Fourth Suspect Arrested in Teenage Prostitution Investigation

A St. Petersburg woman has been arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for allegedly helping a 15-year-old girl into prostitution and then making money off the teenage victim. 

Ashley Clark, 19, has been charged with procuring a minor for prostitution and deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution.

Clark's arrest is the fourth in a prostitution investigation stemming from an incident at the Knight's Inn in unincorporated St. Petersburg. Three others have previously been charged with forcing two teens into prostitution. 

According to the arrest report, the victim and Clark had been staying at the LaQuinta Inn and Gateway Motel for two weeks. Deputies said during that time, the victim and Clark engaged in prostitution.

"Clark paid for the rooms and set up ads on Backpage.com," the sheriff's office said. "The victim would then pay Clark after each sexual encounter with a client."

The sheriff's office said detectives with the Crimes Against Children Unit met with Clark on Wednesday at the Pinellas County Jail where she admitted to assisting the victim with prostitution, in addition to receiving a monetary benefit from the acts.

If you have any information that may assist investigators in this case, you can contact Detective Jennifer Zinge at 727-582-6200; or to remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

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