A Broward Sheriff’s Office undercover operation in Dania Beach that targeted adults seeking sex with teenagers ended this week with seven arrests, deputies said. The sting also rescued ten victims, who were connected to shelter, medical care and counseling, including a runaway teen who was reunited with family.
Detectives used apps and websites to pose as teens, and on one platform as an “older cousin” advertising a 15-year-old, then set up meetings at a Dania Beach hotel, according to Local 10. Six of the people arrested are from Broward County and the seventh is from Palm Beach County, authorities said.
Arrest records name several of those taken into custody as Ryan Thorpe Walker, 50; Marco Ramirez Linares, 22; Zubaer Ashar, 27; Kyle Andrew Rosenthal, 32; Grant Ryan Werner, 25; and Luis Chifundo Ortiz, 23. Investigators say some suspects lied about their ages or discussed paying for sex. In one exchange that deputies highlighted, Werner was quoted in a chat as writing, "Idkkk lol I’m low key ok with it but I don’t want to get in trouble." Reports also say others asked about birth control or offered money in exchange for sex.
Rescues And Regional Context
Deputies said the sting connected rescued victims to local shelters, medical care and counseling, and that one runaway was reunited with family and offered extended support services. Undercover hotel operations have been used in other South Florida investigations this year, including an April sting in Miami that also targeted buyers, according to Local 10.
Charges And Possible Penalties
The sheriff’s office said the arrests carry a range of counts, including human trafficking of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, solicitation of a minor, possession of MDMA and alleged probation violations. Florida law treats travel to meet a minor arranged online as a serious offense. The Florida Legislature notes that section 847.0135 allows second-degree felony charges that can carry prison terms up to 15 years and other collateral consequences such as sex-offender registration.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and that arrests and formal filings will be reflected in booking and court records as cases are referred to prosecutors. Anyone with information is asked to contact BSO or the state attorney’s office, the news release said.
