UPDATE: Man accused of forcing girls into prostitution denied bail

The 18-year-old man who allegedly forced two girls into prostitution via advertisements on Backpage.com stood before a federal judge Tuesday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Anne Berton denied Edeme Missiadan bail. Alex Melendez, Missiadan’s defense attorney, wanted Judge Berton to assign his client to a halfway house pending trial.

Melendez argued Missiadan, who is homeless, had been a foster child since he was taken away from his father at the age of 13. Melendez also said his client agreed to accompany the two girls to El Paso, but was unaware the girls intended to engage in prostitution.

Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Julio Lara testified one of the alleged victims was the girlfriend of Missiadan’s brother, who is serving time in prison for promoting prostitution.

On July 26, 2016, FBI and HSI agents received information from the Mesa Police Department via the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. A man identified as Missiadan was allegedly traveling to El Paso, Texas with two underage girls for the purposes of prostitution.

Investigators, pursuant to a summons, were able to obtain backpage.com advertisements allegedly showing the juvenile victims. Undercover agents initiated contact via text message with the number listed on the advertisement. They solicited an appointment for prostitution and allegedly received the following text message: “Hi. This is Natalia. Are u affiliated with any law enforcement? We’re not. Just asking for safety reasons.”

Agents negotiated a half an hour visit with one prostitute, a court document states. A female using the number listed on the advertisement allegedly called the agents and arranged a meeting at the Super 8 located on Gateway East Blvd. in El Paso.

According to the document, an agent approached the Super 8 and noticed a female standing outside room 126 motioning to him. The agent entered room 126 and allegedly negotiated the cost of sex with the two underage girls. The agent placed $250 on a dresser. At that point, other agents entered the room, detained both girls, and later arrested Missiadan in the hotel courtyard.

Missiadan allegedly waived his rights in writing and acknowledged one of the girls was 17 years old while the other was 15, court documents state. Missiadan allegedly told investigators the 17-year-old was his girlfriend and that he had bought bus tickets for the group so they could travel to El Paso.

During the interview, Missiadan allegedly gave investigators permission to examine his mobile phone. Agents allegedly found the photos of the victims posted on the Backpage.com advertisement. Agents also discovered the email listed on the advertisement was allegedly linked to Missiadan’s phone.

Information revealed Room 126 at the Super 8 was allegedly paid for by Missiadan, the court document states.

Missiadan denied he and the girls were involved in prostitution. The girls allegedly told agents they traveled to El Paso to make money prostituting themselves. The 17-year-old allegedly said she planned on traveling alone, but Missiadan would not let her travel without protection.

The 15-year-olf girl allegedly told agents Missiadan provided security and kept track of time and prostitution appointments. Missiadan would allegedly text them to check on the status of appointments and knock on the motel doors when appointments ended.

Investigators did not release Missiadan’s mugshot. He is scheduled to appear in court August 2, 2016.