Republican activist says he’s entitled to a private life after he was caught agreeing to pay ‘escort’ $60 for sex
A Republican political activist in Florida says he deserves a private life after he was arrested for agreeing to pay $60 for sex to an undercover cop posing as an escort.
Ernesto Martin, a prominent activist in Hialeah, which is about nine miles from Miami, was arrested in an undercover prostitution sting on Thursday, according to NBC6.
Martin, who has worked alongside Hialeah’s Republican mayor Bryan Calvo, told the outlet: ‘My shame is reserved for my family, and those who are close to me, but you know the rest is my private life, and my intimacy is of no one’s importance.’
The activist is facing a misdemeanor after responding to an online ad for escort services, officials said.
While Martin’s statement did not specify his relationship status at the time of the arrest, he has previously posted photos on social media of a woman he has referred to as his ‘Mi amorcito,’ or ‘My little love.’
His arrest report showed that he made a verbal agreement to pay for sex and went to a meeting location, where he allegedly handed an undercover officer $60 before he was taken into custody.
‘You know, something that maybe seemed as normal doesn’t mean that it’s legal,’ Martin said.
Following his arrest, he released a statement in Spanish, noting that he accepted the consequences.
‘In recent days, I have gone through a difficult situation,’ reads part of the statement translated to English.
Ernesto Martin has posted a woman several times on different social media accounts which he referred to as his ‘Mi amorcito,’ which translates to ‘My little love’
Martin has worked alongside Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo and served as a political advisor to Emilio T. Gonzalez, who ran for mayor
‘What I do in my private life is private and is my own issue. However, I am not going to avoid my responsibility. I will accept whatever consequences the law determines with the same determination with which I have always faced every stage of my life.’
Martin continued by noting that he has never believed in cheap excuses or in playing the victim over the decisions he has made.
‘I have never tried to portray myself as a perfect man. I am a human being, with both strengths and flaws,’ the press release added.
‘What I can promise you is that I will always face things head-on, take responsibility for my actions, and work every day to become a better man.’
According to Martin’s LinkedIn, he began working in politics in 2024, starting as an assistant for the city of Hialeah before helping Mayor Calvo’s campaign.
He released a statement in Spanish appearing to accept the repercussions of his actions
Ernesto Martin, a prominent activist in Hialeah, was arrested on Thursday in an undercover prostitution sting after allegedly handed an undercover officer $60 for a sexual service
His work experience also showed that in 2025 he served as a political advisor to Emilio T. Gonzalez, who ran for mayor as a Republican candidate.
Martin did not want to speak about details of the case with NBC 6.
