BUNNELL, Fla. – Twelve men were arrested for soliciting prostitution during a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office undercover operation prompted by complaints about sex workers advertising their services in the county.
The sting website utilized an ad placed on Backpage.com, which is well-known by law enforcement as a place used to solicit prostitution. Flagler County's undercover deputies received over 100 phone calls from both men and women and numerous text messages displaying genitalia.
Recommended Videos
"After posting the ad on Backpage, our undercover officer’s phone was ringing off the hook,” Sheriff
Rick Staly said. “This shows us that the desire for prostitutes is present in Flagler County.
One of the 12 defendants, Jeffrey Nowden Jr., arrived at the location with approximately 4.2 grams of crack cocaine and 1.5 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. He offered the undercover deputy crack cocaine in exchange sexual services. Nowden was arrested for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of heroin, soliciting prostitution, violation of probation and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Attempts were made to also arrest prostitutes as part of Operation Red Light to Green Roof, but no women showed up to meet the undercover John.
An ad placed on Backpage received over 100 phone calls from both men and women and numerous text messages, some displaying genitalia.
“The good news for Flagler County is that it does not appear we have prostitutes in our community. The bad news is that there are many people from Flagler County trying to solicit prostitution,” Sheriff Staly said.
Prostitution is often described as a victimless crime since it appears the two parties are consensual, but authorities say the women are rarely in control of the funds they receive, human trafficking plays a large role, and these encounters are often laced with drug activity.
Many times the “Johns” are victims of robbery or the women end up being attacked, according to the Sheriff's Office.