SAPD said the victim, who is a teenager, was being advertised in online posts, spurring the investigation and search for her.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Police Department has arrested a man who they say served as a “pimp” for a reported Texas runaway while on probation.
On Feb. 5, detectives with FBI’s San Antonio Human Trafficking Task Force received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the victim in this case, who SAPD Sgt. Washington Moscoso said was a teenager.
NCMEC identified the “possible sexual exploitation of the victim,” Moscoso said, adding she was a runaway out of the Fort Worth area. NCMEC also notified the FBI of “active online posts on an online escort website that had images of the victim, advertising her services here in the San Antonio area.”
Members of the Human Exploitation Unit found that ad and were able to arrange a meeting with the victim through the suspect, 44-year-old Matthew Hayes. Upon making it to that meeting, detectives “were able to rescue her,” Moscoso said.
SAPD said the victim told investigators Hayes was effectively working as her “pimp.”
Detectives were eventually able to meet up with Hayes and collect his cell phone for evidence, but even though he had an active misdemeanor warrant, SAPD said they didn’t have enough information to arrest him right away. After the girl was interviewed by the FBI on Feb. 20 and provided more information, a warrant was secured.
The victim reportedly told investigators Hayes was “hesitant to meet up in San Antonio due to his probation status.” He now faces a charge of trafficking a child-prostitution.
Moscoso said there “absolutely” could be more victims and urged anyone who may have been victimized by Hayes to come forward.
He also emphasized to parents the importance of making sure they know who their children are talking to.
“This is something that’s a tragedy,” Moscoso said. “Be involved in your children’s life. This girl got caught tup on that life, she ran away, now hopefully she’s on the right track.”