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16 arrested in illegal prostitution ring originating in SWFL

Posted at 6:25 PM, Jun 09, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-09 22:17:54-04

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla-- Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested 16 people accused of taking part in an illegal prostitution ring. FDLE said in a press conference Thursday the investigation started in 2014 thanks to a tip from agents with the Collier County Sheriff's Office.

"The arrests are just the beginning of this investigation," said FDLE agent Shane Pollard.

FDLE said they are still working to determine if human trafficking was involved.

The massage parlors are owned by Naples resident, Robert Jones. Authorities said Jones was arrested Friday in Hawaii and booked into the Kauai County Jail on multiple charges including racketeering.

"Thanks to this complex and multi-agency investigation the criminal activity that these individuals were perpetrating is over," said Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk.