‘MS-13 gang member’ accused of sex trafficking migrant teen in NYC while on the run after ‘fondling nine-year-old girl’
- Alfredo Morocho is accused of sex trafficking a 17-year-old migrant girl in Queens
- The 37-year-old was arrested on March 6 when he tried to connect the girl with an undercover police officer at a hotel
- Morocho faces nine charges and could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted
An accused MS-13 gang member was arrested earlier this month for allegedly luring a 17-year-old migrant girl from a Queens shelter and forcing her to perform sex work.
Alfredo Morocho, 37, was also wanted by authorities for skipping bail in connection with a 2018 child abuse case, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Morocho, who was arrested on March 6, is being held at Rikers Island.
A Queens DA spokesperson told DailyMail.com that Morocho will appear in court on May 30.
He faces two counts of sex trafficking of a minor and five counts of promoting prostitution. He was also charged with two counts of patronizing a person for prostitution.
Alfredo Morocho, 37, an accused MS-13 gang member, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly luring a 17-year-old migrant girl from a Queens shelter and forcing her to perform sex work. He was arrested on March 6 and is being held on Rikers Island
Morocho allegedly forced her into prostitution and transported her to and from an apartment (photo) near Corona
Morocho faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
“No child should ever be exploited,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
“I have dedicated significant resources to supporting those affected by sex trafficking and holding perpetrators accountable.”
Morocho first met the migrant teen at a deli in Jamaica’s Queens borough and asked her if she was interested in working, the Queen’s DA’s office said.
Morocho allegedly forced her into prostitution and transported her to and from an apartment near Corona, where she performed sex work for other men.
Katz’s office said he paid the teen only half of the money she raised and that he scammed her into providing semi-naked photos of herself, which were used to promote her to clients.
Morocho was arrested when he took the young girl to a hotel (pictured) in Vlissingen and negotiated her prices with an undercover police officer, who immediately arrested him.
Morocho was arrested when he took the young girl to a hotel in Vlissingen and negotiated her prices with an undercover police officer, who immediately arrested him.
Morocho had been on the run since 2019 after he was arrested for allegedly molesting a nine-year-old girl outside a cell phone store in Queens in September 2018.
He approached the girl as she looked at phones behind the shop window and allegedly lifted her skirt and touched her buttock.
The girl confronted Morocho, who reportedly told her, “Don’t move, I don’t want to do this anymore.”
Morocho was arrested and told police he was allegedly “trying to record her ass.”