TREASURE ISLAND - Three Treasure Island residents were arrested on May 9 in connection with a human trafficking operation allegedly run out of Treasure Island home at 10214 Tarpon Drive.
Investigators have information that the victims were forced into prostitution and were dancers at clubs in the Tampa Bay area and elsewhere, according to a report from the sheriff’s office. The victims are not being identified due to the nature of the crimes - primarily sexual battery.
Kenyatta Cornelous, 38, remained in the Pinellas County Jail charged with sexual battery, no bond set; human trafficking, $50,000 bond; and deriving proceeds from prostitution, $10,000 bond. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail.
Edward Jones, 47, remained in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond on a charge of human trafficking.
Corinna Shaffer, 24, was charged with human trafficking, $50,000 bond; and deriving proceeds from prostitution, $10,000 bond.
The suspects allegedly abused the victims physically and mentally and deprived them of their identification, money and their general freedom, according to the report.
Several victims have been identified by investigators. Detectives also believe there may be more victims, who were too intimidated to report the crimes.
Detectives from the Pinellas County Sheriff's investigative operations unit, Clearwater Police, the Clearwater Area Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement cooperated in the two-month investigation that began with a tip, according to the report.
More charges are possible and perhaps more arrests as the investigation continues, the report said.
Detectives said the investigation is significant because it is believed to be the first domestic human trafficking case in the Tampa Bay area and perhaps in the state.
Anyone having any information on this alleged human trafficking operation is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 727-582-6200, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.
