Spanish Fugitive Ran Prostitution Ring Out Of Lauderdale Hotel
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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Sentencing is set for July for a Spanish fugitive who ran a prostitution ring out of an extended stay hotel in Ft. Lauderdale.
On Wednesday, Miguel Hernandez pleaded guilty to eight federal charges related to illegally bringing in sex workers from Spain along with Central and South American countries and hiring them out as prostitutes.
Hernandez, 50, began operating the highly profitable prostitution enterprise known as "International Playmates" out of the hotel in 2010.
Hernandez and others, including his brother and co-defendant, Eduardo Hernandez, not only recruited many of the women, they also paid for their plane tickets, completed their immigration paperwork and coached them on what to say to customs officials.
According to court documents, Hernandez openly advertised his business on the Internet and deposited the cash proceeds into multiple bank accounts.
According to documents, Hernandez used physical force on at least two occasions against two different women, both Spanish nationals, and prostituted at least three minors.
Hernandez, a Spanish national, was convicted on immigration fraud charges in Spain and sentenced to six years in prison. He fled to the U.S. before serving his sentence.
Hernandez faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison and a fine of up to $2 million.
