Miami psychologist Maria Duarte faces up to 15 years in prison after being convicted of pushing minor to have sex with adult men

Maria Duarte, a psychologist in Miami, has been convicted on two sex-related charges regarding a minor. She is accused of pushing a 15-year-old girl to have sex with two adult men in 2024.

According to the Miami Herald, Duarte was convicted on two sex-related charges on Tuesday, November 10. She was, however, acquitted on one charge of human trafficking. A jury comprising six members deliberated on the case before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Ellen Sue Venzer announced the verdict.

The human trafficking charge was the most serious one, but she was acquitted. The sentencing will now take place on January 11, 2027. She faces up to 15 years in prison. Maria Duarte was on house arrest before the trial, but was taken to jail after the hearing.

As per the police reports, Maria Duarte allegedly pushed a 15-year-old girl to have sex with two adult men. She reportedly got in touch with her at a hotel while she was strolling around with her dog in 2024. She then told the girl that she was a psychologist, as they spoke about the teenager's home life.

Duarte also offered the girl marijuana and alcohol, but she refused. She then convinced the teenager to come to her hotel room later that night. The psychologist then allegedly told the girl that a man named Pablo wanted to have sex with her.

The girl refused, but according to police reports, the man came into the room and sexually assaulted her. The man was identified as Hermes Mejia, who pleaded guilty in March 2025. He was sentenced to probation after some charges against him were dropped.

Meanwhile, Maria Duarte's boyfriend, Jason Mojica, also went to the hotel room and allegedly sexually assaulted the teenager. He also pleaded guilty and testified against Duarte earlier this month. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and 10 years of probation.

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Arguments from the lawyers from both sides as Maria Duarte is convicted of sex-related charges

Prosecution lawyer Justin Funck detailed the incident in court during the trial and in his closing statements. He claimed that the teenager had some issues at home, which led to her getting close to Maria Duarte, the psychologist. Funck said (via NBC6 Miami):

“She felt like she wasn’t alone, that someone cared about her. Somebody who was going to help her put on clothes and do her makeup and do her hair.”

“The defendant used that 15-year-old girl to lure men to the hotel where they had sex and did drugs,” he added.

Meanwhile, defense lawyer Robert Barrar denied any wrongdoing by Maria Duarte. He said in court:

“Whatever happened at that hotel was not a result of Maria doing anything with the child, this young lady, other than giving her a shoulder to cry on.”

After Duarte's conviction, Barrar said that he was “happy” that she was acquitted on the human trafficking charge. He added:

“Overall, I think it was a huge win.”

Barrar also questioned the plea deals for Mejia and Mojica, claiming that the case is "riddled with reasonable doubt like Swiss cheese."

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