A two-year long investigation into a Human Trafficking case originating in Hernando County has resulted in the arrest of nine individuals statewide.
The arrests were conducted Thursday by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) agents with assistance from multiple local law enforcement agencies.
"Every now and then those cases come across your desk that are just exceptionally egregious and I would have to say this is one of those ones that boggles your mind," said Mark Brutnell, of FDLE.
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The Human Trafficking charges were the result of an investigation into an anonymous tip regarding individuals responding to a specific online ad posted on various internet sites offering sex for money.
Investigators were able to identify an adult individual, serving in a parental role, who was offering the services of a female juvenile in her mid-teens to anyone willing to pay for sex. The identity of the adult is not being released to protect the identity of the victim.
"She should’ve been doing things like learning to drive, maybe attending school dances or thinking about going to college. But instead, she was forced into committing prostitution," said Al Nienhuis, Hernando County Sheriff.
The sexual encounters occurred in Hernando County, as well as various other locations across the state. The adult individual at times would transport the teen to other counties for paid sexual encounters, some lasting overnight.
Sheriff Nienhuis says this is still an open investigation and likely the tip of the iceberg of those involved. The teen is currently living in a Human Trafficking Shelter well outside of this area.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody says the best way to find trafficking victims is for people report anything that doesn't seem right to law enforcement.
"The best way to stop it and the best way to go after the people doing this is for people like you in the community to remain alert and away and know the signs," said Moody.
Those arrest include:
- Luigi Barile W/M 04-10-1981 - Spring Hill - Arrested in Hernando County; Owner of Chefs of Napoli
- Matthew Christopher Doyle W/M DOB/03-11-1980 - Spring Hill - Arrested Hernando County; Employed full-time by East Lake Fire Rescue as a Lieutenant; Employed part-time by Bayfront Health Brooksville as a Registered Nurse
- Joseph Andrew Easton W/M DOB/10-12-1994 - Inverness - Arrested in Citrus County
- Bryan Joseph Giguire W/M DOB/03-03-1973 - Homosassa - Arrested in Citrus County; Power DMS - Southeast Florida Regional Sales Manager
- James William Hancock W/M DOB/03-22-1952 - Delray Beach - Arrested in Palm Beach County
- Shawn Christopher Henson W/M DOB/03-13-1980 - Newberry - Arrested in Gilchrist County
- Latchman Kaladeen B/M DOB/04-12-1970 - Wesley Chapel - Arrested in Pasco County; Active ICE Detainer
- Lawrence Edward Kemble W/M DOB/06-10-1948 - Ocala - Arrested in Marion County; Retired Postal Inspector (2003) - Sussex County, New Jersey
- Jason Michael Raulerson W/M DOB/02-10-1973 - High Springs - Arrested in Alachua County
All nine men arrested are charged as follows:
- Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking - $500,000 bond
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device - $50,000 bond
- Lewd and Lascivious Battery - $100,000 bond.
- Human Trafficking - No bond
- Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking - $500,000 bond
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device - $50,000 bond
- Lewd and Lascivious Battery - $100,000 bond.
An unidentified person who was acting as the teen's guardian was also arrested and charged.
"We have been informed that Matthew Doyle, a paramedic and lieutenant who has worked for ELFR since 2005, was arrested and charged with two counts of kidnapping, one count of public order crimes, and one count of lewd and lascivious behavior. Lt. Doyle has been suspended without pay, pending the outcome of the case. This is a deeply troubling report. We are fully cooperating with authorities and will assist the investigation in any way we can." — East Lake Fire Rescue
