Golden Gate man arrested in human trafficking case

A Golden Gate man with a history of human trafficking is suspected of bringing illegal citizens into Southwest Florida against their will.

Jorge Gavina Nunez, 45, of 2126 SW 41st St., was arrested on a federal warrant by Lee County authorities on Feb. 3, following a traffic accident on Interstate 75 near Fort Myers.

According to Lee County Sheriff's reports, Nunez was wanted by the U.S. Marshals office for violating his parole on a human trafficking conviction in Texas. Authorities investigating his Feb. 3 accident on I-75 found four illegal immigrants in his 1991 Pontiac van, according to reports.

Bob Pastula, supervisory deputy U.S. Marshall in Fort Myers, said there is reason to believe the people in the car were being hel against their will. He would not elaborate on those reasons.

Pastula said he did not know if the individuals in the car were male or female.

In Texas, Nunez had been arrested on human trafficking charges and had been deported back to Mexico.

Nunez is being held in the Lee County Jail as an out-of-state fugitive. He is also charged with driving without a valid license.

He might also face federal charges for trafficking the four people found in his car, Pastula said. Interviews are still being conducted and the four people in the car are being held as material witnesses, he said.

Officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Fort Myers could not be reached for comment Friday.