Accused Tampa ‘madam’ set for bond hearing in human trafficking case

TAMPA, Florida. – The woman accused of running a human trafficking ring out of Tampa Bay area massage parlors and hair salons is expected in court Monday for a bond hearing.

Investigators say Lina Payne lured women from Venezuela and Colombia with promises of work only to force them into prostitution. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said she did this with the help of her own family.

READ: Tampa ‘madam’ accused of human trafficking, prostitution resonates in massage parlors and hair salons

An attorney representing Payne and her boyfriend, Sebastian Jurado, entered a “not guilty” plea for the couple last week in a Hillsborough County courtroom.

The two men – who are currently in jail – face RICO charges and several other crimes related to a sex trafficking operation in Hillsborough and Manatee counties. Lina’s son, Andres Payne, also faces charges.

During surveillance operations at a hair salon in Tampa, investigators observed Lina’s boyfriend, Jurado, bringing women rolling their suitcases behind them.

A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office human trafficking operation resulted in the arrest of several Johns and the rescue of women from at least one location linked to Payne.

Documents detail that one victim told investigators that Payne loaned her between $40,000 and $50,000 to come to the United States and that she could repay it by working at one of his establishments.

Little did they know that this would mean having sex with strangers.

Lina is expected in court at 9 a.m.

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