By Palm Beach and Broward Mugshots
“Feet Pics” Investigation Leads to Trafficking Allegations Against Two Adults in Palm Beach County
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — An undercover investigation involving offers of money for “feet pics” and videos led to a Boca Raton man’s arrest and the discovery of communications that police say exposed the exploitation of a vulnerable adult in a separate case.
Maximiliano Buitrago, 51, was arrested by Boynton Beach police on July 16, 2026, on allegations of solicitation to commit human trafficking and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. A subsequent Boca Raton investigation identified Charlie Pardieck, 51, as an alleged participant in arranging access to an adult victim for commercial s3xual content.
The two police affidavits describe how investigators connected an undercover online exchange to earlier encounters at a Boca Raton studio. The victim’s name, relationship to those involved, and identifying personal details are being withheld.
“Feet pics” is used here as shorthand for the foot-focused photographs and videos described in the reports, rather than as a verbatim quotation from the defendants.
According to Boynton Beach police, the investigation began when an undercover detective posing online as a 14-year-old posted an advertisement offering babysitting services. A man using the name “Alex,” later identified as Buitrago, allegedly responded by asking whether the teenager wanted to make money in other ways.
The conversation moved from Craigslist to text messages. Police say the detective repeatedly reinforced the fictional teenager’s age while Buitrago discussed payment for foot-focused content, photographs and videos.
The affidavit describes offers that included $200 for three hours and suggestions that the purported teenager could earn several hundred dollars in a day. Investigators allege Buitrago discussed selling the material and told the undercover detective that private clients overseas would see the videos.
Although the proposed work centered on “feet pics” and related footage, police say the messages established an intended s3xual purpose for the content.
Investigators also connected the phone number used in the exchange to advertising cards previously found near a Boca Raton middle school. According to the report, those cards offered easy money for brief feet-modeling sessions and emphasized anonymity.
Police arranged a meeting for July 16 at a Boynton Beach park. Officers reported locating Buitrago driving near the meeting area and taking him into custody. A call from the undercover phone rang on a phone inside his vehicle, according to the affidavit. Investigators also reported finding advertising cards similar to those previously recovered.
During a recorded statement after receiving Miranda warnings, Buitrago acknowledged the online contact and text exchanges, police wrote. Investigators say he also acknowledged coming to meet the person he believed was 14 and said the $50 found in his pocket was intended for that person.
The affidavit further alleges that Buitrago described plans to produce foot-fetish videos for online sale. The purported teenager in that operation was an undercover detective, not an actual minor.
The investigation expanded after police obtained records associated with Buitrago’s TextFree messaging account. According to the later Boca Raton affidavit, those records included communications with Pardieck dating to July 2025.
Boca Raton police began their investigation on August 28, 2026, working with the Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Boynton Beach police.
Investigators say the recovered messages showed discussions about financial compensation, commercial s3xual content and arrangements involving an adult with an intellectual disability.
According to the affidavit, Pardieck initially resisted a suggestion to involve the victim but later agreed to arrange encounters involving photographs or recordings of the victim’s feet, legs and hands. Police say the messages discussed a $400 upfront payment and showed that Pardieck understood the material would be sold for s3xual gratification.
The “feet pics” arrangement allegedly resulted in two trips to Buitrago’s Boca Raton studio during July 2025. Investigators say Pardieck coordinated transportation, left the victim with Buitrago and arranged the subsequent pickups.
Police cited messages, photographs and timestamps as evidence of those encounters. They also reported reviewing business records that connected Buitrago to the studio location.
In a recorded telephone interview, Pardieck acknowledged arranging two meetings and leaving the victim alone with Buitrago, according to the affidavit. She told investigators she understood that he would photograph or record the victim’s feet for a website.
Pardieck also told police that she stopped bringing the victim to the studio after the second encounter, when the victim reported being instructed not to disclose what had happened. According to her account in the affidavit, she discontinued communication with Buitrago and did not respond when he later attempted to reestablish contact.
A subsequent specialized interview with the victim produced allegations that went beyond “feet pics” or foot-focused filming.
According to police, the victim described unwanted intimate touching during an encounter at the studio. Investigators say the victim also identified photographs and the location associated with the investigation. Graphic details of that account are being withheld to protect the victim’s dignity and privacy.
Police reported reviewing records confirming an intellectual disability. The affidavit alleges that the victim could not fully appreciate the nature and purpose of the activity and cites communications indicating that Buitrago knew the victim did not understand what the content was for.
In the September 15 affidavit, Boca Raton investigators concluded that probable cause existed to accuse Pardieck of human trafficking involving commercial s3xual activity and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. Police allege she arranged and facilitated access to the victim and received a financial benefit connected to the activity.
The same affidavit also sets out probable-cause allegations against Buitrago concerning the adult victim. Those allegations are separate from the July undercover case documented in his Boynton Beach arrest report.
Together, the reports describe how an investigation into offers for “feet pics” led detectives to examine an alleged commercial exploitation arrangement involving a vulnerable adult.
These accounts are based on police affidavits and describe allegations, not findings of guilt. The supplied reports do not establish the current disposition of either case. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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