Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution
has filed charges stemming from a Collier County Sheriff’s Office human
trafficking investigation.
Shawn Anthony Lewis,35, of Lee County, has been charged with
one count of human trafficking.
The investigation into Lewis’ activities ultimately grew
into a joint investigation involving CCSO, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and
the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Lewis is currently incarcerated due to a conviction in a
statewide prostitution ring operated out of his escort service “Perfect 10
Companions.” The charges in that case
stemmed from an LCSO investigation.
CCSO’s human trafficking investigation began in July 2013,
when a victim came forward and provided a statement to deputies during a prostitution
operation.
According to the investigation, Lewis used threats,
intimidation and coercion to control the victim and force her into sexual
activity in Collier, Lee, Sarasota, and Hillsborough counties. Lewis allegedly
blackmailed the victim by threatening to send sexual videos of her to her
family and the Department of Children and Families in order to try to get them
to take her 2-year-old child.
“Florida is a zero-tolerance state for human trafficking and
my Office of Statewide Prosecution will aggressively prosecute anyone
responsible for this abhorrent crime,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“This investigation demonstrates that human trafficking will
not be tolerated in Collier County,” said Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk.
“This is a crime that exploits human beings for forced sex or labor, and it’s
critical that those responsible be brought to justice.”
Human Trafficking is a first-degree felony and is punishable
to 30 years in prison. The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution
will prosecute this case.
