Groveland man accused of paying teenagers for sex faces more charges

GROVELAND, Fla. — A Groveland man accused of paying teenage girls for sex is facing more charges.

Vincent Thomas, 27, was arrested Wednesday and new charges were added Friday.

A 15-year-old girl told investigators Thomas gave her drugs, including cocaine and acid, at his Groveland home in exchange for sex.

She also said Thomas had recorded and took pictures of her performing a sex act, according to a report.

Girls in the Groveland neighborhood said Thomas made them feel uncomfortable.

“He would just stand outside and stare at me sometimes. Every time I’d get off the bus, he’d be there watching me,” said resident Rebecca Bryant. “I am very disgusted with it and I’m glad I never talked to him or gave him the time of day.”

She said she wasn’t surprised to hear about Thomas’ arrest last week on the child sex, child porn and drug charges.

During the investigation, another teenager told detectives that while she was not a victim, she knew Thomas liked “younger white females” and that he would give them drugs and alcohol in exchange for sex.

Detectives found the videos and pictures supporting the initial victim’s story and arrested Thomas.

“Here in Lake County, we are aware of it, but it is shocking when it happens like this and you see someone who is this involved with so many young girls,” said Lt. John Herrell of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

While being taken to jail, Thomas told a detective names of other young females he would “keep in his company on a regular basis,” according to the report.

Detectives interviewed three more teenage girls, including a 14-year-old who told them she has known Thomas for two years, and he solicited her for sex.

Another victim, 16, said Thomas offered her $300 for sexual favors and she refused.

Detectives said a third victim was out of state and could not be contacted, but her mother told investigators that her daughter knew Thomas and had offered the teenager money for sex.

Thomas’s new charges include five counts of human trafficking of a minor.

He remains in jail on no bond.

Cox Media Group