Tampa Daily Press

Detectives began covering the apartments with covert surveillance in October 19. They also claimed to have seen a dark-blue SUV registered to Maqueira De La Cal. They also observed people entering and exiting the apartments, which they believe to be Garcia and Maqueira de La Cal.

Detectives discovered that three young women were in Maqueira de La Cal’s SUV and then left with him.

Detectives stated that they were taken to two other locations, the first to a local gentleman’s club, and then to a gambling venue.

The women were made to work in Hillsborough and Pinellas county clubs to pay their “travel debts” after being brought to the United States from Cuba. Detectives discovered this. They were also required to perform prostitution-related sex acts.

Investigators discovered that some victims had been featured on advertisements for escort services online.

Rosalia Leonard Garcia drove an SUV that was being monitored by detectives. They also discovered several women had been dropped off at a nearby shopping center.

Detectives were able identify one of the women from an advertisement on the group’s website and she confirmed the information they had. She stated that all of Garcia’s women were victims of human trafficking.

Detectives executed a search warrant at the apartments and found cash, condoms, and a stolen firearm. The gun was believed to have been used to intimidate and force the women into sex acts for commercial purposes, as well to threaten the family of the victims.

Selah Freedom, a nonprofit that assists victims of human trafficking, saved the eight victims and has provided resources and a safe space for them to stay.

“I am certain that this horrible business would have continued and grown if Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Section hadn’t stepped in when it did,” stated Sheriff Chad Chronister. “These suspects didn’t care about anything other than making money from innocent lives. They forced them into poor living and work conditions.

Rosalia Leonard Garcia and Amet Ramon De La Cal were both arrested and charged with the following charges:

• Human trafficking, eight counts
• Four counts of receiving prostitution support
• Four counts of transporting for prostitution
• Unlawful use a two-way communication device
• The Racketeering Influencing Corupt Organization Act is Violation
• False imprisonment, eight counts
• Four counts of forcing another person to become a prostitute
• Eight counts of solicitation or conspiracy for sexual battery
• Human smuggling, eight counts

Maqueira De La Cal is also facing a grand theft of firearms charge.