KATHERINE FERNANDEZ RUNDLE STATE ATTORNEY ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT 8 IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2 Charged in Separate Human Trafficking Cases Arrests focused on procuring for prostitution activities Miami (August 13, 2021) - Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, City of Miami Police Chief Art Acevedo and City of Hialeah Police Chief Sergio Velazquez announce the arrest of two individuals for their independent involvement in the alleged procuring and facilitating of prostitution services in the City of Miami and in the City of Hialeah. In both cases, information and police assistance supplied to the Miami- Dade State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force proved pivotal in the arrests of 32-year-old Aleksandra S. Soboleva A/K/A Karina and 31-year-old Brian Rodriguez. “Sadly, there are still individuals in our community who feel that forcing young women into prostitution is an acceptable way to make a living,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “Such activity demeans the women involved, reducing their humanity to the level of walking cash machines. Rescuing these victims is the goal of the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force.” In the City of Miami case, Aleksandra S. Soboleva has been charged with: • 1 count of Deriving Support from the Proceeds of Prostitution • 1 count of Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device • 1 count of Renting Space to be Used for Prostitution • 1 count of Soliciting, Inducing or Procuring Another to Commit Prostitution • 1 count of Direct Another to a Place of Prostitution Soboleva’s charges arise from a City of Miami police operation at a massage parlor located at 4315 NW 7th Street, Suite #37B in Miami. An undercover police officer posing as a massage parlor customer was greeted by 4 women between the ages of 24 and 32 as he entered the location. Upon allegedly being asked “which girl do you like?”, the pricing for a body massage with a sexual ending was allegedly explained. Allegedly it was further explained that additional female involvement would increase the cost. After an arrest was made, the women provided consistent information that they were allegedly working for a female known to them as “Karina” (later identified as Aleksandra S. Soboleva). They also indicated that Karina was allegedly the sole owner and person who ran the business from a website. They also stated that Karina would allegedly come to collect the money they deposited in a safe that was kept for that specific purpose on the premises. The women indicated that Ms. Soboleva communicated by texting them via cell phone about their upcoming customer dates. Authorized review of cell phone and text information allegedly verified the provided information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Griffith, Public Information Officer (305) 547-0535 [email protected] HUMAN TRAFFICKING ARRESTS – PAGE 2 “Combatting the scourge of human trafficking is a priority for Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, our City of Miami Commissioners, and the men and women of the Miami Police Department. We are proud of our work and thankful for our partnership with our Human Trafficking Task Force partners and the work of State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and her staff,” said City of Miami Police Chief Art Acevedo. In the City of Hialeah case, Brian Rodriguez has been charged with: • 1 count of Human Trafficking • 1 count of Deriving Support from the Proceeds of Prostitution • 1 count of Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device • 1 count of Attempted Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon • 1 count of Direct Another to a Place of Prostitution • 1 count of Maintaining a House of Prostitution • 1 count of Battery Rodriguez’ charges arise from an August 11th notification by Hialeah Police Department to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force of a possible human trafficking situation. A woman had a street-side verbal altercation with her boyfriend, Brian Rodriguez, that resulted in a police presence. She then told the police that she was allegedly being forced by the boyfriend to prostitute herself. The woman further alleged that Rodriguez maintained total control of her by feeding her drugs and utilizing physical threats to have her perform paid sex acts with clients. The victim voluntarily provided her cell phone which had detailed messages of her being prostituted. The victim told Human Trafficking Task Force investigators that approximately 2 days earlier, Rodriguez became upset with her after she said she did not want to prostitute herself because she was tired. Allegedly, Rodriguez became angry and violent, punching and kicking her in the legs and arms. During the alleged violence, Rodriguez told her that he would not hit her in the face because she had to work for him. The woman told Task Force investigators that Rodriguez had also stabbed her with a fork on her left hand, causing a scar. Additional injuries were observed and were consistent with her statement. ##### FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Griffith, Public Information Officer (305) 547-0535 [email protected] .