Detectives Arrest 78 in Undercover Prostitution Sting

A retired American Airlines pilot, a microbiologist, a medical technician and an award-winning Porn Star are among the 78 people arrested in an undercover prostitution sting, Polk County deputies said.

The four-day sting which spanned January 10 to January 13, 2013, targeted online e-commerce sites related to men and women who were advertising to commit prostitution and solicit for prostitution.

Investigators said, the charges ranged from solicitation of prostitution in which the suspects either posted online ads, or answered online ads, to posssession of illegal drugs, aiding and abetting, escape, traffic offenses, battery on a law enforcement officer, among others.

Investigators also said, many of those who were arrested have past offenses, a number of which included felony arrest histories with one suspect having 38 total arrests in the central Florida area.

One suspect was a wanted sexual predator with a warrant for Failure to Register, another wanted for grand theft. And many were charged with drug possession.

There were 21 suspects who told detectives they were unemployed and 14 suspects who told deputies they were receiving government assistance.

And there was Jeremiah Hintz who wanted to go into law enforcement. Hintz was attending South Florida Community College and due to graduate Wednesday, January 16, 2013, from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

Also arrested were Dalavone Keobandith who claimed to be an award-winning Porn Star, and Claude Riley III, a transsexual suspect who said he works for MAC Cosmetics.

“Our message is clear – Prostitution is illegal and those who commit or who derive proceeds from this crime in Polk County can expect to go to jail,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.