Glendale police have arrested Emmanuel Garcia Guzman in connection with a sex trafficking operation involving Cuban immigrants. This issue extends beyond the Valley and has ties to Houston, Las Vegas, and Miami. Guzman, a 25-year-old man, was apprehended during an undercover sting operation on June 21.
According to court documents, an undercover detective arranged a sex-for-money transaction with one of the trafficked women. Guzman drove her to a hotel near Interstate 10 and Avondale Boulevard. While she entered the hotel, Guzman remained in the car, where police subsequently detained him.
The woman was informed that she was not under arrest and was offered resources, which she declined. She revealed that she was in the U.S. illegally and turned to prostitution to support her family back in Cuba. Moroni Mendez from the Glendale Police Department explained that financial necessity forced her into this work, as she had three children and a mother in Cuba who relied on her financial support.
Initially, Guzman claimed he was delivering food for DoorDash at the hotel, but later he admitted to driving the woman there. Glendale police identified apartments, hotels, and homes in the West Valley where Cuban women forced into prostitution were staying. They believe Guzman transported them from their residences to the meeting locations for sexual exploitation.
Guzman faces charges related to transportation for the purpose of prostitution, classified as a class 5 felony. The investigation into his involvement continues, with authorities working to understand the depth of his role within the organization.
The Glendale Police prioritize assisting victims. The Glendale Family Advocacy Center, located near the police station, provides support to human trafficking victims. If you or someone you know is affected by human trafficking, consider reaching out to the Arizona Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-877-4-AZ-TIPS (1-877-373-7888) for assistance.