Wanted human trafficking suspect taken into custody in St. Pete

Published: Updated:
Curtis Gruwell

A man who was on the run from law enforcement after being caught participating in human sex trafficking operation has turned himself into authorities, according to St. Pete Police.

A trailer where young victims were living is in St. Petersburgh, but deputies found at least three of the accused suspects living at home on Moore Avenue in Lehigh Acres.

St. Pete police say Curtis Gruwell turned himself in early Tuesday morning.

He’s charged with Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking and Interference with Custody.

MORE: Lehigh Acres suspects arrested for human sex trafficking

A half-dozen arrests and a man on the run after investigators find teenage sex slaves living in a dirty trailer. The mother of one of those suspects, Mark Earl Dennis, told WINK News they’ve got it wrong. She says Dennis moved back to Lehigh Acres with his husband to take care of his father.

Dennis’ mother also said the two men even brought a 15-year-old boy for a visit and said they planned to adopt him.

Authorities say the married couple was using the boy as a sex slave, but Dennis’ mother believes he is being wrongly accused.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.