Human Trafficking Victim Forced To Have Sex To Pay Off Debt: Sheriff

CITRUS PARK, FL — A 29-year-old Citrus Park man is behind bars on human trafficking charges after the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said he forced a woman to have sex for money with men to pay off a debt she owed.

The sheriff's human trafficking squad detectives, who monitor various prostitution sites year-round, posed as johns, responding to escort advertisements online, and worked undercover at a hotel in Hillsborough County where they'd arranged to meet the women in the ads, according to the sheriff's office.

On Wednesday, undercover detectives met with two women at the hotel. Prior to entering the lobby, they saw a ride-sharing service drop the women off. A male passenger was in the front seat. Detectives later identified the man as Frank Ramos Terry of Paddock Lane Drive in Citrus Park, the sheriff's office said.

After speaking with the women, detectives learned that one of the women had been forced by Terry into sex acts for money to pay a debt she owed.

The anti-human trafficking nonprofit Selah Freedom was able to get the woman into a safe house in Hillsborough County for the night and provide additional help for her.

Terry faces charges of coercing for a commercial sex act by human trafficking, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution and transporting for prostitution.

He remains incarcerated at the Falkenburg Road Jail. His bond is set at 45,000.

"Anyone who believes they can make a livelihood by taking advantage of women in Hillsborough County needs a reality check," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "It is inhumane and our detectives continue to crack down on those whose vile and heinous business is to force women into a life of human trafficking. I have said it before and I will say it again, we will not tolerate the business of human trafficking and we will do everything and anything to remove it from our community."