POLICE FEAR VICTIMS ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) —The PBSO Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit is asking for the public’s help in identifying anyone who may have had encounters with Michel Montano Alvarez. Montano Alvarez met his victim through his business and has been arrested on charges of Human Trafficking of a minor and Lewd and Lascivious Molestation. Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
According to an arrest report, deputies were called in after the girl, then 17, told investigators that Montano Alvarez — who runs a barbershop and salon in Greenacres that also offers nail and permanent makeup services — offered to pay her to learn how to give massages. The teen said she met Montano Alvarez earlier this year while picking up a family member at his shop, and that he later offered her makeup and hair work. Deputies say Montano Alvarez texted the teen offering her $250 a week to “practice massages,” and on June 28 picked her up at his shop and drove her to a motel on Lake Worth Road in Lake Worth.
Once inside the motel room, the teen told detectives, Montano Alvarez began giving her a back massage before moving his hands to her buttocks and vaginal area and pulling down her blouse to touch her breasts, all while she repeatedly told him “no.” She said he then exposed himself, produced a condom, and asked her for “a little bit” of time with him before ultimately agreeing to take her back to his shop after she kept asking to leave. Investigators say he gave her cash — the exact amount is disputed — and told her not to tell anyone. Detectives say partially deleted text messages recovered from both phones backed up much of the teen’s account. When questioned, Montano Alvarez admitted driving the teen to the motel and touching her but told detectives he believed she was 18 and that she had agreed to everything.
Montano Alvarez is now facing a first-degree felony charge of human trafficking of a minor for commercial sexual activity and a third-degree felony charge of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim age 16 or 17, according to jail and court records.
If YOU believe you were affected or have any information that could assist our investigation, please contact Detective Holguin 561-687-6832, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477) or remain anonymous by downloading the PBSO app, available for Apple and Android smartphones. Tips can be submitted using the “See Something” feature. The app is available at http://www.pbsoapp.com.
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