Three Accused of Forcing Minors into Prostitution

Three suspects have been arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office after allegedly forcing two teenage girls into prostitution. 

According to the sheriff's office, Donell Jenkins, Stacy Jo Bumgarner and Antron Smith were arrested Sunday at the Knights Inn, 2595 54th Ave. N.

The victims were 15 and 16 years old. 

Deputies attempting to serve a warrant Sunday at the Knights Inn knocked on the door of one of the hotel room doors, only to find the two female juveniles in the room along with Jenkins, according to the sheriff's report.  

At that point, deputies said they also noticed marijuana in plain view.

Detectives from the crimes against children unit were called in for further investigation, which revealed that the female victims were engaging in prostitution at the direction of Jenkins, Bumgarner and Smith, authorities said.

According to investigators, the teens had been with the suspects between five and seven days.

The sheriff's office said Jenkins provided security to the victims and was instructed by Smith to recruit girls for the purposes of prostitution.

Bumgarner, according to the report, assisted with the wording/posting of advertisements posted on an online classifieds website.

She further assisted by instructing the victims on how much to charge and what procedures to use when the clients arrived, authorities said.

According to the sheriff's office, Smith assisted by providing funds to cover the room rental and fees for posting the online ads knowing what the funds were being used for.

Jenkins would stay in the room with the two female victims while Bumgarner and Smith shared a separate room nearby, authorities said.

Jenkins, 21, has been charged with procuring a minor for Prostitution, deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, renting space to be used for lewdness, assignation or prostitution, violation of probation, contributing to delinquency of a minor and possession of marijuana.

Bumgarner, 28, has been charged with procuring a minor for prostitution, deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution and renting Space to be used for lewdness, assignation or prostitution.

Smith, 30, has been charged with procuring a minor for prostitution, deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, renting space to be used for lewdness, assignation or prostitution and four counts violation of probation.

The sheriff's office said the investigation continues.

Anyone who has any information that may assist investigators in this case 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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