Prostitution sting in Southeast Seminole Heights nabs 17

TAMPA — Police took on the city's most notorious prostitution drag this weekend in a two-day sting that nabbed 17 men on charges including soliciting to commit prostitution and possession of drugs and stolen firearms.

The Tampa Police Department's street anticrime squad targeted the area of N Nebraska Avenue and E Emily Street in Southeast Seminole Heights on Friday and Saturday nights.

Lt. Diane Hobley-Burney said police conduct these types of stings in response to complaints from neighbors.

Residents of Southeast Seminole Heights have battled crime in the area for years, with "hooker patrols" that take to the streets at night with flashlights, shooing prostitutes away.

Illegal activity all but disappeared until about three months ago, when neighbors started seeing more streetwalkers.

"TPD was really quick to listen to us," said neighborhood association president Sherry Genovar-Simons. "They have really been paying consistent attention to the area. It's helped the problem enormously."

Joseph Phillips, 46, Tampa; Louis E. Texidor, 34, Tampa; Michael Jimerson, 18, Tampa; Donald V. Jones, 47, Tampa; Eduardo Garcia, 41, Orlando; Kesnel Joseph, 31, Tampa; Jerry A. Booker, 43, Tampa; Gregorio Velasco, 39, Tampa; Kenneth Yana, 42, Spring Hill; Cano Bernadin, 29, Temple Terrace; Bigenson Lubin, 23, Tampa; Samuel Hines, 73, Selah, Wash.; Robert Torrence, 44, Tampa; Daniel J. Klein, 42, Tampa; Ervin D. Sharpe, 39, St. Petersburg; Peter Sanchez, 50, Tampa; and Shaun A. Sanders, 29, Tampa.

Comments on this article

by UNCONSTITUTIONAL	Nov 18, 2008 3:36 PM
I would rather some pervert pay a prostitute than rape my wife,daughter,sister or mother. These people act like they just started doing this here ? You bought a house in a crime infested area not the polo club.

by Kim	Nov 18, 2008 3:28 PM
Cathi--Just keep a blowgun by the front door and "sting" her yourself next time! lol That'll teach her :D

by soak them	Nov 17, 2008 5:16 PM
Generally, if you spray your hose towards the alley, they leave, elfasto!

by Bob H	Nov 17, 2008 4:21 PM
Prostitution should be legalized and, more importantly, restricted to certain zones within a city. Carve out a few blocks in, say, a light industrial area well away from residential neighborhoods. Problem solved.

by Richard	Nov 17, 2008 4:15 PM
MMM lets see would we want it in our area. We allready do. When you go to a bar and buy drinks all night for a girl ya never met?? You pay one way or another.

by Joe B.	Nov 17, 2008 4:12 PM
Welcome to SKANK CITY!

by Ted	Nov 17, 2008 4:07 PM
Yep that 300K for a house was a great investment in that area.

by Augustus	Nov 17, 2008 3:42 PM
Thumb up! This is the next Rome and adultery will not be tolerated.

by Cathi	Nov 17, 2008 2:09 PM
I wish they would do the sting in my neighborhood. I have had a prostitute walk up in my driveways and as my husband if he wants to have a good time. Please Do the sting in my neighborhood.

by Hardhat0038	Nov 17, 2008 10:13 AM
While I agree with the sentiments here, UNCONSTITUTIONAL's statement is irresponsible and inaccurate. rapists don't pay for it, because it isn't about the sex, it's a power trip. Therefore legalizing prostitution would do nothing to curb rapists.

by Wootie	Nov 17, 2008 10:11 AM
Who Care's...How about getting the drugs out of Seminole Heights and getting the GIRLS off the streets.....Lets pick up some drug dealers.

by LDH	Nov 17, 2008 10:11 AM
It's easy for some people to say 'legalize it' unless it was in their neighborhood. You'd feel different if you had your teenager take the trash out to only witness a couple getting busy in the alley. It's pathetic, disgusting and illegal!

by rebekah	Nov 17, 2008 10:11 AM
I don't think this is a waste of taxpayer money. Would you want to live in a neighborhood with someone walking by selling sex? I am all for legalizing prostitution so it can be managed and kept in a redlight district away from homes and families.

by Cindy	Nov 17, 2008 10:11 AM
Police will never stop the oldest profession. This sting involved mostly middle aged men looking for consensual sex. During these bad economic times, at best, taxpayer dollars were wasted pushing the problem to another neighborhood!

by RKI	Nov 17, 2008 10:11 AM
CrazyIvan, Perhaps you feel differently if:you live in a neighborhood where this activity takes place; you have to explain to your child what the used condom in the front yard is; you have "consensual crime" occurring in cars in front of your home.

by Al	Nov 17, 2008 9:44 AM
Legalize it (and tax it if you must) and make everyone get tested. Seems to work for Nevada!!!

by Jay	Nov 17, 2008 9:44 AM
They keep pushing this area like it will be the next Bayshore for how many years??? Wake up people it is a hood.

by Carl	Nov 17, 2008 9:44 AM
Tough luck. I wonder how many were married and had to explain to their wives what they were doing.

by Andrew	Nov 17, 2008 9:44 AM
When is the city going to step up and put the Neb. and Fla. "motels" out of business? They promote crime and use up police resources. Do an investigative report on the motels and the taxpayer money they eat up on crime calls. Who owns them?

by MrTim	Nov 17, 2008 9:44 AM
OK, consent to it in your neighborhood.

by Dave	Nov 17, 2008 9:41 AM
Give 'em physicals, license them, and leave 'em alone. Waste of resources....

by Steve	Nov 17, 2008 9:41 AM
You wouldn't feel that way if the hookers were hanging out on the street outside your house.

by johnson	Nov 17, 2008 9:41 AM
No crazyivan, its money well spent on getting prostitutes OUT of a residential neighborhood. If you want streetwalkers hanging outside of your house, please please invite them over and get them out of mine! They're skanky.

by UNCONSTITUTIONAL	Nov 17, 2008 9:40 AM
I would rather have these men pay a prostitute for sex than to roam the streets looking for a woman to rape. Yes prostitution has problems such as aids and lowering property values, but they didn't buy houses in Cheval. They knew where they bought.

by CrazyIvan	Nov 16, 2008 11:58 PM
Oh boy. More taxpayer money wasted on consensual crime enforcement.