LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Nearly 30 people were arrested after an investigation revealed a human trafficking network in Lake County, the sheriff’s office says.
The three-day human trafficking operation — named “Operation Forced Labor” — took place Feb. 6 - Feb. 8 at an undisclosed location in central Lake County, focusing on identifying, safely recovering, and stabilizing victims of human trafficking, according to the sheriff’s office.
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The operation involved detectives from the Clermont, Eustis, Leesburg, and Mount Dora police departments, along with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security. The undercover detectives used known prostitution websites to solicit individuals involved in prostitution and those seeking such services, the sheriff’s office says.
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During the operation, 33 individuals traveled to meet undercover detectives with the intent of engaging in criminal activities. Of these, 29 were arrested for various prostitution and drug-related offenses, according to the sheriff’s office.
Four individuals were identified as victims of human trafficking and were not charged. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Homeland Security, provided resources to safely relocate and stabilize the victims.
The Florida Sheriff’s Association Anti-Human Trafficking Committee and the Emergency Assistance & Care fund offered support to cover necessary expenses for the victims’ recovery, including food, clothing, temporary lodging, and transportation, a news release states
Detectives successfully arrested one suspect responsible for trafficking one of the victims, the sheriff’s office said. Further arrests related to the remaining three victims are pending as investigations continue.
“This was a collaborative effort. Our detectives and other law enforcement partners worked very hard together to identify and rescue these victims of human trafficking and connect them to valuable resources that are available to assist them, said Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell. “We want these victims to know there is a way out.”
Below is the list of those arrested in the operation and the charges:
- Darion Ter’ron Smith, 25: Faces charges of human trafficking, methamphetamine trafficking, solicitation of prostitution, possession of a firearm by a felon. Controlled victim’s social media. On probation for grand theft auto.
- Billie Jean White, 37: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution. Active warrants in Ohio for drug trafficking, aggravated arson, assault. Violation of probation warrant from U.S. Marshals.
- Heather Dawn Tuebner, 50: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution. Active warrant in St. Petersburg for fentanyl and methamphetamine possession. Violent felony offender.
- Zachary Dainel Shuler, 29: Faces charges of solicitation of prostitution, methamphetamine possession, possession of paraphernalia.
- Gaberiel Farquer, 27: Faces charges of solicitation of prostitution, possession of paraphernalia.
- Brittany Nicole Griffs, 24: Faces charges of solicitation of prostitution, methamphetamine possession, possession of paraphernalia.
- Barbara Barden, 58: Faces charges of solicitation of prostitution, possession of crack cocaine and paraphernalia.
- Shakuree Leoshee Rosette Peters, 26: Faces charge of felony prostitution due to prior convictions.
- Wesley Hall, 49: Faces charge of transporting for prostitution. Active warrant in Marion County for traffic offense.
- Catherine Melissa Silva, 37: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution. Active warrant in Marion County for fraud.
- Shawnee Michaela Rochester, 28: Faces charges of solicitation of prostitution, possession and sale of cocaine. Former military and corrections officer.
- Elizabeth Taylor, 31: Faces charges of solicitation of prostitution, possession of controlled substance (Alprazolam).
- Savannah Lynn Holt, 30: Faces charges of solicitation of prostitution, possession of paraphernalia.
- Kristina Angione, 32: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Karyn Osman, 30: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Jessica Amber Low, 44: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Antoinette Yonick Pierre, 35: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Christal Nicole Vancoonis, 42: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Ashley Nicole Cox, 41: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Julius Rumph, 41: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Dayami Gonzalez Perez, 29: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Freda Lashea Harris, 51: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Thomas Edgar Holstein, 41): Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Justin Michael Meyers, 47: Faces charge of solicitation for prostitution.
- Kandice Ray’ona Wilkins, 42: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Farrah Egan Johnson, Jr., 34: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Karen Maria Robinson, 37: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Davontrae T. Singleton, 23: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
- Jazmyne Lexy Bennett Darling, 27: Faces charge of solicitation of prostitution.
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