MIAMI (WSVN) - A church driver is facing multiple felony charges after, Miami Police said, he sent sexually explicit messages to a 13-year-old girl he transported to and from church classes, and detectives believe there could be more victims.
Elvin Daniel Ortiz Cruz appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer on Monday. The 23-year-old faces multiple felony charges including promoting sexual performance by a child, electronic transmission harmful to a minor, and soliciting and luring a child to engage in sex.
Police said Ortiz Cruz worked as a driver for Ministerio Internacional Jesús El Salvador on Northwest 23rd Street, where he drove a van that gave him access to the girl when he began picking her up and dropping her off to church classes in 2024.
Investigators said the girl told them it was this year that the texts from the suspect ramped up.
Detectives said their investigation started Nov. 3, when the girl’s mother discovered the disturbing messages and reported them to authorities.
“It appears that the church employee had requested several inappropriate photos from that minor as well as requested to engage in a sexually inappropriate phone conversations with that minor,” Miami Police spokesperson Kiara Delva said.
Miami Police Department detectives from the Special Victims and Internet Crimes Against Children units for to work, gathering evidence, including an undercover operation.
According to the arrest report, an officer posed as the victim and exchanged messages with Ortiz Cruz for several days.
Investigators said he continued sending inappropriate messages and asked for photos and videos of the teen.
One message from the suspect reads, “Send me a really hot picture so I can delete the chat.”
In another exchange, the arrest report states, the girl and Ortiz Cruz talk about her age.
“When is your birthday?” Ortiz Cruz wrote in a text.
The undercover officer responded, “I’m 13 but I turn 14.”
Ortiz Cruz wrote, “I thought you were 14,” then followed that with, “My birthday is February 11. I turn 24, I was born in 2002, I’m 10 years older than you,” followed by two laughing emojis.
Detectives said they also found several inappropriate messages and pictures between the suspect and the teen.
Ortiz Cruz was arrested outside the church, late Sunday afternoon. Surveillance video captured unmarked police vehicles as they arrived and escorted the suspect away in handcuffs.
“The parent in this case actually did the correct thing. Fortunate enough, she reviewed her child’s phone and discovered these inappropriate text messages,” said Delva.
Authorities hope more parents do the same thing should they find any messages that cross the line.
“We’re encouraging parents to speak to their children, review their phone messages, phone calls, and if you suspect any type of inappropriate activity, please contact the department with this information,” said Delva.
Police said Ortiz Cruz has no prior convictions involving children but warned there could be additional victims and urged anyone with information to come forward.
The suspect remains in custody, and he does have an immigration hold. In court Tuesday, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Cristina Miranda added a $7,500 for one of the charges he is facing, bringing his bond up to $40,000.
If he posts bond, Ortiz Cruz will be on house arrest, but because of his immigration hold and the nature of these charges, Miranda said, he could be deported.
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