Miami, FL

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

Published

2 years ago

January 28, 2024

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.

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.

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

Why YouTube star Jack Doherty was arrested in Miami Beach

Published

9 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Press Room

Why YouTube star Jack Doherty was arrested in Miami Beach

The influencer, known for stunt videos, was arrested Nov. 15 after police say he disrupted traffic.

A popular YouTuber known for prank and stunt videos was arrested in Miami after he was found disrupting traffic to film content for his social media channel, police said.

Jack Doherty, 22, was taken into custody around 3:12 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, after he intentionally stepped into traffic and blocked the roadway, according to a news release from the Miami Beach Police Department.

“Despite multiple lawful commands to clear the roadway, Doherty refused to comply, responding, ‘Once I’m done with this bet!’” police said in the post.

Body camera footage obtained by USA TODAY showed officers handcuffing Doherty on a palm-tree-lined street while other young people filmed.

The officers went through Doherty’s pockets and pulled out what they believed was an amphetamine and cannabis.

Jack Doherty facing several charges

Doherty, who has more than 15 million YouTube followers and more than 10 million TikTok followers, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana, and resisting an officer without violence.

According to local reports, Doherty was released on bond the night of his arrest. Speaking to NBC 6, the content creator said, “That was the worst 24 hours ever,” adding that the incident happened because he took too long to cross the street.

“There was no traffic. It was three in the morning,” he told the outlet. “I think they just wanted to lock me up, but fair enough, learned my lesson.”

Doherty posted videos online about his arrest

Doherty posted a video on social media Nov. 16, showing he was released from jail.

In the video, Doherty poses with people he said he met in jail.

He has also made several follow-up videos poking fun at his arrest, including one where he is standing behind a black railing using the song “Locked Up” by Akon.

An arraignment hearing, or the initial court appearance where Doherty will enter a plea, is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2026.

“MBPD remains committed to maintaining public safety and order throughout the city,” police said in the news release.

“Our officers will continue to take proactive enforcement action against behavior that endangers motorists, residents, or visitors—and will hold all individuals accountable under the law, regardless of their celebrity status.”

USA TODAY reached out to representatives for Doherty on Nov. 16, but did not receive an immediate response.

Karissa Waddick, a reporter on USA TODAY’s Nation Desk, can be reached at kwaddick@usatoday.com.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY’s trending team. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

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Miami, FL

Josh Flagg Lists $10 Million Miami Mansion Across from The Beckhams

Published

1 day ago

November 16, 2025

Press Room

Josh Flagg Lists Million Miami Mansion Across from The Beckhams

Josh Flagg
Selling $10 Million Miami Home in Billionaires’ Row

Published November 16, 2025 4:48 PM PST

Josh Flagg is cashing in on Miami heat … listing his $10 million estate directly across from The Beckham’s $72.3 million compound … TMZ has learned.

The “Million Dollar Listing” star listed the place ten days ago … a Mediterranean-style estate he gutted and rebuilt with BuiltIN Studio’s Gary Eisner. The 4,000 square foot home on a 10,000 square foot lot features 4 beds, 5 baths, vaulted ceilings, custom steel doors, serious security, and a detached pool house with a sauna and cold plunge.

Josh Flagg

Josh tells TMZ … the home has been rebuilt from the ground up … essentially a brand new house. He says construction is in the final stretch and the buyer will be able to move in within about sixty days.

The property is owned by Flagg Family Capital, the family’s private real estate investment arm, in partnership with Carolwood LP. Headed by Adam Rubin and Andrew Shanfeld.

Josh Flagg selling miami home zillow 4

He says the timing was intentional, saying … “The minute New York elected Mandahmi, I called my broker Jordan Karp. I didn’t even wait for the acceptance speech.” Karp listed the property and his phone’s been blowing up ever since.

Josh Flagg selling miami home zillow 1

North Bay Road, often called the Fifth Avenue of Miami Beach, remains one of the most coveted streets in the country. Flagg’s estate has been completely rebuilt, a rarity in a neighborhood where many homes still date back to the 1930s.

North Bay Road, nicknamed “Billionaires’ Row.” counts David and Victoria Beckham, Michael Bay, Barry Diller and the Von Furstenberg family, and Steve Witkoff among its heavyweight residents with sales regularly topping $70 to $100 million.

Josh Flagg selling miami home zillow 2

Flagg says the Miami rush is predictable. One politician says they’ll “make the rich pay,” and planes at Teterboro start fueling up faster than the Bergdorf sale,” he jokes. “A week later, everyone from Manhattan claims they ‘escaped New York,’ like they tunneled out of Shawshank with a Birkin.”

Josh also bought a place in East Hampton and a commercial building in downtown Manhattan. “I love New York — it’s home half the month,” he says. “I’m just doing business. And I can’t say I’m leaving Miami … I’ve never even spent a night there.”

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Miami, FL

Passenger convicted of sexual abuse of child on cruise ship that left Miami

Published

3 days ago

November 14, 2025

Press Room

Passenger convicted of sexual abuse of child on cruise ship that left Miami

A Malaysian man has been convicted of sexually abusing a child while on board a cruise ship that sailed out of Miami, authorities said.

Lay Ong, 67, was convicted by a federal jury on Oct. 23 of abusive sexual contact of a minor, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida said in a news release Friday.

According to an arrest affidavit, Ong had been a passenger aboard the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas that departed PortMiami on March 29 and returned April 5.

While the ship was in international waters, Ong encountered two boys, ages 7 and 9, who were playing in a corridor outside their cabin, the affidavit said.

Ong started speaking with the children and began touching the 7-year-old’s head and chin before he reached down and squeezed the child’s genitalia, prosecutors said.

According to the affidavit, the kids reported the incident to the 7-year-old’s parents, saying Ong had asked them if they were boys or girls then said “let me check” before grabbing the child.

Security cameras on the ship captured the encounter, the affidavit said.

Ong faces a maximum of life in prison at sentencing. He’s also subject to deportation after his sentence.

“Abusing a child is an unforgivable act,” U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida, said in a statement. “This verdict makes clear that anyone who preys on a child—anywhere, and under any flag—will be held to account. We will continue working with the FBI to protect young victims and bring their abusers to justice.”

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