NEWS RELEASE

On Friday evening, detectives with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office ended a two month investigation into human trafficking resulting in the arrest of Thomas Solomon III (28) of Vero Beach. In the month of March, detectives confirmed that Solomon listed several young females on a website known for prostitution. They conducted surveillance and were able to determine that an apartment complex and two hotels in Vero Beach were being used for prostitution.

After speaking with confidential informants and one of the females who was trafficked, detectives learned that Solomon provided drugs to these young females. After using the drugs and being addicted, the females were informed that they “owed” Solomon for the drugs and would have to work the debt off in the form of commercial sexual acts. The females told detectives that if they did not perform sexual acts and immediately turn their earnings over to Solomon, he would threaten or use physical violence against them.

Sheriff Deryl Loar stated, “Our detectives continue to eradicate Indian River County of the criminal element. Human trafficking and underage sex cases are of utmost importance to our mission. We are proud of Detectives Partee and Shepherd and how they continue to outsmart the bad guys in these cases.”

Solomon was arrested late Friday afternoon in an undercover drug operation planned by detectives. Solomon was arrested on the outstanding warrant of human trafficking which was issued with a $250,000.00 bond. He was also charged with trafficking morphine, felony possession of a controlled substance (Dilaudid), felony possession of cocaine, distribution of a controlled substance (cocaine), felony aggravated child abuse, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. In total, Solomon is being held on $545,000.00 bond.

Just a day before Solomon’s arrest, Detective Shepherd arrested Darrin Mchugh (48) of Hobe Sound for traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity and lewd solicitation of a child by computer. Mchugh is being held on $75,000.00 bond. In that case, Detective Shepherd posed as an underage female on a website known for sexual activity.

“Solomon’s arrest highlights the importance of our work in online investigations”, stated Detective Jeremy Shepherd. Detective Ross Partee commented, “Young women may meet a man online and think it is safe. There are people out there like Solomon, who want to prostitute young women and get them addicted to drugs. We must continue our mission towards putting these guys behind bars.”