Honeymooner, Youth Minister Busted in Florida Prostitution Investigation

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigation led to 92 prostitution-related arrests.

A man looking for a prostitute during his honeymoon and a youth minister expecting to have sex with a 14-year-old girl were among 92 people arrested in a Polk County Sheriff's Office undercover prostitution investigation.

The four-day undercover investigation targeted prostitution websites on which men and women advertising prostitution or soliciting prostitution, the sheriff’s office said.

Mohammed Ahmed, originally from Illinois, was on his honeymoon when he answered to an ad from an undercover detective posing as a prostitute, authorities said.

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When the 21-year-old did not return to the hotel, his wife reported him missing, the sheriff's office said. His wife was later notified that he had been charged with prostitution and possession of marijuana.

Samuel Yoon, a youth minister at the Holy Cows youth ministry, New Community Mission Church in San Leandro, Calif., was in Orlando for a youth conference when he responded to an ad posted by an undercover detective offering women for sale, authorities said.

Yoon, 45, was expecting to meet a 14-year-old girl, the sheriff's office said. He now faces including traveling to meet a minor and using a two-way communication device to commit a felony.

Two of those arrested were from South Florida, including Julenny Aquino, 19, of Miami Gardens, who showed up at an undercover location to commit prostitution, deputies said.

Gerald Atilus, 40, of Homestead answered an ad posted by an undercover detective who was posing as a prostitute, and he was charged with battery, deputies said.

No one answered the door at Atilus' home when NBC 6 went there on Tuesday.

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Michael Kempfer, from Orlando, was arrested after he brought a 15-year-old girl as a prostitute to the undercover location, authorities said.

Others arrested included 12 “pimps” who brought prostitutes to the undercover location, 39 prostitutes, 39 people who were willing to pay for sex from prostitutes and two others who went with suspects to the undercover location and were arrested on other charges, the sheriff’s office said.

The investigation took place from May 8 through May 11. Among the charges filed are aiding and abetting prostitution, deriving proceeds from prostitution, possession of illegal drugs and resisting an arrest.

Ahmed and Yoon were released from jail, while Kempfer remained in jail Tuesday on a $2,250 bond. It wasn’t immediately known if they, Aquino, Atilus or Kempfer had attorneys.
 

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