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17-year-old human trafficking victim rescued by Miami-Dade Police; man arrested

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17-year-old human trafficking victim rescued by Miami-Dade Police; man arrested


MIAMI — A 17-year-old girl who was presumed missing for five years was found and rescued from an alleged human trafficker in Miami-Dade County on Saturday morning.

Miami-Dade Police stated in a press release that the victim was rescued by detectives from its Human Trafficking Squad and the suspect — who was identified as 27-year-old Christian Manuel Carvajal — was arrested and charged with human trafficking.

According to the arrest affidavit, a missing persons investigation revealed an illicit online ad that showed photos of the victim, who had been on “runaway status” since 2019. So on Saturday, undercover detectives arranged to meet up for a $500 date with the victim in an attempt to rescue her and bring her to safety.

Upon arrival at the meetup location, a young girl matching the description of the missing juvenile appeared to step out of a white Mercedes-Benz that was being driven by Carvajal. He was then apprehended without incident and transported to MDPD headquarters while the victim was rescued and also transported to HQ.

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At police headquarters, detectives spoke with the victim, who said that she met Carvajal on Instagram the week before and had agreed with him to transport her to the meetup for $250. She also said that he had arranged two other dates for her — one of which she would make $1,000 for and pay Carvajal $500 for setting it up and transportation. According to the affidavit, the victim consented to search her phone and show detectives her messages with Carvajal.

After read his rights, Carvajal told police that he met the victim on Instagram about a few days beforehand and continued messaging her until Saturday, at which she requested he pick her up and give her a ride. He then said that he agreed to give her a ride for $200, wait for her date to end and then drive her from Miami down to Homestead

According to the affidavit, even though Carvajal assumed that she was underaged, he did not make any attempts to confirm her age except by asking her just once — to which she replied that she was 18.

Carvajal then proceeded to meet the victim in Little Havana and then drive her to the meetup location with the undercover detectives. According to the affidavit, he also failed to attempt any contact with the victim’s parents to obtain permission to have her be in his custody, and later investigation confirmed that he was not listed as a legal guardian.

Additionally, Carvajal also offered the victim a “marijuana smoking device” while they waited to meet with the undercover detectives, the affidavit noted.

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Carvajal also verified his Instagram with police, which matched the profile that the victim was chatting with online. He also had recalled knowing the victim’s Instagram profile and told detectives about that as well.

He was then arrested and formally charged before being transported to TGK.



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Miami, FL

‘Confident’ Bencic takes out Anisimova, eyes Gauff next in Miami

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‘Confident’ Bencic takes out Anisimova, eyes Gauff next in Miami


A “super clean and confident” performance from Belinda Bencic earned her an upset of one Top 10-ranked American at the Miami Open on Monday night — and she’s hoping that form carries over into another in less than 24 hours.

Miami: Scores | Draws | Order of play

The No. 12 seed led nearly wire-to-wire in a 6-2, 6-2 thumping of No. 6 seed Amanda Anisimova to put her through to a 12th career WTA 1000 quarterfinal, and second in Miami after she reached the 2022 semifinals. She’ll face another Florida resident, No. 4 seed Coco Gauff, on Tuesday night in the hopes of matching her tournament best from four years ago.

Bencic had good reason to praise her play against Anisimova, in a match that was projected to be a late-afternoon affair but ended up taking the court at 9 p.m. after three of the four matches preceding it on Grandstand stretched to three sets. She landed 87% of her first serves, winning 72% of those points, and hit 19 winners in 14 games to break a 2-2 head-to-head tie against the two-time Grand Slam singles finalist.

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She saved the only break point she faced, too, which came when she was already ahead 6-2, 4-1. 

Bencic next looks to complete a personal Sunshine Double of sorts against Gauff as she eyes back-to-back Top 10 victories on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz.

Though the American has won four of their previous six meetings, Bencic’s most-recent win came in the Round of 16 at the BNP Paribas Open last year.

More to come…

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Miami-Dade trainer helps young athletes chase their next big opportunity

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Miami-Dade trainer helps young athletes chase their next big opportunity


KENDALL, Fla. — With March Madness underway and Division I athletes back in the spotlight, the level of training it takes to compete at the top of college sports is getting plenty of attention.

In Kendall, one coach is working every day to help young athletes reach that level.

Kevin Lopez is the fitness director at D1 Training Kendall, where the focus is helping athletes get stronger, faster and more confident.

For Lopez, the work is personal. His own athletic career started with a similar opportunity growing up in Miami.

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“I got trained by a guy down here in Miami who focused on strength and conditioning, specifically for athletes — for kids that are trying develop, improve and go to college,” Lopez said. “It allowed me to be one of the top receivers in that year for our district, which gave me opportunities to go play at Iowa.”

That experience changed his path and ultimately brought him back home.

Now Lopez says his mission is to give other athletes the same type of chance.

“I want to try and help out as many people as I can, to give them that same opportunity, or at least get them as close as they can to reach that if that’s a goal that they have for themselves,” he said.

Inside the gym at D1 Kendall, the training goes well beyond basic workouts.

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“We focus on lateral movements, we focus on their agility, their quickness, we focus on building that upper body strength as well,” he said.

Just as important, he says, is helping athletes stay healthy and confident.

“A lot of kids are coming in to build their confidence,” Lopez said. “It’s not just to improve their speed, their agility, their quickness to transition over to the field or to the court.”

The gym has also become a place where athletes feel comfortable pushing themselves.

“We’re just trying to build a community around here,” Lopez said. “We’re trying to expand and touch as many people, as many athletes, as many adults as we can.”

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“This is a home for them,” he added. “And they have somewhere they’re going to come, feel at ease, not feel intimidated.”

To learn more about D1 Kendall, visit their website.

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Sebastian Korda stuns world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz at 2026 Miami Open | Tennis.com

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Sebastian Korda stuns world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz at 2026 Miami Open | Tennis.com


Korda threatened to run away with the second set when he won three games in a row and earned a chance for a double-break lead. Alcaraz held on until it came time for Korda to serve for the match.

Keeping the pressure on, Alcaraz secured a love-break and reeled off five straight games to force a final set.

Undaunted, Korda snapped the streak to get back on the board and weathered some stellar play from Alcaraz to score the first break of the decider.

Down 3-5 for a third straight set, Alcaraz made another brave last stand to force Korda to serve for the match. Korda made no mistake this time, putting away a backhand to set up two match points. Alcaraz saved the first but Korda claimed the second with one last well-struck serve.

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Standing between Korda and a return trip to the quarterfinals will be either No. 14 seed Karen Khachanov or Spanish qualifier Martín Landaluce.



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