Suffolk County Police arrested a man for promoting prostitution.
Following an investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department’s Human Trafficking Investigations Unit, in conjunction with the New York City Police Department and Suffolk County Police Fifth Precinct Patrol, Crime Section and Anti-Crime Unit, Francisco Hernandez-Cruz was arrested near Veterans Memorial Highway in Bohemia on January 21 at approximately 10:15 p.m. for allegedly promoting prostitution.
The investigation, which began with a tip from the NYPD earlier this month, revealed Hernandez-Cruz allegedly recruited women for the purposes of conducting commercial sex work. Detectives believe Hernandez Cruz allegedly assisted the women in traveling to and from area hotels and residences in Brentwood and other locations in Suffolk County to see clients. Hernandez-Cruz allegedly recruited at least five women, and detectives believe there are more victims and other suspects working with him.
Hernandez-Cruz, 47, of Corona, Queens, was charged with Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree and Promoting Prostitution in the Fourth Degree. Detectives seized his vehicle, three cellphones, cash and sexual paraphernalia.
He was held overnight and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on January 22.
Detectives ask anyone who has information on Hernandez-Cruz or other suspects to call the Human Trafficking Investigations Unit at 631-854-7512.