Venice police arrested a 17-year-old Florida girl Friday for allegedly running an underage prostitution ring on Facebook, where the teen organized an exchange between a fellow high school girl and a 21-year-old man for cash and alcohol.
John Mosher, 21, was arrested after engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old in exchange for $40 and a bottle of alcohol. The deal and at least two others like it were arranged by Alexa Nicole De Armas, 17, and another student from Venice High School, police told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
“Why pimp out old hoes when I have fresh young hoes I can give up for money?” De Armas wrote in a Facebook Messenger exchange with a partner, according to the report. “As long as I’m getting paid I’m trafficking all these (expletive).”
De Armas has been charged with human trafficking of a person younger than 18 — a felony — and Mosher with felony sexual battery on a victim older than 12 after the 15-year-old told police she tried to back out of the deal at the last minute, but was forced by the 21-year-old. Police said a third suspect would be arrested Tuesday.
The ring was exposed by four fellow Venice High School students, all of whom corroborated the story to school administrators. Police, who were notified of the possible prostitution ring in October, are also investigating possible contact between Mosher and students from nearby Riverview High School.
According to Venice Police Capt. Tom Mattmuller, students from other Sarasota County schools may be involved.