AUBURN — Auburn Police detectives recently arrested a man in connection with a sex trafficking investigation after responding to an online prostitution advertisement.
Detectives Tyler Bresse and Matthew Alexandrovich conducted surveillance at a local hotel where they had arranged a meeting through the ad.
At approximately 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 12th, the detectives intercepted a female victim who arrived at the hotel in a vehicle driven by Francisco Barros, 32, of Amherst. Upon speaking with the victim, detectives gathered evidence indicating she was being trafficked by Barros. "Due to the sensitivity of the investigation and the disturbing facts discovered, details of the evidence are being withheld from this post," Auburn police wrote in a social media post.
Barros was arrested at the hotel and charged with trafficking a person for sexual servitude. He was held on $500,000 bail, which was later reduced to $25,000.
Barros, currently on probation for armed assault to murder and firearm offenses, had his probation revoked and remains in custody.
The victim was provided with resources for her safety and support.
Auburn Police encourage anyone affected by sex trafficking to seek help through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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