FLORIDA — A violent human trafficker who reportedly branded a victim has been sentenced to federal prison, said Attorney General Ashley Moody.
According to Ms. Moody, her Office of Statewide Prosecution last week secured a 55-year prison sentence for Joselito Martinez, who was convicted of human trafficking in Orange County.
According to the law enforcement investigation, Mr. Martinez trafficked three women in the Orlando area, reportedly using violence and fear to keep the victims under control—including cutting one victim’s hair off as punishment and branding the woman with tattoos.
“This human trafficker victimized three women, using violence to force them into sex work. He even branded one victim with tattoos and forcibly cut her hair as punishment,” said Ms. Moody.
“Thanks to the help of our law enforcement partners and our statewide prosecutors, this vile man will remain behind bars for a long, long time.”
According to the investigation, Mr. Martinez trafficked three women, forcing the victims into sex work through violence. Mr. Martinez reportedly recruited one victim from a dating app and, after meeting the victim for the first time, convinced the woman to move in with promises of drugs and money.
After the victim moved in, Mr. Martinez is said to have forced the woman into sex work.
Through the victim, Mr. Martinez allegedly met two other women, then subsequently forced these victims into sex work as well.
The investigation reportedly revealed that Mr. Martinez kept control of the women’s phones and money. He forbade the victims from contacting anyone that he did not approve of and is alleged to have punished one victim by cutting the woman’s hair.
Mr. Martinez also branded that same victim, forcing the woman to get tattoos, saying, “I belong to myself and Jay,” as well as get a tattoo on the pelvis region that said the victim had a certain disease, according to the investigation.
Mr. Martinez was found guilty of two counts of human trafficking for commercial sexual activity, one count of deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, one count of unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and one count of tampering with a witness or victim. The judge sentenced Mr. Martinez to 55 years in prison.
