Executive Summary
- Lennys Cotto and Joe Trejo were arrested and held without bond on sex trafficking charges.
- The investigation involved the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security.
- Evidence found on electronic devices linked the suspects to trafficking via social media.
- Two juvenile victims have been identified, interviewed, and are now receiving care.
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. – Two residents of Ocala have been charged with sex trafficking two female minors in Okaloosa County following a joint investigation by local and federal authorities. Lennys Cotto, 30, and Joe Trejo, 28, were arrested last Tuesday and are currently being held at the Okaloosa County Jail, where their bonds have been denied.
According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation was initiated following previous arrests of Cotto and Trejo in May 2025. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, working alongside the Homeland Security Unit and the Major Crimes Unit, identified indicators suggesting human trafficking activity. Authorities subsequently located and interviewed two juvenile victims as well as a witness to the alleged activities.
Law enforcement officials report that a review of electronic devices provided evidence connecting the suspects to the sex trafficking of the minors. The investigation revealed that the alleged trafficking occurred at local bars and was facilitated through social media applications. Deputies have confirmed that the victims are now safe and are receiving necessary support services.
Investigative Outlook & Legal Proceedings
The collaboration between the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security underscores the increasing reliance on inter-agency cooperation to address crimes that cross jurisdictional lines, such as the movement of suspects from Ocala to the Florida Panhandle. This case also highlights the critical role of digital forensics in substantiating trafficking allegations involving social media platforms. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
