St. Petersburg man and Beverly Hills woman charged with trafficking a juvenile for sex
Mugshots: Holmes (left) and Butler (right).
Citrus County, Florida - Two people were arrested this week as the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE): 38 year-old Candy Lee Holmes of Beverly Hills, Florida, and 28 year-old Dourian Emmanuel Butler of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Late last year, on November 3, 2022, the CCSO was informed about a juvenile victim who had disclosed being involved in sexual activity with Mr. Butler. Detective Jonathan Richey with the CCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) began an investigation of the allegations.
During an interview at Jessie's Place, the Citrus County Child Advocacy Center, the juvenile victim told a Child Protection Team (CPT) interviewer that he/she had engaged in sexual activity with Butler in both Citrus and Levy counties. The victim told the interviewer that Ms. Holmes had introduced him/her to Butler and arranged for them to meet at a hotel. The investigation revealed that Holmes had received money from Butler, in exchange for leaving the victim with him at the hotel.
Due to the criminal acts taking place in two counties, and suspect Butler living in St. Petersburg, Detective Richey contacted the FDLE to assist in the investigation. Special Agent Dodi Pruitt was assigned to this case and worked with the CCSO to develop probable cause to obtain warrants for the arrest of both Holmes and Butler.
Mr. Butler was arrested by the St. Petersburg Police Department on the Citrus County warrant charging him with human trafficking, two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, traveling to meet a minor for sex, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, with his total bond set at $95,000. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater, Florida on February 3, 2023.
Ms. Holmes was arrested on a Citrus County warrant for two counts of human trafficking, two counts of child neglect deriving support from proceeds, and two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication device. She was booked into the Citrus County Detention Facility on February 2, 2023, with her bond set at $130,000.
The case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Ashley Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution.
"This case is an appalling example of how human traffickers exploit children for both sexual gratification and financial gain," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "Holmes used her position of trust with this child to profit financially from the sexual exploitation of the victim, while Butler traveled and paid for sex with this minor. By working in partnership with FDLE and CPT, Detective Richey helped ensure that these predators will not be able to harm another child in our community."