On December 18, 2019, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received information from the Florida Department of Children and Families describing possible child sexual abuse occurring at an unknown location in Lee County.
The victim, 14 years-of-age, provided bits of information including two names used by the suspect: “Tio” and “Frank.”
Following an extensive investigation, Lee County detectives were able to identify the suspect as Jesus Francisco Santana Perez (DOB 10-05-1967) and to determine that there were a number of other victims.
Additionally, it was determined that the suspect was trafficking underage girls, providing them with drugs, use of his car and cash.
On January 6, 2020, deputies made contact with Jesus Francisco Santana Perez at his home in Lehigh Acres. The suspect was detained and transported to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to be interviewed.
Jesus Francisco Santana Perez was subsequently arrested and charged with two (2) counts of Lewd Battery per Florida Statute 800.04 (4a1) and two (2) counts of 787.06 (3a1) for Human Trafficking.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno has maintained and continues to maintain a zero-tolerance policy for any type of abuse be it child abuse, elder abuse or animal abuse.
“Human trafficking is one of the most despicable offenses that we investigate,” stated Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “I’m proud of my team for acting quickly, investigating thoroughly, and removing this monster from the streets of Lee County.”