A St. Petersburg woman is being held at the Pinellas County Jail for allegedly prostituting a 14-year-old runaway on the internet and charging men $180 for each sexual encounter, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department.
Katilia Brekeysha Seymour, 33, of 620 53rd Ave. S. was arrested October 28 and charged with one count of human trafficking of a minor, according to a written statement from the Sheriff’s office. Bail was set at $250,000.
Officials began investigating the case on October 20, 2016 after the child told them she was having sexual encounters with men for money. The girl said she ran away from home October 2 and was introduced to Seymour when she needed a place to stay.
According to the girl, she agreed to engage in prostitution in exchange for Seymour renting her a motel room. Seymour allegedly took photographs of the victim in scanty clothing and posted them on backpage.com.
Detectives said men responding to the ads paid $180 to have sexual with the child, of which Seymour allegedly kept more than half.
The victim was placed in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families. The investigation continues, the statement said.
Local Crime Watch
A sampling of police reports from October 26 to November 2 in Gulfport, St. Pete Beach and South Pasadena.
Sources: Pinellas County Crime Viewer, the Gulfport Police Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Gulfport
Assault
10/27, 12 p.m., 5100 block of 13th Ave. S.
Burglary – residence
10/30, unknown time, 5300 block of 13th Ave. S.
Burglary – vehicle
10/26, 4:16 a.m., 5000 block of 13th Ave. S.
10/26, 5 p.m., 1600 block of 53rd St. S.
10/28, 11:45 p.m., 1400 block of 55th St. S.
10/29, 7:45 p.m., 700 block of 51st St. S.
Stolen vehicle
10/26, 1:30 a.m., 5800 block of 23rd Ave. S.
10/30, 11:30 p.m., 5700 block of 12th Ave. S.
Theft – grand
10/28, 8:15 p.m., 5300 block of 26th Ave. S.
10/29, 11 p.m., 6000 block of Shore Blvd. S.
Theft – petit
10/28, 6:20 p.m., 5400 block of Shore Blvd. S.
10/28, 12:30 p.m., 900 block of 58th St. S.
Traffic accident
10/30, unknown time, 1000 block of 49th St. S.
Vandalism – criminal mischief
10/29, 9 p.m., 2600 block of 53rd St. S.
St. Pete Beach
Battery
11/1, 3:58 a.m., 600 block of Corey Ave.
Burglary – vehicle
11/1, 10 p.m., 5500 block of Gulf Blvd.
Theft – grand
10/31, 11:08 a.m., 6800 block of Gulf Blvd.
10/31, 2:59 p.m., 300 block of 75th Ave.
Theft – petit
10/26, 12 p.m., 4300 block of Gulf Blvd.
Vandalism – criminal mischief
10/26, 6 p.m., 6400 block of 2nd Palm Point St.
South Pasadena
Theft – grand
10/26, 4 p.m., 6700 block of Gulfport Blvd. S.
Theft – petit
10/29, 12:15 p.m., 1000 block of Pasadena Ave. S.
