On or about November 4-6, 2025, officers from the Bloomington Police Department, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, participated in an undercover prostitution operation targeting solicitation of minors for sexual conduct. The operation was conducted from locations within Hennepin County, State of Minnesota. Officers placed ads on multiple websites offering prostitution services. One of the individuals who responded to an ad was JOSHUA HERNANDEZ-BAEZ [DOB REDACTED], the defendant herein.
The defendant then engaged in a text conversation with an undercover officer (UC) posing as a 17-year-old girl. The defendant first contacted “UC” on 11/4/25 by texting the number in the ad asking "UC" if she was available and her rates for thirty minutes. "UC" provided her rates ($150 hh). The defendant continued to reach out but "UC" did not respond. The defendant again texted the number in the ad on 11/5/2025 and asked if she was available. The defendant agreed to $150 for thirty minutes and asked "UC" if she accepted Zelle for payment.
The defendant advised that he was 30 and he was advised that "UC" was only 17. The defendant said he was cool with "UC" being only 17 if she could send a picture so he could know she was real. The defendant was given an address being used by law enforcement to meet “UC” which was located in Richfield, Hennepin County, Minnesota. When the defendant arrived, he was placed under arrest. Officers searched the defendant. Officers located and seized the defendant’s cell phone and 150 in pesos he had in possession.
A confirmatory text and phone call was placed to the number the defendant had been using to communicate with "UC" and that call was received on the defendant's phone. In a post-Miranda statement, using the language line, the defendant admitted that he had agreed to pay money for sex and that he was aware it was illegal. He admitted that he agreed to pay $150 for 20-30 minutes, that he was going to pay with electronic payment and that the person he was talking to told him she was only 17. Defendant admitted that he knew what he did was wrong.
Defendant was booked and released pending formal complaint.
