High school coach, pastor among 79 arrested in human trafficking sting ahead of WrestleMania

[demmiblue]

TAMPA, Fla. - Hillsborough County detectives said dozens were arrested in the days leading up to WrestleMania 37 during an anti-human trafficking operation, including a high school basketball coach and a pastor who solicited sex while his two children were with him.

Sheriff Chad Chronister announced Thursday morning the arrests of 79 people during "Operation Takedown."

"As we have seen so many times before," he said during a press conference, "our great community can sometimes be tainted by individuals who use these large events to take advantage of another for human trafficking."
operation takedown two suspect

The sheriff said detectives made undercover online profiles and phony advertisements for sex. Female detectives posed as "streetwalkers."

Among those arrested was 39-year-old Earnest Benjamin, a pastor at Breath of Life Worship Church, located along Fowler Avenue in Tampa. Sheriff Chronister said he offered $25 for oral sex, and made the deal in the presence of his children.

https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/more-than-70-arrested-ahead-of-wrestlemania-in-anti-human-trafficking-operation

[uponit7771]

1. "...and made the deal in the presence of his children"

[jmbar2]

2. Praise Jeebus

he has arisen

[magicarpet]

4. .... and just think the Pastor could have charged his,....

.... children a viewing fee of $15 each.

Gotten a free BJ,...and had enough left over to get a beer.

Don't tell your Mama or the parishioners at the church. Jesus already forgave me.

[Mr. Evil]

30. It's that automatic forgiveness thing that always bothers me.

I don't put anything past these neurotics. And with that 'get out of jail free card' of instant forgiveness only encourages them to push the envelope. And they always do.

Our job is to figure out a way to stop the indoctrination. Starting with Focksnooze and working our way down, it's going to be a tall task. Are we up to it? It has to be done.

[Initech]

3. And where are the Q Anon people on this? Dead silent?

[Grokenstein]

5. They're waiting for FOXHenhouse or their hentai sites to tell them what to think.

[joetheman]

11. Some were a part of it. n

[csziggy]

6. And just think - this is who the Fla Legislature wants to examine the genitals

Of girls that want to participate in sports.

If I were a Florida parent with a daughter interested in sports, I would not allow them to participate in any school sports program. They can do other sports or physical activities, such as horse back riding or ballet - but not one with mandated child abuse by unscreened "coaches."

[Mr. Evil]

31. "If I were a Florida parent,"

I would move. Pronto!!!

[csziggy]

40. Fortunately, I am not a parent so I get to stay here and fight these RepuQs nt

[SheltieLover]

33. +1,000!

[gibraltar72]

7. Family values

I was at Wrestlemania 1 I had my kids I was busy making sure they were OK, when We got out of the crush of people I looked to see what time it was and my watch was gone.

[WA-03 Democrat]

8. Jimmy and Sally cover your ears!

Hey, lady, hey I have $25 if you.....

[crickets]

39. A pastor solicits a BJ in front of his kids. I can't even anymore. nt

[Hugh_Lebowski]

9. I disagree w/ the idea that if you hire a 'streetwalker' that's actually a cop

That this qualifies as 'human trafficking'.

It's simple solicitation.

In fact, I think stings like this are fucked up.

"The sheriff’s office said large-scale events like WrestleMania and the Super Bowl attract people who work in the illegal sex-trade business"

And yet all they're showing in the article is customers caught in their sting operations.

Nothing about anyone whatsoever who "work(s) in the illegal sex-trade business"

Wonder if there were any such people arrested

[paleotn]

14. An opportunity to break the law isn't entrapment.

Giving someone little recourse but to break the law is entrapment. He had ample opportunity to simply walk or drive away. Unfortunately for him, he was thinking with his little head, instead of his big one.

[Mr. Evil]

32. Can't argue with that assessment!

[paleotn]

16. Multipronged operation....

Some facets involved police posing online offering the services of underage individuals, but also included more traditional, undercover stings.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

19. Whatever ... prostitution should be legal and regulated (not minors of course) nt

[paleotn]

42. Possibly so, but....

the dynamics that lead women into such fields, not because they want to, but simply because they've got no other alternative need to be eliminated.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

43. We don't disagree on this point, and its worth working towards for sure ...

However, those dynamics do exist now, for one thing, and for another, there would still be some women who would elect to do this work, for various reasons ... it's unlikely a solution to those dynamics would replace the sort of money that a successful sex worker can make, for one thing. And there are also some who actually don't mind the work, if I'm allowed to make such a bold statement.

[alphafemale]

35. So you'd rather wait until they actually rape a twelve year old?

Rather than let them think they are meeting a 12 year old?

OK

[Hugh_Lebowski]

38. That's one person mentioned in the article, number 1 ...

Number 2 ... that person was a sex offender on parole. That specific case is a reasonable use of these entrapment methods.

This overall thing is not about catching people who would rape a 12 year old, it's about catching johns at the Wrestle Mania.

OK?

[CatWoman]

12. lol -- sounds like a porn name

?ve=1&tl=1

[hatrack]

15. Could be worse - "Richard Steele" comes to mind . . .

.

[sdfernando]

18. Or "Hardy Johnson" /nt

[hatrack]

20. Randy Toole

[sdfernando]

27. Ha!

Eno Romas

[soldierant]

22. "Miles Long"

was suggested by a friend of mine. Always makes megiggle when I recall it.

[GOPricklepants]

13. Breath of Life Worship Church- guess we know why his church got its name

$25 for oral sex. Discussed in front of his kids. Wonder how his congregation feels about the destination of their spiritual dollars dropped in the coffer?

[Skittles]

25. I bet this guy judged gay and trans folk

count on it

[monkeyman1]

17. Florida is looking like a porn capital !!!

[Maru Kitteh]

21. I've come to believe there are more good cops than good preachers.

[soldierant]

23. Well, good cops occasionally make news

Good preachers pretty well don't. Evr.

[Maru Kitteh]

24. No, but I do get to watch them in action at the hospitals I've worked at. Vultures.

Always making sure their church gets a piece of the action when a member is on their way out. Hanging around, getting the signature.

[soldierant]

26. Of course you see the ones who do that.

I have also seen some who don't do that. Visit, yes, but just visit and pray. I'm sorry you don't see those.

[knightmaar]

28. "Streetwalker". Really.

As in, "A woman walking down a street without her husband is suspicious."

[lpbk2713]

29. "Read your Bible kiddies while Daddy goes and gets a BJ."

Unbelievable.

[SheltieLover]

34. Wtf is it with coaches?

Hastert

Gym

Now this.

[alphafemale]

36. Easy access to children

See also

Youth pastor

Scout leader

[SheltieLover]

37. Sickening!

Add priest to list.

[Faux pas]

41. Kickin' with disgust!