On February 26, 2026, 22-year-old Leticia Monique Granados of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced in Allen County Superior Court for her role in the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl who had gone missing from her home in northeast Indiana in late 2024. Granados received a significant prison term following her conviction on charges including child sex trafficking, child exploitation, and two counts of promoting sex trafficking. (Exact sentence length details from court proceedings indicate a multi-year term, with another suspect’s case pending.)
How the Exploitation Began
The victim, a 17-year-old runaway, had expressed on Instagram her desire to leave home and find someone to take her in. Granados, then 21, connected with the teen online and, along with her co-defendant Harley Rose Cooley (then 20), arranged to pick her up from her residence on December 5, 2024. The women transported the girl to a home in Fort Wayne.
Court documents detail disturbing steps taken to isolate and control the victim:
The suspects immediately discarded the girl’s personal cell phone by tossing it out the car window.
They provided her with a new phone to prevent tracing or family contact.
They instructed her in sex work practices, including key terminology, how to set and adjust prices based on time of day or services, and methods for collecting payment from clients.
The pair allegedly took both clothed and unclothed photographs of the victim, which were used to advertise her services.
The Scale of the Abuse
Over several days, Granados and Cooley arranged approximately 20 sexual encounters between the minor and various men, profiting from the exploitation. During police interviews, Cooley admitted that Granados would “set up plays”—a slang term in sex trafficking for arranging paid sexual acts—for both herself and the underage victim. The women reportedly split proceeds, with half going directly to Granados.
The victim eventually escaped the situation and reported the crimes to authorities, leading to the arrests of both women in February 2025. Initial charges stemmed from a probable cause hearing, with evidence including victim statements, digital communications, and admissions from the suspects.
Legal Proceedings and Outcome
Granados and Cooley were originally charged together, but Granados faced sentencing first on February 26, 2026. Cooley’s case is expected to proceed separately, with an appearance anticipated soon after. The case was prosecuted in Indiana state court under charges related to child sex trafficking and exploitation, carrying severe penalties due to the victim’s minor status—no proof of force, fraud, or coercion is required for sex trafficking of minors under federal and many state laws, as children cannot legally consent.
This conviction highlights the predatory use of social media for grooming and recruitment, as well as the brutal tactics traffickers employ to sever victims from support systems (e.g., destroying phones and providing controlled devices).
Broader Implications and Awareness
Child sex trafficking remains a critical issue, with victims often targeted through online platforms where they express vulnerability. Authorities emphasize red flags like sudden isolation from family, new phones without explanation, and exposure to adult “mentors” who introduce exploitative language or behaviors.
The victim’s courage in coming forward enabled swift action and prevented further harm. This case serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance—parents, educators, and online platforms must monitor for grooming signs, while communities support resources like the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888).
Our thoughts remain with the survivor as she continues her recovery. May this sentencing bring some measure of justice and deter others from such heinous crimes. The exploitation of children demands zero tolerance. 💔
