More than a dozen hooked in prostitution sting

Fourteen men and women from around the state, including a man who ran for Sheriff of Putnam County, have been arrested at a St Augustine Beach motel during a four-day undercover operation that targeted men and women soliciting sex or offering sexual favors in return for money through advertising on a social media website.

Reno Chevelle Fells, resigned his position as detective from the Palatka Police Department Sunday, after he was one of the men nabbed in the prostitution sting operation, according to a statement by Assistant Chief James Griffith.

Following leads and complaints recently that local establishments were being used for prostitution, the St Johns County Sheriff’s and St Augustine Beach Police Department launched “Operation Summer Lovin”.

The individuals arrested and charges were:

• Covoz Vonte Byrd, 31, 2891 N. 8th St., Charge of Prostitution. Released on $1,000 bond.
• Sarah Diane Jackson, 28, Pomona Park, Charge of Prostitution. In jail in lieu of $2,500 bond.
• Heather Dawn Eaton, 31, 2010 Julian Ct, Charge of Prostitution and possession of drug paraphernalia.  In jail in lieu of bonds totaling $2,000.
• Melissa Ann Parker, 37, 2001 St. Johns Bluff, Charge of Prostitution and possession of drug paraphernalia.  In jail in lieu of bonds totaling $3,000.
• Kelly Sue Swinehart, 37, 74 Shores Blvd., Charge of Prostitution.  Released on $500 bond.
• Brandy Michelle Cannon, 23, Casselberry, Fl., Charge of Prostitution and Violation of probation.  In jail on no bond.
• Reno Chevelle Fells, 48, Palatka, FL, Charge of Procure for Prostitution. Released on $500 bond.
• Nicholai Blaze Gardner, 22, 1318 Pappy St., Charge with Procure for Prostitution.  Released on $500 bond.
• Anthony John Pacetti, 31, 208 Whisperidge Dr., Charge of Procure for Prostitution.  Released on $500 bond.
• Lemuel Dennis Jackson, 47, 69 Pearl St., Charge of Procure for Prostitution.  Released on $500 bond.
• William Jake Barron, 45, Jacksonville, Charge of Procure for Prostitution.  Released on $500 bond.
• Charmas Jermaine Johnson, 41, 744 Old Logger Way, Charge of Procure for Prostitution.  Released on $500 bond.
• Jacob Richard Hardy, 19, Jacksonville, Charge of Procure for Prostitution.  ROR bond.
• Michael Edward Pritchard, 57, 115 Sunset Harbor Way, Unit 301C, Charge of Procure for Prostitution.  Released on $500 bond.

Undercover detectives placed decoy ads on popular social media websites like Craig’s List and certain dating websites which accept advertising for sexual encounters.  The ads used followed the same format of ads suspected of involving prostitution.

The agencies held a joint press conference this afternoon announcing the results of the sting operation.  Sheriff David Shoar and Chief Robert Hardwick declared the operation a success and hope the message gets to others involved that St Augustine, St Augustine Beach and St Johns County will be watching for this type of activity in the future.