Suspect Arrested Following Human Trafficking Violations

He was picked up last week.

 

 

Frederick, Md (KM) A two-year human trafficking investigation by the Frederick Police has led to an arrest. Roberto Ruiz Hernandez, 47, was taken into custody on March 2nd, 2018 by the US Marshall’s Service Fugitive Apprehension Team. He’s charged with 2nd-degree rape, 3rd-degree sex offense, reckless endangerment and three counts of human trafficking.

Police says the case began in August, 2016, after officers responded to the Frederick Memorial Hospital for a drug complaint. They found a female with a condom inside of her with drug residue. She told officers she was the victim of several rapes and sexual assaults while being brought to the United States.

After the investigation was begun, the victim lost contact with law enforcement, but detectives and agents with The US Department of Homeland Security were able to re-establish contact with her, and build a rapport, police say.

After many months of work, investigators charged Ruiz-Hernandez in this human trafficking case. The charges were filed on August 8th, 2017.

In February, authorities say they received word that Ruiz-Hernandez was back in the Frederick area. He was located by US Marshalls on Consett Place in Frederick on March 2nd, and was taken into custody.

He’s currently being held at the Adult Detention Center on a no-bond status.

In a statement, Frederick Police say they would like to thank FMH for their quick reporting of this victim, along with the US Marshall’s Service for their assistance in apprehending Ruiz-Hernandez, and Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance and support throughout this investigation.

 

By Kevin McManus

 

 

Ruiz-Hernandez

 

Roberto Ruiz-Hernandez