A 14-year-old Florida girl was murdered while being forced to engage in prostitution along with her 15-year-old sister and two young men have been arrested in connection with the crimes.
Orlando police say the slain girl and her sister were given a dangerous mix of Xanax, a prescription anxiety medication, and over-the-counter cold medicine so they wouldn’t remember their sexual encounters.
Police said Wednesday that Avorice Jeno Holman Jr., 19, and Jose Ignacio Santiago Sotomayor, 22, are now in custody and being charged in the case.
Still at large and WANTED for 1st Degree murder and human trafficking of 14, 15yo sisters, 1 who died: Arthur Coleman & Karla Quiros Alsina pic.twitter.com/GISCSOqu67
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) October 12, 2016
Both are face nine counts, including first degree murder, human trafficking of a child, procurement of a child for prostitution with death and possession of child pornography.
Along with two other suspects, investigators say Holman and Sotomayor listed the girls on the website Backpage.com. “There was a clear understanding of how much each person would make during these sex acts,” according to an arrest warrant.
The victims were “shown firearms and received threats of killing anyone who interfered with the sex trade” according to the warrant.
The girls had been listed on Backpage.com for eight days when the 14-year-old was taken to a hospital, where her overdose death was later deemed suspicious.
A human trafficking case was opened, leading to four indictments.
In addition to Sotomayor and Holman, suspects Arthur Coleman and Karla Quiros Alsina remain at large with warrants issued for their arrests on first degree murder charges.
Regardless of who allegedly administered the drugs to the deceased, police were clear that all four suspects face murder charges.
“Everyone involved, regardless of their level of participation, will be charged and is responsible for her death,” said Orlando police Chief John Mina.
