Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
Submitted by Bill Leeper
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office narcotics/vice division conducted an undercover prostitution sting at a local hotel in Yulee on Feb 28. Four suspects were contacted utilizing the website Backpage.com, where the individuals advertised their services in the Nassau County area. All four people agreed to meet with undercover detectives in hotel rooms at the Best Western and agreements were made to exchange sexual acts for money. Deputies would then go in and make arrests.
“Anytime money changes hands for any type of sexual favor, it is illegal,” says Sheriff Bill Leeper.
Nassau County Sheriffs’ vice detectives decided to crack down on the problem after learning about the local ads.
“The girls have ads and show scantily-clothed pictures. They give a name, phone number, and usually they tell how much for an hour or half hour,” says Leeper. “The sex business is just part of the crime – most are doing business to get money for drugs.”
The Nassau County Sheriff’s office will continue to conduct similar prostitution operations year round targeting not only those who solicit sex but those who sell sex as well.
Four people were arrest For Prohibiting Prostitution. Three were booked into the Nassau County Jail and one was issued a summons.
Solanch Yallene Dewey, 21, Jacksonville, prohibiting prostitution and related acts.
Stephanie Amber Coursey, 20, Neptune Beach, prohibiting prostitution, related acts, and outstanding warrant for grand theft and dealing in stolen property.
Kristal Marie Peeler, 32, Jacksonville, prohibiting prostitution, related acts, drug paraphernalia, and outstanding warrant for grand theft.
Jamie Lee Stewart, 21, Jacksonville prohibiting prostitution, and summons issued.
March 4, 2014 1:35 p.m.
I wonder about the ethics of publishing the names and pictures of alleged criminals. I know it is a common practice, but not all allegations are true. And not every arrest is reported on, so some must be singled out.
I don’t know anything about these specific individuals. But the charge has a unique stigma attached to it. What are your criteria for publishing names and photos?
Were the “John’s” arrested, too? Where are their names and pictures?
I agree with Rose – where are the “participating” men???
The “Johns” were NCSO’s. This was an undercover sting. The Officers called the women.
Is prostitution only illegal for women? Why aren’t the men arrested and why aren’t their pictures run.
Prostitution can’t thrive without the men who use this service. Only three or four pictures of local men engaged in “illegal” sex would cut way down on the prostitute’s business here. If they have no customers, they will go elsewhere. If they have a good business here, they will stay.