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.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Lionel Messi scored twice in a four-goal second half, defender Telasco Segovia added a goal and two assists and defending champion Inter Miami CF rallied to beat Orlando City SC 4-2 on Sunday night, winning for the first time at Inter&Co Stadium.
Messi took a pass from Segovia and scored in the 57th minute to tie it 2-2, and Segovia scored unassisted in the 85th for the lead. Messi put the finishing touch on the victory when he scored off a free kick in the 90th.
“The victory belongs exclusively to the players,” Miami coach Javier Mascherano said after the game. “In the second half, they were a championship team. There were no tactics, nothing like that. There was heart, courage, possession, resilience, commitment. I think the team came out because they were champions last year.
“In the end, the players showed it. This victory is theirs.”
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Messi’s first two goals of the season give him 52 in his first 55 regular-season MLS matches — 51 of them in his past 49 appearances. It also brought the reigning MLS MVP to 898 career goals scored, including 672 for Barcelona and 115 for Argentina.
“He’s the best player to ever play this sport. He’s a leader, and as a leader, he inspires others, but he also often needs to be inspired himself,” Mascherano said of Messi. “When he was driving forward, he had more attacking options, and with so many opportunities, he clearly has the ability to create chances like no one else, and that’s what allowed us to turn the game around.”
Marco Pašalić took a pass from Iván Angulo and scored in the 18th minute to give Orlando City a 1-0 lead. Pašalić has scored in four straight matches against Inter Miami.
Inter Miami players celebrate after scoring a goal against Orlando City in MLS.
Defender Griffin Dorsey set up Martín Ojeda for a goal six minutes later for a 2-0 advantage that stood through halftime.
Inter Miami cut it to 2-1 four minutes into the second half on Mateo Silvetti’s first career goal. Defenders Segovia and Facundo Mura had assists as the 20-year-old forward found the net in his fifth career appearance.
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Segovia had eight goals and six assists as a rookie last season, while Mura collected his first assist in his first season.
Dayne St. Clair, the reigning goalkeeper of the year, turned away three shots — all in the second half of his second start with Inter Miami, but let in a soft goal for Orlando’s first.
Maxime Crépeau had four saves in his second start for Orlando City.
Teenager Colin Guske, 19, will miss Orlando City’s next match after the rookie picked up two yellow cards in his first start — the second one led to his exit in the 88th minute.
Inter Miami, which had never won in its previous nine trips to Orlando, was coming off a 3-0 road loss to LAFC.
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Orlando City swept Inter Miami during the regular season last year and leads the all-time series 8-7-4.
Inter Miami plays D.C. United on Saturday at Audi Field. Orlando City is also on the road with a match against New York City FC.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this recap.
Rain floods Miami Beach streets, cut short Miami Heat Family Festival
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Much-needed rain fell across South Florida on Sunday, but the downpour quickly led to flooding and traffic headaches.
“The drainage systems aren’t the best but in ten minutes it will be gone,” one person said.
The rain lasted longer than 10 minutes, flooding several spots along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.
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In one neighborhood, at least a foot of water blocked the entrance. Drivers who attempted to pass through sent waves crashing onto nearby sidewalks.
The heavy rain also snarled traffic on parts of Interstate 95 and on the bridges to and from Miami Beach, slowing drivers trying to get around the area.
“It’s Miami for you. What do they call it, a sun shower?” one driver said.
The weather disrupted Sunday plans for many. The 26th annual Miami Heat Family Festival was cut short after strong winds swept through Dan Paul Plaza, knocking over several tents.
There is no word yet on how or when the Miami Heat plan to make up the family festival.
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Brett Knese
Brett Knese joined the Local 10 News team as a general assignment reporter in March 2025.
Jack and Jill of America’s Miami chapter closed out Black History Month with an inaugural “Roots Across Waters” trip to Nassau, where families explored ancestral sites, honored the Bahamian labor that helped build early Miami, and donated Afro‑Caribbean children’s books to local students.
