PALMETTO, Florida- — The call came in as a sexual battery on a minor, but Palmetto police said it could be connected to a much more complex crime.
Sergeant Scott Tyler said an internet prostitution ring was operating out of unit 602 at Riviera Dunes in Palmetto.
“Basically they would be photographed, their photos would be placed on line and customers would call them,” Tyler said.
He said Robert Johnson would administer the entire process. Johnson’s in jail for the sexual battery charges, with a $2 million bond.
“The gentleman would screen the calls, be there with the girls and then he would drive the girl to the date and pick the girl up,” Tyler said. “He would act as security and the girls would give him all the money.”
Residents in the luxury high rise had no idea what was happening next door.
“People in the neighborhood had no idea,” Howard and Linda Howe said. “People are desperate for money.”
Tyler said at least seven girls were involved with the alleged Internet prostitution operation. He said most of them were from the Bay area.
Tyler will turn over the seized computers to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. That agency will take apart the computers and that could open the possibility of more arrests.
Tyler said the Internet prostitution ring was also operating out of another home in Manatee County. He’s trying to contact the other girls on the web site, but they had stage names. Tyler plans to hand over his investigation to the state attorney’s office. He anticipates more charges will be filed.