EXTRA: Polk vice detectives nab 67 in sting

By: Sara Dorsey

Polk County, Florida - It's an age-old problem: women selling sex for quick cash.

Angie, Polk County Sheriff's Office Undercover Detective Posing as Prostitute:

"Basically, I just walk back and forth. I try to make eye contact with the people that are driving by."

In Polk County, undercover detective Lt. Gary James says there are plenty of clients.

Lt. Gary James, Polk County Sheriff's Office

"Prostitution, believe it or not, is of more importance to the public than narcotic sales, because it's in the public's plain view. The type of people are they know drug users, they know they have AIDS."

But Angie is not your average prostitute. She is an undercover sheriff's detective, working to curb the problem.

Angie, Polk County Sheriff's Office Undercover Detective Posing as Prostitute

"Once I started doing this job, I was shocked at the type of people that pull up and solicit me. It's incredible, all ages, all careers, poor people, rich people, you name it."

Detectives say the problem goes beyond just the prostitutes and paying johns. After all, they need somewhere to work and detectives say motel owners, like Ravindra Patel of the Holiday Motel in Lake Wales, are all too happy to illegally provide.

Tammy Coco, assistant manager of the Sunshine Motel, and Asmita and Hemantkumar Masters, owners of Prestler's Motel in Lakeland, were also arrested charged with profiting from the proceeds of prostitution.

Asmita Masters, Owner Prestler's Motel

"She paid me the money. What can I do?"

Lt. James says in the weeks leading up to the operation all knowingly rented rooms to prostitutes, who were actually undercover detectives.

Lt. Gary James, Polk County Sheriff's Office

"She made them fully aware that she was gong to have sex in the room and she only wanted to rent the room for an hour."

This time, the court is sending a message, bond for the motel employees was raised from $1,000 to $25,000 and detectives are trying to seize two of the motels with outstanding mortgages to show they're serious.

Lt. Gary James, Polk County Sheriff's Office

"It sends a big message to everybody that if you're going to break the law and allow prostitutes and drug dealers in your hotel, then the sheriff is going to own it."

With Patel in handcuffs, the vice squad bought two rooms at the motel, one for the girls and paying johns the other for the surveillance. Once a deal is made, detectives storm in for the arrest.

The Sheriff's Office says the week-long operation was a success, netting 50 people for soliciting or offering to commit prostitution, seven for making money from the proceeds of prostitution, and another 10 for battery or drug charges.

Lt. Gary James, Polk County Sheriff's Office

"It's like chipping away at a major piece of concrete. You have to start with the little things and the big things stop happening."

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10 were arrested for battery or drug charges.

Here is a list of all those charged, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office:

1. Diane Merrick, W/F, DOB 12/14/64, no known address, for offering to commit prostitution.
2. Johnny Martin, W/M, DOB 05/29/67, no known address, for deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution.
3. Junetha Mcrae, B/F, DOB 02/07/76, 823 2^nd Street, Winter Haven, for offering to commit prostitution.
4. Lakima Franco, B/F, DOB 03/07/75, 117 2^nd Street, Winter Haven, for offering to commit prostitution and Polk County warrant for Vehicle Theft.
5. Angela Thompson, B/F, DOB 12/28/85, 823 2^nd Street, Winter Haven, for deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution.
6. Myra Easley, W/F, DOB 07/31/62, no known address, for offering to commit prostitution.
7. Leslie Enderton, W/F, DOB 02/12/71, of 1315 Summer Street, Auburndale, for offering to commit prostitution. Enderton had two prior convictions for prostitution.
8. Tashay Summerall, B/F, DOB 06/19/87, no known address, for possession of cocaine and possession of paraphernalia.
9. Dewanda Hunter, W/F, DOB 05/12/64, 3982 Avenue R NW, Winter Haven, for soliciting another to commit lewdness.
10. Tracy White, W/F, DOB 02/12/07, 114 Palm Avenue, Auburndale, for offering to commit prostitution.
11. Melanie Harvey, W/F, DOB 05/04/76, no known address, for offering to commit prostitution.
12. Katrina Payne, W/F, DOB 06/01/78, 247 1^st Avenue N, Lake Wales, for offering to commit prostitution.
13. Marvin Gerome Malloy, B/M, DOB 11/18/48, 36 Roosevelt Avenue, Frostproof, for trafficking cocaine.
14. John Lee Claitt, B/M, DOB 06/18/53, 36 Roosevelt Avenue, Frostproof, for trafficking cocaine.
15. Chyrle Groulx, W/F, DOB 03/24/60, 18931 U.S. Hwy 27 S., Lake Wales, for soliciting another to commit a lewd act.
16. Mamie Johnosn, B/F, DOB 02/16/52, no known address, for battery.
17. Amy McCollough, W/F, DOB 09/04/76, 501 Hartsell Avenue, Lakeland, for offering to commit prostitution.
18. Patricia Schneider, W/F, DOB 06/08/58, 6238 Georgia Avenue, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit lewdness.
19. Sandra Gibbons, W/F, DOB 01/03/65, 720 E. Walnut Street, Lakeland, for battery.
20. Juanita Parker, H/F, DOB 10/13/52, 1130 Palace Place, Lakeland, for offer to commit prostitution.
21. Margaret Gorman, W/F, DOB 11/19/69, 1070 Hwy 92, Auburndale, for offering to commit prostitution.
22. Myra Loyd, W/F, DOB 08/12/57, 840 N Mass Avenue, Lakeland, for battery.
23. Charita Peterson, B/F, DOB 02/02/67, 814 N. Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland, for offering to commit prostitution.
24. Kelvin Washington, B/M, DOB 06/29/64, 104 Kettles Avenue, Lakeland, for deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
25. Lisa Chatfield, W/F, DOB 05/24/67, 611 Stella Avenue, Lakeland, for offering to commit prostitution, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
26. Jerri Chamberlain, W/F, DOB 01/15/70, 1145 Vermont Avenue, Lakeland, for offering to commit prostitution, battery, and disorderly conduct.
27. Ronda Ferrentino, W/F, DOB 09/07/60, 611 NE 5^th Street, Winter Haven, for battery.
28. Hanna Flannery, W/F, DOB 10/17/80, 1127 Crestview Avenue, Lakeland, for offering to commit prostitution, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and providing a false name to an LEO.
29. Brenda Amaral, AKA Brenda McCoomb, W/F, DOB 03/04/64, 6210 Hwy 98, Lakeland, for battery and a warrant for possession of cocaine.
30. Leah Johnson, W/F, DOB 08/04/78, 316 Pope Avenue, Polk City, for offering to commit prostitution and battery
31. Panfilo Trejo Jr., H/M, DOB 01/01/87, 4723 Avon Street, Lake Wales, for soliciting another to commit prostitution and exposure of sex organ.
32. Jose Felix Vazquez, H/M, DOB 06/11/82, 6101 S. Hwy 39, Plant City, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
33. Alvaro Gallegos, H/M, DOB 06/26/86, no known address, for soliciting another to commit prostitution, warrant arrest other jurisdiction (Hardee County for violation of probation).
34. Lucio Matias, H/M, DOB 03/09/79, 2448 Smoke Road, Auburndale, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
35. William Bohn, W/M, DOB 06/22/73, 3336 Falcon Grove, New Braunfels, Texas, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
36. Ravindra Patel, I/M, DOB 10/04/70, 18601 U.S. Hwy 27, Lake Wales, for deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution and renting a room for prostitution (owner of the Holiday Motel at the same address).
37. Tammy Coco, W/F, DOB 05/08/63, 3560 U.S. Hwy 17 Room #11, Winter Haven, for deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution and renting a room for prostitution (assistant manager of the Sunshine Motel at the same address).
38. Asmita Masters, I/F, DOB 11/16/45, 693 Hunters Run Blvd, Lakeland, for deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution and renting a room for prostitution. (owner of the Prestler's Motel located on New Tampa Hwy, Lakeland).
39. Hemantkumar Masters, I/M, 10/22/39, 693 Hunters Run Blvd, Lakeland, for deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution and renting a room for prostitution. (owner of the Prestler's Motel located on New Tampa Hwy, Lakeland).
40. Chekesha Clifford, B/F, DOB 12/19/77, 3228 Avenue Q NW, Winter Haven, for soliciting another to commit lewdness, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
41. Joseph Willis, W/M, DOB 09/04/50, 1409 Hidden Creek, Winter Haven, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
42. Michael Johnson, B/M, DOB 05/29/69, 3990 Avenue Q NW, Winter Haven, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
43. William Thomas, B/M, DOB 04/14/30, 1907 3^rd Street NE, Winter Haven, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
44. Vineshkumar Patel, I/M, DOB 05/23/67, 2000 15^th Court NW Apt. 27, Winter Haven, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
45. Frank Ferraro, W/M, DOB 05/12/40, 701 Parakeet, Winter Haven, for battery.
46. Alfonso Williams, B/M, DOB 08/25/48, 37 Herring Court, Kissimmee, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
47. Benifacio Hernandez, H/M, DOB 01/24/61, 3349 ABC Road, Alturas, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
48. John Blackburn, B/M, DOB 01/07/36, 4232 Shadowwood Drive SW, Winter Haven, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
49. Tabitha Henley, W/F, DOB 11/27/76, 108 2^nd Avenue, Wahneta, for offering to commit prostitution.
50. David Seymour, W/M, DOB 02/16/62, 512 Sharon Hill Court, Winter Haven, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
51. Gale Manning, W/F, DOB 12/17/64, 804 Strain Blvd Apt E, Lakeland, for offering to commit prostitution (2 or more convictions, making it a felony).
52. Carlton Berry, W/M, DOB 10/29/52, 5691 Mount Olive Road, Polk City, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
53. John Henry Williams, B/M, DOB 05/28/40, 1024 West 11^th Street, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
54. Norman Charles Schlaffer, W/M, DOB 09/17/47, 4925 Lewellyn Road, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
55. Oscar Hernandez, H/M, DOB 03/14/75, 1008 Dorothy Street, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
56. Romero Lopez, H/M, DOB 09/04/70, 1928 Oakhill Lane, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
57. Luis Delarosa, H/M, DOB 08/16/80, 1833 Branch Forbes Road Lot 57, Plant City, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
58. Artie Hornbuckle, W/M, DOB 09/05/60, 1509 Hartsell Avenue, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution, exposure of sex organs, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis (under 20 grams), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
59. Vernon Figgs, W/M, DOB 08/25/62, 704 North Nokomis Avenue, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
60. Michael Crowell, W/M, DOB 07/08/42, 7404 Orange Crest Circle, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
61. Charlie Shaw, B/M, DOB 01/25/38, 838 Brunnell Parkway, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution and battery.
62. Eugene Stevens, B/M, DOB 07/18/76, 3624 Swindell Road, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
63. Netzahualcoytl Maldonado, H/M, DOB 04/21/67, 535 Avenue L SE, Winter Haven, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
64. Julio Cibrian, H/M, DOB 10/22/75, Strain Road, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.
65. Alvaro Ortega, H/M, DOB 02/19/83, 820 Central Avenue, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
66. This arrest was a 16-year-old juvenile for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of fraudulent ID card.
67. Raul Hernandez, H/M, DOB 12/07/76, Econo Lodge located at 1224 Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, for soliciting another to commit prostitution.