!) according to police.
Investigators said Guevara, Banos and Meulner all confessed to running an adult prostitution ring but refused to admit that minors worked for them even when confronted with evidence to the contrary.
They are charged with several counts of procuring minors for prostitution, contributing to the delinquency of minors, and several counts of interfering with the custody of minors.
Besides the prostitution charges, Meulner is also charged with cocaine possession.
A 16-year-old runaway told her parents about the sex ring when she was returned home last weekend. She said she met a man who said he would help her find work and a place to stay. Then she says the man, Leonardo Guevara, took her into a bedroom and had sex with her to "test her employment skills." She says he then handed her over to five men who took turns having sex with her to induct her into the "family," a prostitution ring.
In addition to being owned and managed by Guevara, police say the prostitution ring has an enforcer whose job was to take the girls on location and physically enforce the rules by beating the girls if they got out of line.
Police said the enforcer, Harold Danny Banos, confessed to investigators.
The 16-year-old told police that on Saturday, Guevara and Banos introduced her to another five adult men who also had sex her. At one point, she says she left the room, telling Banos that she was tired.
She said Banos forcefully ordered her back into the room.
The teen said she eventually managed to sneak away and return to her home.
When they learned of the incident, Miami Police Department special victims unit launched an investigation.
Detectives gathered evidence and soon arranged a rendezvous with the offenders and another teen prostitute.
Guevara and Banos were taken into custody at a location near Miami Senior High School.
Police say a madam, Naivis Meulner, who was working with the men, has also confessed.
The prostitution ring used the phone listing "Top Notch Escorts," (editor's note: WE SHOULD ALL CALL THEM!) according to police.
Investigators said Guevara, Banos and Meulner all confessed to running an adult prostitution ring but refused to admit that minors worked for them even when confronted with evidence to the contrary.
They are charged with several counts of procuring minors for prostitution, contributing to the delinquency of minors, and several counts of interfering with the custody of minors.
Besides the prostitution charges, Meulner is also charged with cocaine possession.
