8 arrested in Clearwater prostitution sting

CLEARWATER — Police here have arrested eight Pinellas men as part of prostitution sting focusing on "Johns," the prostitute's male customers.

The detail, starting late Friday afternoon and lasting until 2 a.m. Saturday, targeted the East Gateway area after complaints by residents and business owners about prostitutes and Johns cruising the area.

Each of the men arrested in the 10-hour crackdown was charged with solicitation and booked into the Pinellas County Jail.

Four were from Clearwater: Hector Manuel Alamilla, 33; Pablo Florflores, 21; Bruce Jay Gillanders, 58; and Ermin Kurtovic, 45.

Three were from Largo: Jose Guadalupe Carrillosilva, 21; Paul Dack, 38; and Jorge Enrique Rodriguez, 54;

And one was from St. Petersburg: Eric Alan Jelks, 32.

Police said prostitution stings are conducted periodically to address complaints.

Police Chief Tony Holloway vowed the crackdowns would continue until the problem is eradicated from Clearwater. The most recent sting focused on the area along Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard from San Remo Avenue to Jupiter Avenue.