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Campaign treasurer of former Miami-Dade mayoral candidate accused of having sex with minors – NBC 6 South Florida

The campaign treasurer of a former Miami-Dade mayoral candidate was arrested after police say he had a sexual relationship with an underage boy.

Andy Santana, 33, was booked into jail early Thursday on charges of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a child, records show.



Miami-Dade Corrections

Andy Santana

Records showed Santana, of Hialeah, was the campaign treasurer for Alex Otaola, who ran for Miami-Dade mayor this year but finished third in the Aug. 20 primary as incumbent Daniella Levine Cava won re-election.

Otaola, a well-known actor and social media influencer, responded to the arrest in a Facebook post in Spanish on Thursday.

“Today we woke up to sadly embarrassing news for me and my team: the arrest of the campaign treasurer who is being investigated for a truly reprehensible allegation,” the translated post read in part. “I want to make it clear without a doubt that I have no control over the private lives of my employees, and while I value them highly, I strongly oppose any illegal or morally questionable actions. Every person has to deal with this.” However, I also cannot rule out the clear intention of various groups on social media and in the press to discredit my reputation and my work and to undermine the credibility of my complaints and my work. I would like to make it clear: I have nothing to do with this situation and I have nothing to say about it.

According to an arrest report, the alleged victim, a 17-year-old male, and Santana engaged in a sexual relationship from May 12 to approximately September 15.

On Oct. 2, the victim arrived at Hialeah police headquarters to report the relationship and had indecent images and a video that supported his claims, the report said.

The teen said he met Santana through social media and Santana sent him direct messages. On May 12, he responded to a message and arranged to meet Santana at the home of a family friend, the report said.

The teen got into Santana's car and Santana kissed and fondled him, the report said.

The next day, Santana picked up the teen and took him to the Hialeah apartment Santana shares with his mother, where Santana performed a sex act on the teen, the report said.

At some point, Santana “took out an object, held it to the victim's nose and asked the victim to inhale,” the report said.

The victim asked what it was and Santana told him it was “poppers, also known as alkyl nitrites, a recreational drug used as an inhalant to relax muscles and relieve the pain of sexual activity,” according to the report.

The teen said he inhaled it and felt dizzy before they had sex, the report said.

In another incident on July 4, Santana picked up the teen and took him to a party on the beach, where the teen said Santana was drunk, the report said.

The two went back to Santana's apartment, where Santana offered the teen poppers, but the teen declined, the report said.

At some point, Santana pulled out handcuffs, tied the teen's hands behind his back and pushed him facedown on his bed, the report said.

The teen said he repeatedly told Santana that he didn't want to have sex with him because he felt sick, but Santana ignored the teen's requests, the report said.

The teen said the handcuffs were used twice, the report said.

According to the report, the teen said he would have sex with Santana at least five times a week and would spend some weekends at Santana's apartment.

The teen said the relationship ended in September when Santana “became concerned about possible information about him and the victim engaging in sexual activity that was posted on social media,” the report said.

The teen said he went to Santana's apartment on Sept. 15 to get some of his things and Santana offered him a ride home.

Along the way, Santana offered the teen a vapor, which he inhaled, thinking it was tobacco, but he said he smelled marijuana and felt dizzy, the report said.

Santana parked and told the teen to get in the back seat. He then offered the teen a popper, which the teen declined, the report said.

According to the report, Santana was taken into custody late Wednesday and refused to make a statement without his attorney present.

He was arrested and taken to prison. Attorney information was not available.

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