Human Trafficking Investigation Nets 13 Arrests

One victim rescued by law enforcement

Posted

Palm Coast, FL - The Flagler County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) teams up with federal investigators and brings 13 individuals into custody during a two-day human trafficking operation.

According to a release from FCSO, it was their Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and Problem Area Crime Enforcement (PACE) that teamed up with the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to identify and combat human trafficking issues in the area between June 17 and 18.

The operation focused on subjects soliciting prostitution services from websites specifically utilized for prostitution advertisements, suspected prostitutes’ transporters and handlers, as well as subjects who are attempting to obtain sexual services from these individuals. Investigators were additionally able to intercept a a victim of human trafficking. That victim has since been turned over to the care of federal investigators, who continue to investigate further into their human trafficker.

"I want to thank our Special Investigations Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, and our PACE team for their incredible work during this operation," Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly said. "Whenever we conduct operations like this we rarely only charge offenders with soliciting prostitution. We recovered drugs, firearms, and this time the operation led to the rescue of a victim of human trafficking."

"These are not victimless crimes and we will continue to work to end human trafficking, prostitution and drugs in Flagler County. I also hope the females that were arrested get the help they need to get off drugs and turn their life around," added Sheriff Staly.

13 arrests have been made as a part of the operation, which include an assortment of prostitution, narcotics, and firearm-related offenses. You can find a full list of the arrestees below.

  • Matthew Faircloth (DOB: 9/3/81) – Solicit Prostitution
  • Roger Warren Dean (DOB: 4/19/59) – Solicit Prostitution
  • Andrew Bruce King (DOB: 11/25/70) – Solicit Prostitution
  • Omar Mostafa Elsheimy (DOB: 12/10/94) – Solicit Prostitution
  • William Norman Lewis (DOB: 11/3/83) – Solicit Prostitution
  • Thomas J. Morrell (DOB: 7/28/49) – Solicit Prostitution
  • Cleveland Williams (DOB: 7/16/91) – Solicit Prostitution, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Sell, Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Sell, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Sanchez Demario Clark (DOB: 1/26/91) – No Florida DL
  • Matthew Carl Santoro (DOB: 7/1/87) – Solicit Prostitution
  • Kayleigh Ann Ferguson (DOB: 1/11/98) – Offer to Commit Prostitution, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Rachell Alexis Ponder (DOB: 1/9/98) – Offer to Commit Prostitution 2nd Offense, No Florida DL
  • Nicole Dimeo (DOB: 5/4/85) – Offer to Commit Prostitution, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Alprazolam, Possession Drug Paraphernalia
  • Dewayne Leonard Holmes (DOB: 7/17/83) – FTA Reference Resisting LEO (Volusia County
    Warrant)