The arrested individuals are Guatemalan brothers who may have had similar past run-ins with authorities for operating brothels
A desperate 911 call led to the rescue of two women who were victims of human trafficking in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, and the arrest of two Guatemalan brothers, undocumented migrants, Yudvin and Glin Zúñiga Latin, accused of operating a brothel where the victims were sexually exploited under threats of violence.
The operation was led by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), according to authorities during a press conference.
The case began on Sunday, February 9, around 7:45 a.m., when a young woman managed to contact 911 to report that she was being held against her will.
The victim did not know her exact location but mentioned that she had been confined in a house for several days by two men, PBSO reported.
Due to the limited information and the general location provided by the phone, officers launched an urgent investigation in a densely populated area.
The search led them to an apartment located in the 1400 block of Lake Avenue, near Lake Worth Community High School, where they observed two men behaving suspiciously.
The discovery: isolated and terrified women
As they approached the individuals, officers noticed their nervousness and decided to investigate further.
Through a window, they could see a woman inside the apartment, prompting them to enter immediately due to the severity of the situation. Inside the residence, they found two women in separate rooms, visibly terrified and unable to communicate with each other, authorities reported.
According to Sergeant Carlos Lisboa of PBSO’s Special Investigations Division, the victims were deceived with false job promises and transported to Palm Beach, where they were forced into prostitution.
The women also reported the presence of firearms in the apartment, which were used by the suspects to keep them subdued.
This case is not an isolated incident. Authorities acknowledge it is a recurring problem in Palm Beach County, where clandestine brothels operate in residential neighborhoods. “This is just one of many cases,” said Sergeant Lisboa, who explained that broader investigations are underway to dismantle organized trafficking networks.
The suspects: criminal records and charges
The detainees were identified as Yudvin Zúñiga Latin and his brother Glin Zúñiga Latin, both Guatemalan nationals and undocumented in the United States.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, both have ICE detainers.
Glin Zúñiga Latin had previously been arrested in 2023 along with his mother for operating a brothel just a few blocks from the recent raid. On that occasion, he was released, but this time he faces more serious charges, including:
- Two counts of human trafficking
- Sexual battery by an adult
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Resisting an officer without violence
- Deriving support from prostitution
- Using a property for prostitution activities
Yudvin Zúñiga Latin faces similar charges, though without the accusations of sexual battery or aggravated assault. Both are being held without bail, according to official reports.
Authorities’ response: focus on dangerous criminals
During the press conference, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw defended PBSO’s work and clarified that the focus is on apprehending criminals, not conducting mass raids against immigrants. “This is not a mass operation; we are after dangerous individuals,” Bradshaw stated.
The sheriff also announced that the county is evaluating the possibility of seizing properties used for illegal human trafficking activities. “If the people living in these houses pose a danger to the community, we will consider taking their homes,” Bradshaw emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Zúñiga Latin brothers remain in custody as the investigation progresses, facing charges that could result in lengthy sentences if convicted. Additionally, due to their undocumented immigration status, they could be deported following the judicial process. Authorities urge the community to collaborate by reporting any suspicious activity related to human trafficking directly to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. “Every call can save a life,” Bradshaw concluded.
