Man and woman forced 16-year-old to have sex with men, officials say. They face federal charges

The 16-year-old girl ran away from a group home and had nowhere to stay.

That’s when she met Frantz Mersier, 30, of Hollywood, and Paula Barboza, 25, of Miami Gardens.

Mersier gave the girl a couch to sleep on, but investigators say he also forced the teenager to have sex with at least four men. Each man paid $100, which Mersier or Barboza kept for themselves, according to a criminal complaint.

Barboza, the complaint alleges, took nude photos of the girl and posted them online to get customers.

Mersier and Barboza, who have been ordered detained before trial because they are considered a danger to the community, are facing federal charges that include conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking of a minor, the Department of Justice announced Monday. Additionally, Barboza faces a charge of production of child pornography.

Both could face up to a lifetime in prison, if convicted. They will have an arraignment on March 31.

The teen ran away from the group home on Dec. 3 and three days later she met an unidentified man, who then drove her to Mersier’s house, where they had sex in his vehicle, according to the complaint.

Barboza came over to Mersier’s home Dec. 7, telling the girl that she would “make a lot of money” if she engaged in

“commercial sex acts and advertising herself on the internet,” an investigator wrote. She then took provocative photos of the teen.

The girl told investigators that she had sex with several men, including Mersier.

On Dec. 9, the teen was taken to a Hollywood hotel where she managed to call a relative. The relative turned to police, who rescued the girl.

Armed with a search warrant, officers arrived at Mersier’s home and found the bag along with Mersier’s wallet, identification and cellphone. They also found a message between Mersier and Barboza discussing whether the teen was talking to police, according to the complaint.

Attorneys for Mersier and Barboza either declined to comment or could not be reached.

To report suspected human trafficking or to obtain resources for victims 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call 1-888-3737888; text BeFree (233733); or live chat at HumanTraffickingHotline.org.