The Orlando, Fla. Norfolk is a hotbed of Internet-arranged prostitution on the East Coast, vice investigators say. The aim? Ultimately, to catch the men orchestrating the networks. Stings have netted well-heeled professionals, teachers, ministers and military officers. A married attorney from a large Hampton Roads law firm was among those arrested in one of the stings witnessed by The Pilot. Now Backpage. Hookers come from all over to work the region.
A potential client calls a phone number listed in an ad, shows up at an arranged meeting place and negotiates a price and services. Officers must apply to join the unit, where supervisors determine whether those accepted will be assigned to the drugs or prostitution divisions. Once there, they must become accustomed to carrying out stings at least once a week, usually more often.
In the sting that led to the woman from Florida, an undercover male officer printed ads from Backpage. She tells him to walk up to the balcony. Her cell phone rings. After they agree to trade a sex act for cash, the officer goes to the bathroom. He rushes out, asks if she was expecting someone and opens the door. Officers come in and arrest her. They begin questioning Samantha. She gives police permission to search her room, phone and computer.
In fact, she says, she has just a few hundred dollars on her and had spent several days in Norfolk after driving from Connecticut.
Samantha, whose online ad says she is 23, is actually Jennifer Lynn Wheeler, 25, from Orlando. Wheeler is taken into the bathroom and sits on the toilet in handcuffs while a detective holds a glass of water for her to drink. Police write him a summons for the misdemeanor; his court date is in January. He takes it and drives off.
