Suffolk County Police arrested a Bronx man for his alleged role in an international human trafficking ring that investigators say brought victims into Suffolk County over a three-year period.
The arrest followed a long-running investigation that began in 2022, when officers from the Second Precinct Investigative Unit conducted surveillance at the Roadway Inn, located at 270 West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station. During that surveillance, officers observed women they believed were being trafficked and engaged in prostitution.
The case was later taken over by the Suffolk County Police Human Trafficking Investigations Unit, with assistance from the Second Precinct Investigative Unit, the SCPD Warrant Enforcement Section, the New York City Police Department, the FBI and investigators from the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
Police said Erick Acevedo was arrested at approximately 10:35 a.m. on Cedar Avenue in the Bronx. Investigators allege that Acevedo transported women to hotels and collected money from sex workers as part of the trafficking operation.
Authorities said the ring has ties to the Dominican Republic, Brazil, New York and Florida, and may extend to other states. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue to identify additional suspects and potential victims.
Acevedo, 36, of 1750 Sedgwick Ave. in the Bronx, was charged with promoting prostitution in the third degree, a D 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.
Police are urging anyone who may have been a victim of this trafficking operation, or who has information about the case, to contact the Suffolk County Police Human Trafficking Investigations Unit at 631-854-7512 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. Detectives emphasized victim safety and support services remain a priority throughout the ongoing investigation effort.