A Miami man is facing an array of charges after being accused of running a drugs-for-sex trafficking scheme targeting underage girls in foster care, according to prosecutors. Rodney Rene Poucely, 36, who is also known by his street name "Grinch," was arrested after allegations surfaced involving a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old girl. NBC Miami reported that Poucely is charged with human trafficking, kidnapping, attempted sexual battery and other offenses.
The prosecution's case details a disturbing course of events where Poucely allegedly gave marijuana to the 14-year-old in exchange for sex at a park and forced the 13-year-old to have sex with him at his Goulds residence. The 14-year-old girl, a ward of the state, told authorities that Poucely knew of her living situation. The 13-year-old and her friend, also in foster care, went to Poucely's house, where they were given wine, vodka, and marijuana. On her final day there, Poucely is accused of locking the 13-year-old in a room, where he raped her after giving her drugs and alcohol.
In a statement obtained by NBC Miami, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said, "Those who seek to traffic our children often target kids placed into foster care. These individuals know that the trauma foster care children have usually experienced make them easier to manipulate and control. Sadly, this case is a clear example of how such individuals operate. I’m proud of the work of my Human Trafficking unit’s investigators and attorneys have done in this case, working to end the criminal career of such an individual."
Following his arrest, Poucely was booked into jail and appeared before a judge. He was appointed a public defender and was ordered held without bond. A list of charges released by Miami-Dade County Mugshots Facebook page includes sexual battery on a helpless victim, promoting sexual performance by a child, kidnapping with lewd and lascivious behavior and custody interference, among others. Bonds for several charges remain to be set, underscoring the grave nature of these accusations.
