Texas Man Arrested in Violent Sex Trafficking Case in Miami Beach: Police
Arrest Made After Alleged Attack on Girlfriend
Michael William Benjamin, 34, was arrested in Miami Beach after police said he allegedly forced his girlfriend to have sex for money then attacked her when she was unable to recruit more prostitutes.
Charges Filed
Benjamin was arrested Sunday on charges including armed kidnapping, human trafficking, deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, aggravated battery, and domestic battery by strangulation, Miami-Dade jail records showed.
Incident Unfolds
According to an arrest report, the incident unfolded early Sunday when officers responded to the Sherry Frontenac Hotel on Collins Avenue for a report of a man unconscious and bleeding on the floor.
Police Find Victim with Injuries
Officers found Benjamin unconscious in a hallway with head trauma and blood on his neck and torso, and also found a woman with blood on her hands, a bloody nose, bruises to her face, arms and legs, and swelling around her neck.
Victim’s Account
The victim said she’s been in a three-year relationship with Benjamin and said they were visiting from Texas, and had been in South Florida for 22 days and had stayed at multiple local hotels. She said Benjamin brought her from Texas to sell her for sex, and said she has alcohol abuse issues and he coerced her through the use of alcohol, making it readily accessible.
Victim’s Experience
The victim said she has been seeing male clients for over a year in different cities and Benjamin sets up the appointments using an app. She said she was allowed to keep very little cash, and Benjamin kept her phone, iPad, and identification so she couldn’t communicate with anyone. The victim said Benjamin had forced her to have sex with two clients that day, had held her down and raped her that morning, and started beating her when she couldn’t recruit other girls for prostitution.
Attack and Arrest
The victim said Benjamin had punched her and started choking her, and said he was going to kill her. During the attack, the victim said she was able to kick Benjamin off her, which caused him to fall backwards off the bed and hit his head on the sharp corner of a dresser. He suffered a laceration to the back of his head and lost consciousness. Officers searched their hotel room and found it in a state of disorder, with condoms, pieces of lingerie, and sexual paraphernalia all over.
Aftermath
Both Benjamin and the victim were hospitalized and he was later booked into jail. Benjamin, of Addison, Texas, appeared before a judge Monday who ordered him held without bond and told him to stay away from the victim.
Conclusion
This violent sex trafficking case highlights the devastating consequences of human exploitation and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat it. The victim’s bravery in coming forward and sharing her story is a testament to the resilience of those affected by these crimes.
FAQs
Q: What charges was Michael William Benjamin arrested on?
A: Benjamin was arrested on charges including armed kidnapping, human trafficking, deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, aggravated battery, and domestic battery by strangulation.
Q: What happened during the incident?
A: According to the arrest report, Benjamin allegedly forced his girlfriend to have sex for money, then attacked her when she was unable to recruit more prostitutes.
Q: What was the victim’s account of the incident?
A: The victim said Benjamin brought her from Texas to sell her for sex, and that he coerced her through the use of alcohol. She also said he had forced her to have sex with two clients that day, had held her down and raped her that morning, and started beating her when she couldn’t recruit other girls for prostitution.
Q: What happened to Benjamin after the incident?
A: Benjamin was hospitalized and later booked into jail. He appeared before a judge who ordered him held without bond and told him to stay away from the victim.
