A 37-year-old Homestead man and a 26-year-old Key Largo man have been arrested for sexually assaulting a teenage girl in separate incidents.
Pedro Cupertino of Homestead and Ariel Cruz Morales of Key Largo were both charged with sexual assault.
Morales was arrested late Wednesday night and Cupertino was arrested Thursday morning.
The victim was 14- through 16-years-old when the incidents took place.
The investigation included the Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Department of Law Enforcement as well as the Sheriff’s Office. The teenager was placed in the custody of DCF when authorities were notified of the crimes.
The victim stated the incidents with Cupertino began in 2015. She stated the incidents with Morales began in 2016.
The victim stated she was forced to have sex with Cupertino. She stated he used his cell phone to videotape some of the incidents. She told investigators Cupertino was also verbally abusive as well as physically abusive.
The victim stated Morales also had sex with her in a separate incident apart from Cupertino.
Arrest warrants were issued for both men. Both men were booked into jail.
The investigation is ongoing and more charges and arrests may be pending.