This page describes exploitation and abuse. Need to report something? How to report →
What happened
Authorities say this is the first case in the area, perhaps in the state, where the victims are local residents, recruited and held hostage. The first discovered victim was raped, assaulted, threatened with bodily harm or death if she fled and was forced to work as a prostitute. She was also forced to dance at the Vegas Showgirls nightclub in St. Petersburg. Officials say there are more victims being discovered. and that they are aware of drugs being involved. They brought women to the $600,000 home in Treasure Island with promises of prosperity, deputies say, then took their phones and identification and began a cycle of sexual and mental torture and mind control until the girls felt like they had nowhere else to go. They brought the women to strip clubs, where they were forced to dance and sell themselves while trailed by "handlers." The girls were also forced to recruit other girls. Sources: http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article999813.ece http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article1000126.ece
Response and intervention
all are being charged with human trafficking and Cornelous is also being charged with sexual battery. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Clearwater Police, the Clearwater Area Human Trafficking Task Force and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are all working together on the case.