"Sexual Assault"

Published on: February 26, 2025

Miami Jury: Founder of Haitian Orphanage Guilty of Sexually Abusing Minors. What to Know.

The three-week-long trial in the case of an American orphanage founder accused of sexually abusing multiple boys in Haiti ended Thursday with a guilty verdict.

Michael Geilenfeld, 73, of Colorado, was found guilty on six counts of engaging in illicit sexual contact with minors in a foreign place and one count of traveling from Miami to Haiti for that purpose Thursday in Miami federal court. He faces up to 30 years in prison on each of the charges, according to reporting from the Miami Herald.

Geilenfeld was previously offered a plea deal to shorten his sentence but rejected it.

Published on: February 13, 2025

Teen Assaulted on Airplane Documented the Incident for Authorities. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A 17-year-old girl was groped aboard a JetBlue airplane flying from Puerto Rico to Boston by a father of four and photographed the incident as it occurred for police.

Now the man accused of the assault is facing charges.

The man, flying with his wife and children, allegedly reached in between the seat cushions of a young girl in the seat in front of him on Aug. 30. The girl used her cellphone to take pictures as he allegedly reached into her seat.

Published on: December 13, 2024

No Kids on Social Media in Florida Starting Jan. 1. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

Soon, kids under 14 years old will be barred from having social media accounts in Florida, according to reporting from the Miami Herald.

Starting Jan. 1, all platforms with adult content, or “material that is harmful to minors,” on their sites will be compelled to verify whether users are 18 years old or older. The platforms are expected to do this via third-party age verification on new accounts. The bill does not consider sites used exclusively for email or direct messaging limited to sender and recipients as social media.

Children under 14 with accounts will see their profiles shut down and those between 14 and 15 years old will be able to have accounts only if they have permission from a parent or guardian. If an account is suspected of belonging to someone who is under 14 years of age but doesn’t, there will be a 90-day appeal window.

Published on: August 18, 2017

Negligent Security on the Rise in the Era of ‘Online Hospitality Services’

By Leesfield & Partners

Hotel, travel and tourism injuries rapidly increase with inadequate security and safety neglect on premises. Once again, Airbnb has been sued by a guest claiming another host at the property assaulted her. Of course, Airbnb and Vrbo do not do a background check which would have prevented this alleged sexual assault, nor do they have any security measures and typical keys, locks and door protection. This is a wide open area of vulnerability according to Leesfield & Partners Founding Partner, Ira Leesfield who chairs the American Association for Justice Resort Torts Litigation Group.

There are ongoing battle rages between the hotel/public accommodation industry and Airbnb about the increasing shift of travelers from traditional hotels to less protected “homey” environments.

Airbnb not only fails to check on the guest, but also does not run background check or security analysis of the host renters. The lawsuit filed by Leslie Lapayowker, and reported in The Guardian contends that a background check would have uncovered the fact that the owner had been arrested and charged with battery, and prevented from listing his property on Airbnb. The plaintiff alleges that she was held in a chair, against her will, as the host proceeded to masturbate in front of her.

Published on: September 28, 2012

Masseur at Fontainebleau Hotel arrested for sexually assaulting guest

By Leesfield & Partners

Francisco Araica, 26, was arrested this week for sexually assaulting a guest at the Fontainebleau Hotel where Araica works as a masseur.

Last Sunday, a female guest, who was a habitual visitor of the Lapis Spa at the hotel was sexually assaulted during a massage. The victim told police that the assault happened in the middle of the massage. Apparently the victim was in too much fear that Araica would become more violent, she confronted her assailant after the assault had stopped. Approximately 10 minutes later, Araica left the room. She immediately left the room as well and contacted police. Through his attorney, Araica surrendered and was charged with one count of sex battery.

This morning, the alleged molester paid his bond and was seen leaving the Miami-Dade County jail with a jacket over his face, not to be seen by cameras.