Sex Crimes

Published on: January 15, 2013

Bartow Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer :: Polk County Prostitution Sting Nets 78 Arrests

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Bartow, FL – A three-day undercover operation targeting online prostitution ads has resulted in dozens of people being arrested.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office conducted the operation between January 10 and January 13. At the end of the sting, a total of 78 people were arrested, including a porn star and a police recruit.

Of those arrested, 31 have criminal histories, including nine registered felons. Deputies claim that one of those felons has been previously arrested 38 times in the Tampa Bay area.

According to detectives, those arrested for solicitation of prostitution either posted or responded to online advertisements offering sex. Many of those arrested face additional charges, including possession of drugs, aiding and abetting, escape, traffic offenses, battery on a law enforcement officer, violation of probation and failure to register as a sex offender.

In recent years, law enforcement agents throughout the state of Florida have increased their enforcement of solicitation for prostitution by conducting sting operations using police decoys. In fact, numerous time and resources are poured into undercover prostitution stings in hopes of making a considerable amount of arrests.
The Internet has only helped undercover detectives catch unsuspecting men and women engaging in or soliciting prostitution.

If you were arrested for prostitution anywhere in Florida, in order to receive the best possible outcome for your situation you must consult with a sex crimes defense lawyer immediately. The consequences attached to a prostitution offense can be harsh, even if this is your first arrest. A first-time conviction can result in up to 60 days in county jail. A second conviction can land you in jail for up to one year. A third or subsequent conviction for prostitution can be classified as a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. Along with time behind bars, a prostitution conviction can tarnish your good name within the community, wreck your personal relationships and limit future career options.

A Polk County Criminal Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton can look into your arrest and make sure police followed proper protocols. In these types of cases, there is always the possibility that you were the victim of police misconduct or entrapment, which can be used as a defense against the charges against you. We will advise you of your legal rights and make sure you fully understand the options available to you. We will exhaust every effort available to make sure you receive a successful outcome.

Published on: November 20, 2012

Polk County Criminal Defense Attorney :: Massachusetts Junior Hockey League Coach Arrested in Polk Internet Sex Sting

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Polk County authorities have arrested a junior hockey league coach from Massachusetts on charges that he used a solicited what he thought was a 16-year-old boy online.

The man was arrested in his home Wednesday night in Acushnet, Mass., and booked into a local jail.

Polk County detectives began investigating the man earlier this year after the mother of a 16-year-old boy told police the man allegedly began soliciting her son via Facebook.

Detectives obtained permission from the boy’s mother to pose as the teen and continue to talk to the man.

The Sheriff’s Office claims that the man sent nude pictures of himself to the boy and vividly described what he wanted to do sexually with him.

The man is also accused of soliciting the teen to perform sex acts.

He is charged with 10 counts of using a computer to seduce a child and will eventually be brought to Polk County.

Published on: November 14, 2012

Homosassa Criminal Defense Attorney :: Registered Sex Offender Faces New Sex Charges against Citrus County Youth

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Homosassa, FL – A registered sex offender has been arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct with an 11-year-old girl.

The 36-year-old, who is listed as homeless, apparently traveled to a hotel in the county with the girl and another adult female on Oct. 27 where the trio stayed overnight.

When the girl arrived home the next day she told her family that the adult female left the room for around two hours, leaving her alone with the man. She claims the man asked her sexually explicit questions and tried to touch her breasts.

The girl apparently told the Sheriff’s Office’s Child Protection team that the man asked to show her his genitals and asked to see hers. He allegedly asked if he could have sex with her.

The girl claims the man wrapped himself around her as she lay on one of the beds in the room and began moving. She apparently got up and went to the restroom and noticed her soda tasted odd when she returned. Police were informed that the man had been drinking shots of alcohol in the hotel.

The girl told police that the man told her not to tell anyone what happened.

According to reports, the man is a registered sex offender in Hernando County, who has not been checked on in person since Oct. 25 in that county.

The man was apparently working at a Homosassa business, and was arrested there Nov. 2. He allegedly told police that the girl tried to solicit him for sexual activity.

He was taken to Citrus County jail with bail set at $27,000. He was charged with failing to report his change of address within 48 hours, as required by state law, lewd and lascivious conduct with someone younger than 16 and lewd and lascivious molestation of a person younger than 16.

Failure to register as a sexual offender or predator can result in severe consequences. The state of Florida takes these charges quite seriously, and an individual charged with failing to register can be charged with a third-degree felony, or in some cases a second-degree felony. Sexual offenders and sexual predators must comply with multiple different forms of registration. The following is a list of the registration requirements that sexual offenders and sexual predators must follow:

• Registration within 48 of being released from custody
• Registration within 48 hours of relocating to a different address
• Registration of Address of Residence
• Registration with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• Registration of Employment or Enrollment at an Institution of Higher Learning

Published on: March 13, 2012

Tampa – Orlando Prostitution Sting Lawyers :: Polk County Prostitution Sting Targeting Online Ads Nets 19 Arrests

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Whittel & Melton, LLC 1-866-608-5LAW (5529) – Florida Sex Crime Attorneys

Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 19 people in an undercover prostitution bust targeting online advertisements.

Undercover officials conducted the two-day sting focusing on online ads for prostitution last Thursday and Friday.

According to police, both male and female detectives posted and answered ads for sex on Backpage.com. The operation ended in the arrest of 19 people for crimes ranging from soliciting prostitution to narcotics violations.

Six of the suspects allegedly admitted to being married.

A spokesman for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that online escort services promoting prostitution will continue to be targeted and those who commit or derive proceeds from prostitution will be arrested.

In the past, most prostitution stings took place on the streets. With the advent of the Internet and web sites that allow individuals to advertise services, including sex, authorities have a tremendous amount of political and social pressures placed on them to curb illegal behavior, which means keeping up with today’s technology. Today, police agencies may place online advertisements equipped with a photo of a male or female offering sexual services in an effort to crack down on solicitation. In fact, law enforcement agencies often invest substantial resources into these vice squad operations.

It is not uncommon for individuals arrested in a police prostitution sting to feel entrapped. Unfortunately, an undercover sting does not always translate to police entrapment. Engaging in any kind of negotiations, especially communications over price can be interpreted by authorities as an act of solicitation. However, this does not mean that you have no viable defense available to you. The Florida Sex Crimes Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can discuss potential defense strategies with you and protect you in court.

It is important to note that the criminal justice system is a public system. Our attorneys understand that your privacy is important and will act as discreetly as possible in all matters pertaining to your case. We can address your specific needs and concerns and help you achieve the best possible outcome for your situation. In order to protect your best interests, it is vital to contact the Florida Sex Crimes Lawyers at Whittel & Melton right away.

Published on: June 6, 2011

Lakeland, Florida Pornography Defense Attorney :: Lake Wales Couple Arrested for Promoting and Distributing Porn from Their Home

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Lake Wales couple after a three month investigation was concluded Friday that allegedly confirmed the pair was filming and distributing porn from their home. A Polk County judge deemed the pornographic videos as obscene material under Florida law.

The couple was charged with a slew of misdemeanors including, six counts each of wholesale promotion of obscene material, distribution of obscene material ad selling obscene material. The woman was charged with felony wholesale promotion of obscene material.

The investigation began after investigators allegedly received tips the 55-year-old woman was making and distributing porn from her home. The investigator supposedly paid the membership fee of $19.95 to gain access to the woman’s web site where videos of her having sex with women and men were available to view. Some of the woman’s clothing worn in the films was available to purchase on the site as well.

A police report indicates that the woman posted on Twitter about some of her sexual escapades.
The woman’s 58-year-old husband allegedly told police he filmed the videos and over the past four months had made around $2,800.

The woman was set to be released from the Polk County Jail Saturday night after posting $7,500 bond. Her husband remained in jail.

Obscenity, under Florida law, refers to uninhibited sexual activity that is visible to the public, accessible and offensive in nature. Art generally does not fall under the obscene category unless it can be classified as pornography. To prove obscenity, three areas must be proved; the work in question is explicitly sexual, the average person would find the material in question offensive using community standards and the material contains no scientific, literary or artistic value other than explicit sexual content.

Obscenity charges are usually misdemeanors, but can be charged as a felony in some cases especially when the material displays a minor or is provided to a child. Judges will typically impose hefty fines or order the individual charged with counseling, but jail time, community service and property forfeiture can also be consequences of an obscenity charge.

Published on: April 4, 2011

Hudson, Florida Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Pasco County Teenager Charged with Rape at Fivay High School

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 17-year-old male was arrested Wednesday by Pasco County police for involuntary sexual battery on a teenage girl. The alleged rape occurred at Fivay High School in Hudson, Florida.

The girl told police that the teenage male sent her a text in November to meet him near a boy’s restroom in the high school. The girl said the male pulled her into a boy’s bathroom stall and raped her.

According to BayNews9, the teenager denied any sexual contact with the girl and provided saliva samples for DNA testing to investigators. Testing revealed that his DNA was on the pants the girl was wearing the day of the alleged rape.

The teenager later told police that he lied about not having sexual relations with the girl, but said he did not have sex with her in the alleged time or place of the reported incident.

The teen’s name has not been released as he is not being tried as an adult.

Florida has very strict penalties for teens convicted of sex offenses. Many times sexual offenses allegedly committed by a juvenile are denied bond because of the serious nature the juvenile court system upholds. Juvenile cases are handled quite differently than adult criminal cases; the biggest difference being that juveniles are not given due process. Juvenile cases are heard by a judge who determines the punishments without a jury.

The laws in Florida regarding sex crimes vary by the degree of the crime committed. Penalties for a misdemeanor sex crime could entail jail time of less than a year or probation, a fine, and community service. Penalties for a felony offense, such as sexual battery, can include a lengthy prison term and lifetime registration as a sex offender. The most serious penalty for committing a sex crime as a juvenile is the possibility of registering as a sex offender for life. Any Juvenile 14 years of age or older found guilty of committing, attempting, soliciting or conspiring to commit sexual battery, lewd and lascivious battery and lewd and lascivious molestation are required to register within the Florida database.

Published on: March 22, 2011

Sumter County, Florida Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers :: 22 Suspects Arrested in Bushnell, FL Undercover Internet Craigslist Sex Sting

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Sumter County Sherriff’s Office has arrested 22 men and women across the state of Florida during an undercover internet sex sting where detectives posed as children online.

A Sherriff’s Office spokesman said the undercover operation was similar to the popular series “To Catch A Predator” on Dateline NBC.

Investigators said suspects showed up at meeting locations they thought were with minors carrying condoms in tow. The condoms and other evidence are on exhibit today at the Sheriff’s Office headquarters. Suspects have been identified as residents of Tampa, Kissimmee, Ocala and elsewhere.

More details of the takedowns will be released by the Sumter County Sherriff’s Office later today.

While the details of specific charges are unknown as of yet, many times these undercover sex stings that involve solicitation of a minor, travelling to meet a minor for sexual purposes and the possession and/or distribution of child pornography. Child pornography can play a factor in these stings when local law enforcement use pornographic material featuring a minor as a way to entice individuals to the location of the undercover sting. Law enforcement usually establishes an online presence where communication takes place in a private or public conversation, such as a chatroom, where pictures are often exchanged and agreements for sexual encounters are arranged.

The Florida Attorney General’s Office has increased its efforts to investigate sexual solicitation of minors, making it a top priority to protect children from adult threats via the Internet. Florida ranks fourth in the country for child pornography on the Internet. Due to this high rank, the Attorney General’s Office created the Child Predator Cybercrime Unit to shield minors and explore cases involving child pornography and sexual solicitation and exploitation of minors in Florida. Florida also endorsed the Cybercrimes Against Children Act in 2007 which amplified criminal punishments for behavior such as possession of child pornography and soliciting children over the Internet.

Published on: January 31, 2011

Inverness, FL Criminal Lawyer :: Registered Sex Offender Charged with Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of Retarded Girl

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 45-year-old man was arrested and charged with molesting a 25-year-old mildly retarded girl from Crystal River on Monday by the Citrus County Sherriff’s Office.

According to the arrest report, the Citrus County man is a registered sex offender.

The arrest report shares that the girl’s brother caught the man on top of his sister with his pants down, while she was fully clothed. The girl verified the story when her mother questioned her.

The girl told the Citrus County Sherriff’s Office that this had happened three or four other times over the past few years.

After being read his rights, during questioning the man admitted what happened and that he knew the girl was mildly retarded. He confirmed that the incident had happened three times throughout the past couple years.

The man was arrested and transported to county jail on the charge of lewd and lascivious molestation. No bond was set.

The words lewd and lascivious both have the same meaning which is a lustful, wicked or sensual intent of the person committing a certain act. In this case the girl can be referred to as a “disabled adult,” which describes any person over the age of 18 that suffers from a physical or mental incapacitation due to a developmental disability. The facts that the girl is disabled, a sexual act occurred and that the man knew she was disabled are the three elements the State will have to prove to convict the man of a sex crime.

Published on: October 23, 2010

Citrus County, Florida Internet Sex Sting Operation Results in 22 Arrests

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Inverness, Florida – The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office has deemed last week’s sex crime sting to be a success, as it resulted the arrest of some 22 individuals for alleged Internet Sex Crimes. The operation, which allegedly started with an online Craigslist advertisement featuring “a young mother who was seeking subjects to teach her teenage daughter how to please a man and share in intimate family fun”.

The Florida Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have already begun defending several of these men in Circuit Court in Citrus County.

These types of sting operations have become popular with local law enforcement since the inception of the Dateline NBC’s “To Catch a Predator” series which shot some of its episodes in Fort Myers, Florida. In that operation, 24 men were arrested in a three day period.

The types of crimes usually charged in these cases involve using the internet to solicit or secure sex with a minor, aka Internet Solicitation, or traveling to meet a minor for sex. Some of the cases may also involve the possession of or distribution of child pornography– as many times, law enforcement will engage in online conversations, or chat in online chatrooms, posing as a minor. During these chats, law enforcement may exchange pornographic material to lure an individual to the physical location of the sting operation.

In these recent cases, the State will undoubtedly be seeking convictions under Florida’s Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act. As a part of the sting operation, Citrus County authorities also seized one handgun, 26 cell phones, 19 personal computers, four cameras and countless motor vehicles. It is unclear at this point how many of these seizures will stick in court.

Published on: August 20, 2010

Brooksville, Florida Judge Hand Out 75 years State Prison for 125 Internet Images of Child Pornography

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The retiring senior Hernando County Circuit Court Judge sentenced a man this week on 5 counts of possession of Child Pornography to 75 years. He was facing a minimum 40 years according to reports. It is suggested by his criminal trial attorney that he may appeal this sentence.

The 75 years sentence, justified according to the Brooksville judge, was handed down this week after guilty verdicts were rendered back on July 30. It is not uncommon after a serious sex crimes case like this for a judge to handle the several different sentencing issues days or even weeks after trial. The sentence was broken down as 5 fifteen year terms, to be served consecutively.

The Internet pornography was allegedly found on the home computer in their Spring Hill home by the defendant’s girlfriend. Unfortunately, it has been reported that a Hernando County child custody battle ensued and accordingly the pictures found their way into the hands of law enforcement.

This case is certainly yet another example of the seriousness of Florida sex crimes cases, but maybe more important is the lesson is stands for about the collateral consequences a Family law case can create. Often times, when children or a marriage is involved, the parties involved will resort to any and all methods to destroy the other person – well I’d say she accomplished her goal here.