A Massachusetts man is facing human trafficking and rape accusations, according to police.
Luis Santos, 22, of Worcester, was arrested for allegedly kidnapping, raping, and human trafficking a minor.
Worcester police say the 14-year-old female victim met Santos online and began communicating with him via Facebook, when Santos allegedly paid $5,000 to have the victim illegally smuggled across the border from El Salvador to the United States in mid-December.
The victim moved into an apartment with Santos on Kingsbury Street in Worcester, and despite informing Santos she did not want a romantic relationship with him, she was forced to sleep in the same bed and was sexually touched on numerous occasions by him, according to police.
Santos allegedly keep the victim from attending school, locked her in the bedroom, and refused to let her use the phone.
After three weeks, the victim was able to leave the apartment and informed family friends of the incident, police said.
Police were notified by Worcester Public Schools that the victim was not attending class on a regular basis.
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Eventually, police say officers were able to get in touch with Santos over the phone and was later arrested.
"It's extremely troubling, on a number of levels" Worcester Police Sgt. Michael Hanlon said, adding "Obviously the 14-year-old female had no idea where to go when she became a victim. She doesn't speak English, she didn't really know anyone here, so I'm sure she was in fear and had nowhere to run."
Santos is charged with kidnapping, rape of a child with force, human trafficking of a minor, and three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older.
It's not clear if he has an attorney.
