The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office last Thursday (Nov. 19) arrested five women on misdemeanor prostitution charges in the second such local sting operation in three weeks. None of the women are a local resident: they’d traveled from Jacksonville, Daytona Beach and St. Augustine to conduct what they thought was the usual business transaction.
The sheriff’s office based its investigation on ads posted to various websites “known by law enforcement to be frequently used to solicit prostitution,” according to the investigators. The undercover detectives made arrangements to meet the individuals “at an undisclosed location in Flagler County,” according to the arrest reports, which don’t list the location. Three years ago, the last time the agency conducted a sting operation aimed at prostitution, detectives set up a room at the Days Inn in Palm Coast as the lair. In that instance, the targets were the customers, not the service providers.
On Election Day the agency set up a sting operation at Graham Swamp, site of frequent sheriff’s operations generally focused on men.
The method of last Thursday’s sting followed the same pattern in all five cases.
A 49-year-old Jacksonville woman made contact with a detective by text then met him at the location. She’d been surprised by the limited extent of the service requested (the same activity special prosecutor Ken Starr investigated with tumescent zeal during Bill Clinton’s second term). “That’s it?” the woman asked the detective (or the undercover operative), “insinuating that other sexual acts could be done,” according to the arrest report. Nevertheless, none were requested.
The arranged fee was $380, which included the price of the drive from Jacksonville. Again the woman asked if there was really nothing else desired, and when the answer was no, she placed the money in her bra, at which point the takedown signal was given and one of her Romeos read her her Miranda rights.
A 49-year-old woman exchanged texts with a corporal and a meeting was arranged with an undercover operative. Once they met, at 11:10 p.m., the undercover asked the woman what was off limits and what was permissible. They agreed to the parameters of the encounter and the undercover paid the pre-arranged fee, not disclosed in this case. Once the money was exchanged, the undercover “gave the takedown signal,” and the woman was arrested. The woman during her interview with detectives allegedly admitted that she’d traveled for sex.
A 41-year-old resident of St. Augustine was arrested for driving another woman to the undisclosed location, allegedly aware that it was for a sexual encounter, though the woman denied she knew it was for prostitution. A 36-year-old resident of St. Augustine was also arrested on the charges the other women face–second offense for engaging in prostitution.
One of the women, 31-year-old Tierra Austin of Middleburg, ended up facing more than a misdemeanor prostitution charge. As with the other cases, she’d set up the encounter by text and agreed to a $140 fee for a couple of standard acts, but she allegedly told the arresting deputies that she had some crack cocaine in her purse. Less than a gram was found, along with four crack pipes and other paraphernalia. That resulted in a felony charge of cocaine possession.
Three detectives, a sergeant, a corporal and special agents from homeland security were involved in the sting.
Jim Dangle says
Seriously? Why are we WASTING tax dollars on victimless crimes? We now know where we should make some budget cuts.
Must be bored says
Nothing else in the world to be worried about……
Seriously.... says
So now have to import “criminals” into Flagler County in order to make arrests?
Concerned Citizen says
We really wasted that many assets on an occupation that’s been around for thousands of years? It’s quite laughable that DHS was involved in this low level bust. Must have been a slow day.
Legalize it, regulate it and make it safe. It’s never going to go away. But you can make it safer for the women who feel they need to do it for a living.
Hiring a hooker is a lot cheaper than dating it seems!! LOL
Quick proof read on your article by the way.
It should be None of the women are local residents. Not “None of the women is a local resident” Sorry just finished up Literature class. And they were heavy on the proof reading.
Steve says
From my observations living in FPC thats the tip of the iceberg IMO.
James harrison says
Really, homeland security? Nice to know where our tax money is going. Lol..
Duncan says
I guess its a good thing that Flagler detectives have nothing better to do then to lure women from other counties in for practicing the oldest known profession.
E. Hoffa says
Keeping Palm Coast Safe! The Oldest Trade in the world is still unlawful!
John says
Uh, yea can I get some fries with that “shake” ?
RandomGuy21 says
These sort of stings are pointless and a complete waste of resources. If you run a sting like this and you have to troll for hookers that live 30 minutes to an hour away, then clearly you don’t have a local prostitution problem. Staly just wants to look like Grady Judd (Polk County Sheriff) who loves the media attention with his bloviating sound bites. Is prostitution the sort of offense that leads to other criminal behavior, such as Sex Trafficking, Drug Use and etc? Sure, is this a worthy sting? No, and quite frankly I agree with FlaglerLive in the tone of this article. As a former cop myself, the last thing I would want to do is attack good police work, but seriously there are so many other issues that you can use that vice squad for, this isn’t one of the lifestyle crimes you need to spend resources on. Many agencies are abandoning these stings as all too often you end up where the charges are dropped due to entrapment issues, and privacy issues. Look at the Asian Massage Spa stings in South Florida that caught NE Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, lawyers made a bunch of money, virtually no one was punished for any wrongdoing, nearly all charges end up being dropped.
As for the Graham Swamp sting, I am on the fence about that one. Is there an issue with old geezers trolling parks looking for a BJ? Apparently so! Is this sort of behavior in a public park acceptable? No! Are there reports of any of these men accosting or exposing themselves to uninvolved park patrons? Not that I have heard of, but maybe so. Should these men just get a hotel room so they can engage in these anonymous jerk sessions in private? Well of course! Sting after sting has shown that they use a hook-up app of sorts to set up a time/place to meet. I have heard of them doing this in public restrooms in parks, department stores, hardware stores and etc. Does the risk of getting caught and shamed in the media help to curtail the prevalence? I would think so, but since these stings happen all over the country, clearly it’s not stopping the problem. To address this issue, cops need to think outside of the box (err, no pun intended).
Focus on criminal behavior that is a dredge on society. Work with the local courts and county to fund more helpful mental health and drug rehab programs. I am all for locking up scumbags, though until we as a society can address mental health and the dependency on narcotics that run hand in hand with mental health disorders, jail just becomes a wet band-aid.
In the meantime Staly will continue his “tough guy” approach, which to be honest with that hairline, he is going to have a heard time pulling it off.
Jimbo99 says
And the next phase of Coronavirus reopening 2020.
A waste of time, manpower, and $ says
Really ? Is this where our tax dollars go ? Fighting the worlds oldest profession?
Out of 5 people, only 1 woman had a small amount of drugs on her.
Hmmm says
I never cared for these types of sting operations. While theres so many drug dealers pushing poison and people committing robberies, time and money is spent on luring people who are trying to “get their rocks off” and the ones willing to do it. Yes, i understand all the dangers that come along with it, but I’d rather hear about real drug bust, instead of the 15 or so junkies they net in a sting. You’re supposed net little fish to get to the big fish, but the big fish are still swimming around. While you set people up for a blow job.
FlaglerLive says
CC, we had that brief debate at the edit desk on that one–for once it wasn’t a proof-reading issue–and the pedant of Gothic English won. But we’re reversing this victimless crime of grammar to comply with your lit class: are reads more naturally, and heaven knows on a story like this we wouldn’t want to get into a pickle “on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.”
Steve Vanne says
What a waste of man power and money..
Concerned Citizen says
LOL good enough for me.
Gothic English for the win :)
Concerned Citizen says
RandomGuy21
You and I think a lot alike. I worked 6 years with my local SO after getting out of the Airforce before making the change to Fire Rescue and retiring. I always had a hard time busting people for certain things. I used Officer Discretion as much as possible. And cut breaks when I could. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t stay in Law Enforcement long. Now it seems some of them really let that badge go to their head. And it’s embarrassing
Tim John says
What a complete waste of tax dollars in my honest opinion. Half the countries in the world have legalized prostitution and I’m pretty sure if you look at the numbers there would be a drop in rape/sexual assaults. Let’s be honest the only difference between going on a date and getting a prostitute is you’re paying the women directly for what you’d be spending on dinner and a movie…heck I’d say getting a prostitute would be cheaper AND you’re guaranteed to get lucky : )
Dennis C Rathsam says
Really…Youve got nothing to do???? Why are you bring whores, & ladies of the evening to Palm Coast? Dont we have enough problems here, without adding to it? Come on Sheriff, what are you trying to prove? Its not like we have street walkers down town, we dont even have a downtown. Spend our tax monies more wisely, theres plenty of other crimes out & about . How about dealing with it
Joe says
Arrest some dudes for sex crimes, arrest some women for sex crimes. There is your equality
Ralph says
So silly. Completely legal in Germany, Amsterdam and many other places in the world.
Ramone says
Just came back from Key West and the local police were too busy enforcing masks on public sidewalks to worry about an occasional BJ.
Sam says
Waste of tax payers money, this is exactly why we need to defund the police. These cops would have been better served handing out good to the homeless. One of the oldest professions ever and it is still illegal!? Legalize prostitution!
Katrina Friel says
I understand that people might considered with the “waste” of resources but if even ONE of those women were a victim of sex trafficking, it is well worth the money and the time.
Those men engaging in solicitation wives and children are victims.
Frank says
So this is to make the sheriff department look good. I think NOT. Anytime we have to trick people into breaking the law is not a good time in America or in the world.
Shame on the Flagler Sheriff Department!
R. S. says
The fact that it is the oldest trade in the world should tell you something, my friend.
mark101 says
Some states have made Weed legal and Oregon the first state to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of street drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine but still have prostitution illegal. Go figure, a profession like one poster noted has been around ” pretty much forever”. Make it legal, get these people in some health program, health cards and stop wasting taxpayers money. Hell its going to happen regardless, has been for “Sumerian records dating back to ca. 2400 BCE are the earliest recorded mention of prostitution as an occupation”.
Paul says
Good cover up excuse
C’mon man! says
Here’s a tip for the guys. Hide your wallet. When your pants are around your ankles they can easily take your wallet while your in your “finishing up.”
I heard this from a friend of course.
Rich says
Please Rick I voted for you to keep me safe from gangs, drug dealers, Robberies and burglaries,not from women who need to feed them self’s an families. Pls get let’s get Our priorities straight and not waste budgeted taxpayers money On chasing women. Please they are not a Threat with all due respect.
Gina says
That more than likely NOT the case. What’s sad about this is they really should be go uh ng after the” John Does”. So at the end even if they “save” 1 female, she is thrown in jail and no has a record. I wish the story went on like, 5 Prostitutes were picked up and taken to Women Recovery Home . Throwing them in jail and spending more tax dollars solves ABSOLUTELY Nothing!
Sarah says
So it took 6 offices to arrest 5 Prostitutes. If you look at each of these officers salaries Plus the cost of the Hotel Room and now the additional cost to the taxpayers for 5 women thrown in jail SIMPLY does not justify their MOTIVES. For those who say “keeping the area safe” NOBODY is safe anywhere. There will always be crime in every city. Picking on vulnerable women is not a good luck. Why not go after the men paying these women. Its unfortunately a very sad BROKEN system and a COMPLETE waste of taxpayer dollars in order to make themselves “Look like Heros” SHAME ON YOU GUYS!!!! HORRIBLE STORY These women need help but now these 6 officers are going to make these women’s lives a living neverending nightmare
Pogo says
@The human condition
Here’s a crime fighting tip for ag moody, the sheriff, and the rest of the posse; There’s a very sketchy character who recently moved to Floriduh from NY, NY. He cheats on his wife, and has been known to pay the equivalent of 4 years’ wages – at $15 per hour – as hush money to cover up a single spank and yank. BTW, he’s hooked on tic tac candy.
For it is the doom of men that they forget.
https://apnews.com/article/07f29c71cd594b888b2e67fa0de8901e
“Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.”
― Mark Twain
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Boy – aren’t we lucky! We sure have a Sheriff of the century…. No money for masks that even fit some of the officers properly because they are so cheaply made ( my opinion) .. and asks a citizen to pay for masks to hand out but hey lots of bucks to lock up women, instead of trying to get them help.. and of course he doesn’t want pot legalized – heavens no….. No fun left if that happened.. How do you all see it?
Danm50 says
It is clear, this is obvious Entrapment. I guess with the prosecutor in house and in cahoots! It’s a done deal to ruin some more lives. You can’t enforce morality. I agree keeping it out of our Parks. Get em Shire of the Rife. And sans the mask standing behind Trump.