Deputies: Women held in storage unit for prostution

BRADENTON (FOX 13) - A woman who says she was forced into prostitution and held against her will in a storage container is now safe - and her alleged captor behind bars. 

Manatee County sheriff's deputies said the victim, 24, came to the sheriff's office to report the ordeal on behalf of herself and another female victim, a 29-year-old.

Deputies arrested 41-year-old Juan Cruz, Jr., of Bradenton. He is accused of giving "large amounts of heroin and crack" to the two women so they would have sexual encounters with Cruz's clients. 

Cruz would then collect money from the subjects, deputies say. 

MCSO says Cruz gave the victims drugs and locked them in his storage unit in the 3100 block of 3rd Street W.

Juan Cruz, Jr. is charged with human trafficking. 

MCSO says deputies are still investigating and additional charges are pending.  

FDLE assisted in the investigation.