Suffolk County Police have arrested a Bronx man for his alleged role in an international human trafficking operation that investigators say brought victims into Suffolk County over a three-year period.
According to police, between March and September 2022, officers assigned to the Second Precinct Investigative Unit conducted surveillance at the Roadway Inn, located at 270 West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station, after observing women believed to be victims of human trafficking.
Following a lengthy investigation by the Suffolk County Police Human Trafficking Investigations Unit — with assistance from the Second Precinct Investigative Unit, SCPD Warrant Enforcement Section, NYPD, FBI, and Nassau County District Attorney investigators — Erick Acevedo was arrested Wednesday morning on Cedar Avenue in the Bronx at approximately 10:35 a.m.
Investigators allege Acevedo transported women to hotels and collected money from sex workers as part of the operation. Police say the trafficking ring has ties to the Dominican Republic, Brazil, New York, Florida, and possibly other states. The investigation remains ongoing.
Acevedo, 36, of 1750 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, was charged with Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, a felony, and Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a misdemeanor. He was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have been a victim of this human trafficking ring, or who has information related to the investigation, to contact the Suffolk County Police Human Trafficking Unit at 631-854-7512 or Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Photo: SCPD.
