TUCSON, AZ — Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying additional sex trafficking victims who have been forced to work with two recently arrested alleged perpetrators.
A 14-year old child has been identified and rescued in Tucson; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents suspect there are more victims.
Maurice Fitzgerald Alexander, 31, arrested in Tucson, and Erica Lucia Navarro, 31, arrested in El Paso, Texas, were simultaneously arrested Oct. 21. Both defendants were initialed in federal court where they both face sex trafficking charges. Neither defendant has been awarded bond.
The investigation on Alexander and Navarro began in early October when HSI Tucson special agents responded to a juvenile victim who reported she had been trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Through investigative techniques, special agents discovered the minor victim had been exploited for the purposes of sexual exploitation in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas between August and October. The minor was 14 years old when her sex trafficking incident began.
According to court documents, the victim reported she was recruited on social media. HSI special agents continue to identify and investigate the scope of these alleged sex traffickers and strongly suspect there are additional victims associated with Alexander and Navarro.
HSI is asking anyone who may have had previous contact with Alexander and/or Navarro or thinks they may have information that may be relevant to the ongoing sex trafficking investigation, is asked to call (520) 229-5100.