33 Arrested in Florida Escort Service Sting
A sting operation where police set up an escort service to snare men looking for sex resulted in the arrest of 33 men -- a few of them notable names in Jacksonville, according to WJXT-TV.
All of the men are charged with soliciting a prostitute.
"It actually was a three-day operation," said John Hartley, assistant chief of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. "It was Internet-related and newspaper-related, where we had decoys posing as escorts in a local hotel."
Among those arrested was Frank Morandi, 43, who until Thursday was a teacher and head basketball coach at The Bolles School.
According to the arrest report, Morandi contacted a person he thought was a prostitute over the telephone and over the Internet. The private school told WJXT-TV that Morandi turned in his resignation, effective immediately.
Another person arrested in the sting is Paul McDavid, 37, a lieutenant with the Jacksonville Fire Department. He did not return phone calls on Thursday.
"I believe the families of these men are victims," Hartley said. "They're leading a secret life."
Those arrested include an Brian Dunmore, a Yale University graduate who listed him employer as the PGA Tour, and Robert Handmaker, who owns Cruiser's Grill at the beach. According to the police report, Handmaker brought a pair of panties and asked the woman she thought was a prostitute to put them on.
Others facing the misdemeanor charge of soliciting include an employee of Duval County schools and two Navy men.
"I wish to say that we never catch people who are preachers doctors or lawyers or policeman or fireman, but I am telling you, this affects every walk of life."
According to the reports, one man, Jefferson Miclat, resisted arrest and police used a Taser gun on him before he was taken into custody.
Detectives said this roundup should send a message to anyone considering approaching someone intending to pay for sex.
"When you stop and go out on the street, it may be one of our decoys, so beware," Hartley said.
All of the men are charged with soliciting a prostitute.
"It actually was a three-day operation," said John Hartley, assistant chief of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. "It was Internet-related and newspaper-related, where we had decoys posing as escorts in a local hotel."
Among those arrested was Frank Morandi, 43, who until Thursday was a teacher and head basketball coach at The Bolles School.
According to the arrest report, Morandi contacted a person he thought was a prostitute over the telephone and over the Internet. The private school told WJXT-TV that Morandi turned in his resignation, effective immediately.
Another person arrested in the sting is Paul McDavid, 37, a lieutenant with the Jacksonville Fire Department. He did not return phone calls on Thursday.
"I believe the families of these men are victims," Hartley said. "They're leading a secret life."
Those arrested include an Brian Dunmore, a Yale University graduate who listed him employer as the PGA Tour, and Robert Handmaker, who owns Cruiser's Grill at the beach. According to the police report, Handmaker brought a pair of panties and asked the woman she thought was a prostitute to put them on.
Others facing the misdemeanor charge of soliciting include an employee of Duval County schools and two Navy men.
"I wish to say that we never catch people who are preachers doctors or lawyers or policeman or fireman, but I am telling you, this affects every walk of life."
According to the reports, one man, Jefferson Miclat, resisted arrest and police used a Taser gun on him before he was taken into custody.
Detectives said this roundup should send a message to anyone considering approaching someone intending to pay for sex.
"When you stop and go out on the street, it may be one of our decoys, so beware," Hartley said.
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