TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Two people were arrested “for trafficking and financially exploiting” a teenage girl who went missing several months earlier, according to a Hillsborough County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office news release.
Detectives began investigating the case after spotting a person in a commercial sex advertisement that appeared to be the missing 15-year-old girl.
HCSO, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Lakeland Police Department conducted an undercover operation in Lakeland, Florida, to rescue the girl on June 24. Terrance Whitfield Jr., 22, was identified as her trafficker and was arrested, according to HCSO.
“This is not typically a stranger that is yanking somebody off the street,” said Meredith Grau Porter, vice president of client services at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.
The center contributed to the data in a study from the University of South Florida. They found the most common victim-offender relationships were with acquaintances and friends or neighbors.
Brittany Armstrong, 36, conspired with Whitfield to exploit the girl and posted the online advertisements, HCSO said. She was also accused of arranging meetups between sex buyers and the teen, where she would collect money for the acts.
“I think there are many scenarios with missing and exploited children that there’s a lot of possibilities and that could be the case,” said Grau Porter.
USF’s data found more than 19,000 commercial sex ads just in Hillsborough County, making Tampa the third city with the highest number of ads in the state.
“This young girl was exploited and abused by individuals who viewed her as nothing more than a way to make money. Let me be clear, anyone who preys on children will be found, arrested, and held accountable,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “I want to thank the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Lakeland Police Department for their outstanding partnership. Because of their collaboration and the relentless work of our Human Trafficking Section, we were able to rescue a child from an unthinkable situation.”
Armstrong was arrested on June 27 and charged with human trafficking for commercial sexual activity with a victim under age 18. Whitfield was charged with human trafficking for commercial sexual activity with a victim under age 18, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
“The real impact is going to be when there are actually consequences that are strong and firm on anyone who is trafficking individuals,” said Grau Porter.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim or has information about this case is urged to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8000.