Traffic Stop by County Police Leads to Human Trafficking Investigation

OffIcials say a routine traffic stop by a Westchester County Police officer has led to the arrest of a Florida man on charges he forced at least three women into working for him as prostitutes through acts of intimidation, violence, and threats to harm their family members.

The FBI has joined Westchester County Police in the investigation and believes that the suspect has victimized even more women. They are now conducting a multi-state human trafficking investigation. 

Authorities allege 35 year old Nicholas Alvarez of Miami, Florida transported the women between New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and Virginia to force them to engage in acts of prostitution.

The investigation stems from a traffic stop made on February 3 at noon on the Saw Mill River Parkway when police stopped a vehicle for not having a rear license plate. Cops say the people in the vehicle gave them phony identification and they also determined that the car had been reported stolen in Virginia.