Who: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Operations Bureau -Special Victims Unit Patrol Operations Bureau -Violent Offender Warrants Unit (VOWU)
Pasco County Sheriff's Office
Homeland Security Investigations Case #1
Julian J. Montoya III (Arrested) DOB: 04/04/1993 Address: 3290 Causeway Drive, Palm Harbor Arrested for Human Trafficking, Transmission of Material Harmful to Minors, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia
Johnathan D. Zakel (Arrested In Pasco County) DOB: 01/19/1986 Address: 22710 Watersedge Boulevard Apartment 80, Land O Lakes Arrested for Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor
Humberto A. Frutos (Arrested) DOB: 01/24/1990 Address: 4025 73rd Street North, St. Petersburg Arrested for Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor
A total of four victims were identified: Victim 1 is 16 year of age Victims 2, 3 and 4 are 15, 17 and 17 years old Per Florida Statute 119.071(2)(h)1, no further information will be released that would tend to identify the victims.
Case #2
Dominique J. Drake (Arrested) DOB: 05/12/1992 Address: 4100 Narvarez Way South, St. Petersburg Arrested for Human Trafficking
Syrenite L. McGee (Arrested) DOB: 11/22/1991 Address: 4600 50th Avenue North, St. Petersburg Arrested for Human Trafficking Victim is a 17- year-old female. Per Florida Statute 119.071(2)(h)1, no further information will be released that would tend to identify the victim
What: Detectives assigned to the Special Victims Unit have arrested three suspects for human trafficking; and two others on human trafficking related charges. The arrests involve two separate cases in which trafficking of juveniles has occurred in Pinellas County.
The primary victims in the two cases came to know the suspects through on-line social media; and had their information posted on-line ads for the purposes of commercial sex acts.
When: All suspects were arrested on Monday, April 6, 2015.
Detectives began their investigation of Case #1 on February 13, 2015.
Detectives began their investigation of Case #2 on March 10, 2015.
Where: Four of the five suspects were arrested in Pinellas County. Zakel was arrested in Pasco County.
The crimes occurred in Pinellas County.
Why/How: Case #1 The investigation began in February of 2015 after the victim’s mother corroborated an initial report that her daughter had multiple pornographic photographs and videos of herself on her cell phone; and may be recruiting other underage girls for prostitution.
Detectives assigned to the Special Victims Unit began to investigate.
Detectives initially confirmed victim 1, a 16 year-old female, had contact via social media, texting and phone calls with a subject she only knew as “Pimp Master Flex.”
The victim told deputies that Pimp Master Flex, who was ultimately identified as 22-year-old Julian Montoya, posted photos of her on Craig’s List on several occasions for the purpose of having her engage in sexual activity.
Through their investigation detectives were able to confirm that the Craig’s List posts originated from Montoya’s residence.
Detectives also learned that on at least one occasion, 29-year-old Johnathan Zakel responded to the posts, met with the victim and paid her to perform a sexual act.
According to investigators, it was further revealed that Montoya directed victim 1 to recruit and entice other underage girls for the same purpose. The investigation revealed that the victim approached at least three other girls (victims 2, 3 and 4).
Additionally, detectives say 25-year-old Humberto Frutos, (whom victim 1 met on social media) met with victim1 on at least 3 to 4 occasions for the purposes of engaging her in a sexual activity.
On April 6, 2015 detectives served a search warrant at the home of Julian Montoya located at 3290 Causeway Drive in Palm Harbor. Deputies located and seized several items to include cell phones, x-boxes, and external hard drives. Deputies also located marijuana and other drug paraphernalia.
Montoya was subsequently arrested for Human Trafficking, Transmission of Material Harmful to Minors, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Zakel. He was arrested for Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor on April 6, 2015 in Pasco County with the assistance of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Warrants Unit; and transported to the Pasco County Jail.
Frutos was also arrested on April 6, 2015. He was arrested at his residence located 4025 73rd Street North, St. Petersburg for Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor. He was transported and booked into the Pinellas County Jail without further incident.
The investigation continues.
Case #2 In February of 2015 deputies responded to a call referencing allegations of a 16-year-old girl who was posting ads on backpage.com.
Through their investigation detectives learned that the victim met the suspects, later identified as 22-year-old Dominique Drake and 23-year-old Syrenite McGee, on meetme.com and began texting with them via the Kik ap.
Detectives say on March 6, 2015, Drake and McGee picked the victim up and drove her to a hotel in St. Petersburg.
According to investigators, she remained with Drake and McGee for several days and while she was with them, the suspects placed several ads for her on backpage.com.
Detectives say at least 4 individuals responded to the ads and came to the hotel and engaged the victim in sexual activity. The victim was then forced to turn over the proceeds from the prostitution to Drake.
Detectives say McGee also prompted the victim to engage in sex acts with another individual who responded to an ad she had placed for herself.
On March 8, 2015 the victim approached Drake and asked for some of the money back. Detectives say Drake became angered, grabbed her by the throat and told her never to “disrespect him like that” again.
Detectives say the victim became frightened and left the hotel.
On April 6, 2015, the Sheriff’s Violent Offender Warrant Unit set up surveillance on the suspects and arrested Drake and McGee at a parking lot located on 22nd Avenue and 31st Street South in St. Petersburg.
Both were arrested for Human Trafficking and were transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident.
The press conference can be viewed on our YouTube page here: http://youtu.be/x3tqXoXNr2E
Julian Montoya
Johnathan Zakel
Humberto Frutos
Dominique Drake
Syrenite McGee
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