No Bond For Dade School Employee Arrested In Sex Sting
NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBSMiami) — Bond was denied for a Miami-Dade school employee accused of luring a 14-year old girl to South Florida to become a prostitute.
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 45-year old Samuel Woodside, 45, on Saturday and charged him with human trafficking, traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sex, luring and enticing a minor to commit an unlawful act, interference with custody and sending harmful materials to a minor. The charge of human trafficking, according to a statute change in July of this year, is a non-bondable offense. Bond for the remaining charges was set at $23, 500.
The human trafficking charge is a 1st degree felony that could be punishable by life imprisonment if convicted.
Investigators said Woodside thought he was picking up the teen from Louisiana at a Greyhound bus station in Northwest Miami-Dade. That's when agents descended upon him.
"Obviously, he was stunned when we took him into custody in front of the bus station and he's apologetic at this point for his actions," said Bob Breeden, FLDE Assistant Special Agent In Charge.
FDLE said Woodside began communicating with the person he thought was a 14-year-old girl several weeks ago. Agents say he sent her sexually explicit photos and purchased a bus ticket for her.
"His intentions obviously were to have sex with her and he also had discussed using her to make money, prostituting her out," said Breeden.
Breeden said Woodside is a custodian at a Miami-Dade elementary school. Inside Woodside's truck at the bus station agents say they found a condom along with a Snickers bar and Dr. Pepper. Investigators say that is evidence against him.
"He had stopped and purchased her favorite candy bar and her favorite soft drink and he had it in his truck when he arrived at the bus station to pick her up," said Breeden.
Louisiana has additional warrants charging Woodside with indecent behavior with a juvenile, human trafficking and computer aided solicitation of a minor.
FDLE agents used their high-tech cyber crime van to search through Woodside's cellphone and agents also seized computer equipment from Woodside's home. Investigators say Woodside thought he was talking to the child but instead was communicating with an undercover officer. As he was led away, Woodside refused to respond to questions from CBS4.
The FDLE said Woodside has lots to answer to and agents say this case shows how focused they are on protecting children.
"FDLE's Cyber Squad will continue to work diligently to take predators like this off the streets," said Addy Villanueva, FDLE Miami's Special Agent in Charge.
Agents want to find out if Woodside's ever done this before. If you have any information contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
