On August 25, 2026, Bay County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a suspended registration. During the stop, two occupants provided false identification. Deputies later determined both individuals were juveniles and established their true identities.
They were also discovered to be unaccompanied minors who were in the country illegally. Due to the suspicious circumstances, deputies investigated further into their stories.
Sanchez-Clemente, who was also inside the vehicle, was determined to be in the country illegally. During the encounter, he told deputies he was in a relationship with one of the juveniles.
Deputies continued investigating the circumstances and learned the two juveniles had been working for Sanchez-Clemente for several months. The juveniles reported that Sanchez-Clemente paid them appropriate wages and transported them to and from work. Based on the information obtained during the investigation, deputies found no indication of human trafficking.
One of the juveniles initially disclosed having recently entered into a relationship with Sanchez-Clemente. However, investigators continued their follow-up after determining the juveniles were not initially forthcoming about the full extent of the relationship.
During a subsequent interview, the juvenile victim disclosed that Sanchez-Clemente had been engaged in an ongoing sexual relationship with the victim.
Sanchez-Clemente confirmed during an interview that the juveniles worked for him and that he paid them wages consistent with what they had reported. He further admitted that he began a sexual relationship with one of the juveniles in June 2026. According to Sanchez-Clemente, the relationship continued as they traveled through multiple states, including Georgia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
Sanchez-Clemente admitted he was unsure of the victim’s age. Despite that uncertainty, and despite stating that he wanted to see the victim’s identification or meet with the victim’s parents, he continued the sexual relationship with the juvenile.
Sanchez-Clemente was ultimately arrested and charged with Sexual Battery. He was also placed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office commends the patrol deputy who conducted the initial traffic stop for recognizing circumstances that appeared suspicious, taking the additional step of verifying the juveniles’ identities, and continuing to investigate. What began as a traffic stop ultimately led to the identification of a juvenile victim and the arrest of a suspect.
