Florida Undercover Op rescues human trafficking victim and nets 13 arrests
Yesterday, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) headquartered in Bunnell and Palm Coast, Florida, announced that on June 16 and 17, their Special Investigations Unit teamed up with Homeland Security Investigations to proactively combat Human Trafficking in the area. Also assisting in this operation were members of the FCSO Problem Area Crime Enforcement team and Community Policing Division.
Their operation focused on individuals soliciting prostitution services online on websites specifically utilized for prostitution advertisements, suspected prostitutes’ transporters and handlers, as well as subjects who are attempting to procure sexual services from these individuals.
The op successfully led to the discovery and interception of a victim of Human Trafficking. The Special Investigations Unit has turned the individual over to the care of Homeland Security Inverstigations, who has initiated the process of providing the victim with a variety of services and assistance to be able t o keep them away from their human trafficker. That investigation is ongoing.
Additionally, the two-day operation netted 13 arrests which included a variety of prostitution, narcotics, and firearms-related offenses.
Those arrested are:
• Matthew Faircloth (DOB: 9/3/81) – Solicit Prostitution
• Roger Warren Dean (DOB: 4/19/59) – Solicit Prostitution
• Andrew Bruce King (DOB: 11/25/70) – Solicit Prostitution
• Omar Mostafa Elsheimy (DOB: 12/10/94) – Solicit Prostitution
• William Norman Lewis (DOB: 11/3/83) – Solicit Prostitution
• Thomas J. Morrell (DOB: 7/28/49) – Solicit Prostitution
• Cleveland Williams (DOB: 7/16/91) – Solicit Prostitution, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Sell, Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Sell, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Sanchez Demario Clark (DOB: 1/26/91) – No Florida DL
• Matthew Carl Santoro (DOB: 7/1/87) – Solicit Prostitution
• Kayleigh Ann Ferguson (DOB: 1/11/98) – Offer to Commit Prostitution, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Rachell Alexis Ponder (DOB: 1/9/98) – Offer to Commit Prostitution 2nd Offense, No Florida DL
• Nicole Dimeo (DOB: 5/4/85) – Offer to Commit Prostitution, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Alprazolam, Possession Drug Paraphernalia
• Dewayne Leonard Holmes (DOB: 7/17/83) – FTA Reference Resisting LEO (Volusia County Warrant)
“I want to thank our Special Investigations Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, and our PACE team for their incredible work during this operation,” Sheriff Rick Staly said.
“Whenever we conduct operations like this we rarely only charge offenders with soliciting prostitution. We recovered drugs, firearms, and this time the operation led to the rescue of a victim of human trafficking. These are not victimless crimes and we will continue to work to end human trafficking, prostitution and drugs in Flagler County. I also hope the females that were arrested get the help they need to get off drugs and turn their life around.”
The Sheriff’s Office has recommended that anyone wanting information on how the public can take a stand against human trafficking in Florida, to visit https://floridaallianceendht.com/
(Source: FCSO)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
