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8 facing prostitution charges after Clearwater undercover operations

Clearwater police were busy Friday night, making eight prostitution-related arrests during undercover operations.
Credit: napatcha
concept human trafficking,hand girl in shackle

Clearwater police were busy Friday night, making eight prostitution-related arrests during undercover operations.

Five people are facing charges of prostitution, and three are facing charges of solicitation, according to affidavits.

Arrested were:

  • Mary Ruth Cook, 37, a transient, charged with prostitution
  • Karly Diane Ruth, 20, who is homeless, charged with prostitution. Police said after she was arrested, she said, "Man, this is the first time I've done this and I get arrested."
  • John Wayne Gieder, 29, of Clearwater, charged with prostitution. Police said after he was arrested he told them, "I was being stupid."
  • Katie Cassandra Catron, 29, who is homeless, charged with prostitution. After she was taken into custody, she said she was "playin'" and didn't intend to follow through with the transaction, police said.
  • Heather Jeanne Burress, 28, who is homeless, charged with prostitution.
  • Deddrick Maurice Dowell, 43, of Clearwater, charged with soliciting for prostitution
  • Richard Fleet Rice, 55, of Dunedin, charged with soliciting for prostitution
  • Qusim A. Khan, 49, who is homeless, charged with soliciting for prostitution

In addition, police said when Gieder was being taken into custody, he asked, "Am I being arrested because I was driving?" It turns out his driver's license was suspended in February after he failed to pay a traffic penalty. A charge of driving while license was suspended/revoked was added.

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