A Miami-area psychologist has been found guilty of grooming a 15-year-old girl and encouraging her to have sex with men during what prosecutors described as a drug-fueled gathering at a Doral hotel.
Maria Duarte was convicted this week following a trial in Miami-Dade County. Authorities said she first met the teen while the girl was walking her dog and befriended her at a time when the girl was having problems at home, according to NBC Miami.
Prosecutors said Duarte used the trust she built with the teenager, along with her standing as a psychologist, to manipulate her. Assistant State Attorney Justin Funck told jurors during closing arguments that Duarte groomed and took advantage of the girl before leading her to a “drug-fueled party” at the Aloft Hotel at 7600 SW 88th St. on Aug. 13, 2024.
Two men were drawn into the case alongside Duarte. Jason Mojica, 48, who was Duarte’s boyfriend, pleaded guilty last week to sexual battery and lewd and lascivious battery charges. He testified against Duarte and was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by 10 years of probation.
Hermes Mejia, 32, reached a separate plea deal in March 2025, pleading guilty to a single child abuse charge and receiving a sentence of probation. In exchange, prosecutors dropped lewd and lascivious battery and exhibition charges against him, court records show. He also testified against Duarte.
Jurors acquitted Duarte of human trafficking but convicted her on other counts, including having sex in front of the teenager and encouraging her to have sex with other men, according to NBC Miami.
Duarte had been free on house arrest ahead of trial, but Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Ellen Sue Venzer ordered her taken back into custody following the verdict.
Duarte’s psychology license was suspended in 2024, according to Law & Crime, which reported on a court appearance in which Duarte told a judge, “I’m a psychologist, I’m a Ph.D. I will lose my license and my life. I need help. I’ve never even touched that girl.”
She now faces up to 15 years in prison. Duarte has maintained she did nothing wrong and has claimed the teenage victim lied about what happened, NBC Miami reported.
