19 arrested in Polk Co. online prostitution sting

POLK COUNTY, Fla.,None — The Polk County Sheriff's Office said it arrested 19 people on charges of soliciting prostitution and narcotics violations.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives said they conducted a two-day investigation focusing on online ads soliciting for prostitution.

"The negative social costs of prostitution hurt families, children and communities," said Sheriff Grady Judd.  "Whether it is on the street, or online, it is illegal, and we will continue to arrest those who commit or derive proceeds from prostitution.  We will continue to target online escort services that promote prostitution, and as long as these sites provide the means for prostitution to occur, we will provide the trip to jail."

• SLIDESHOW: 19 people arrested in undercover prostitution bust

• READ: Details on 19 arrested

Undercover detectives said they posted and answered ads for sex on Backpage.com and said that six of the people who answered were married.

The 19 people arrested were identified as Eugene Agbebaku, John David Szydlowski, Tracy Lamont Brassfield, Brittany Reese, Britany Vance, Daryn Weatherman, Michael Cerny, Emmanuel Alejo, Desiree Sunshine Dorrance, Keyonte Rashad Kilgore, Dwayne Amos Pinkney Jr., Jason F. O’Farrell, Aniyuo Christopher Keeler, Marvin Stewart Caraballo-Munoz, Javier Lara, Michael Tolley, Terrance Jones,William Curtis Bigham and David Joseph Couell.

WFTV