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UCF trustee among those detained in prostitution sting at Seminole parks

Charges dropped against Harold Mills, Leroy Green

Harold Mills, 53 (Seminole County Jail)

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla.UPDATE: July 21.

Charges have since been dropped against Leroy Green, a former employee of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office who now seeks to clear his name and hold Sheriff Dennis Lemma accountable after his arrest.

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UPDATE: June 5.

Charges have been dropped against Harold Mills, one of the three men arrested in a Seminole County prostitution sting last month. Below are statements from Mills, a former UCF trustee, and from his attorney, Mark NeJame.

“I’d like to thank my entire team led by Mark NeJame –they are the epitome of excellence. I’d also like to thank the Seminole County State Attorney’s Office for their integrity and professionalism throughout. Additionally, I’d like to acknowledge the Sheriff’s Office for the civility they extended to me.

“I cannot express enough how much the outpouring of support and words of encouragement from our community have meant to me and my family over the last few weeks. Your friendships are invaluable, and I will find the opportunity to thank you personally.

“There are many lessons learned throughout this experience. Not the least of which, is that no matter what your belief, like Jesus himself, we can all learn to extend more grace, and mercy and kindness to each other as neighbors.

“My family has experienced significant trauma in recent years and now that this process is behind us, my request is that we be provided the privacy, time, and space to pursue our path to healing.”

Harold Mills

“From the onset, I stated that initial reports are often inaccurate and wrong.

“Not guilty papers were filed, our factual and legal positions were listened to, and no charges brought.

We’re thankful to the State Attorney’s office for its competent and proficient handling of this matter. Now Harold can move forward with his family, philanthropy, businesses, and life and be considered exonerated."

Mark NeJame, attorney

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In several arrest reports, deputies said they performed an undercover operation at two Seminole County parks on Thursday: Liberty Park in Lake Mary and Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs.

“This operation was about repeated issues regarding people exposing their sexual organs and conducting lewd and indecent acts at the park,” one report reads.

Using a web-based “hook-up application,” undercover agents messaged suspects who agreed to show up to the parks for sexual favors, the reports state.

“We will let the documents speak for themselves,” an SCSO spokesperson told News 6.

The suspects arrested during this operation were as follows:

  • Harold Mills, 53 — Arrested at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs
  • Jairo Areis, 39 — Arrested at Liberty Park in Lake Mary
  • Leroy Green, 35 — Arrested at Liberty Park in Lake Mary
Jairo Areis, 39 (Seminole County Jail)

Mills faced charges of indecent exposure and agreeing to secure a prostitute. He was held on a $1,250 bond.

Areis faced charges of exposure of sexual organs and soliciting lewdness. He was held on a $1,500 bond. News 6 is currently working to verify whether Areis still faces charges in the sting.

Green faced charges of exposure of sexual organs and soliciting prostitution. He was held on a $1,500 bond.

News 6 reached out to UCF for a statement and had not heard back when this report was originally published.


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Clarification:

This story has been amended with new information. Additionally, the original report has been altered to avoid sharing contradictions and potentially false statements in light of our continued coverage on the matter.