My Office of Statewide Prosecution today filed charges against a Lee County man for one count of human trafficking. Shawn Anthony Lewis, 35, is currently incarcerated due to a conviction in a statewide prostitution ring. During the investigation of that prostitution ring, Collier County law enforcement officers discovered a human trafficking victim, who was allegedly forced to engage in prostitution in state and out of state. According to the investigation, Lewis used threats, intimidation and coercion to control the victim and force her into sexual activity in Collier, Lee, Sarasota, and Hillsborough counties. Lewis allegedly blackmailed the victim by threatening to send sexual videos of her to her family and the Department of Children and Families in order to try to get them to take her two-year-old child. We will not tolerate human trafficking in Florida, and my Office of Statewide Prosecution will continue to aggressively prosecute cases of human trafficking.
In closing, let us celebrate this Independence Day by appreciating the values of our Founding Fathers who built this great country that we live in. As Americans, we must always appreciate the freedom, opportunities, equality and justice that we enjoy each day. These liberties were established and defended by generations of brave men and women. As we celebrate our independence, let us all reflect on the military members who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces. Their tremendous courage and sacrifice has given us liberty.
In closing, let us celebrate this Independence Day by appreciating the values of our Founding Fathers who built this great country that we live in. As Americans, we must always appreciate the freedom, opportunities, equality and justice that we enjoy each day. These liberties were established and defended by generations of brave men and women. As we celebrate our independence, let us all reflect on the military members who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces. Their tremendous courage and sacrifice has given us liberty.