A 32-year-old man is accused of human trafficking following a five-month-long investigation that revealed he reportedly took control of a woman's money, sold her and forced her to participate in numerous acts of prostitution in five Florida counties, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

  • Ryan Poole, 32, of Ocala, accused of human trafficking
  • Crimes took place in 5 Florida counties, detectives said
  • Detectives believe Poole might have other victims

Ryan Gemelle Poole, of Ocala, was arrested and charged with one count of human trafficking, one count of living off earnings of prostitute and one count of public order crimes — using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

The reported acts of prostitution took place in Marion, Alachua, Orange, Hillsborough and Charlotte counties, deputies said.

Detectives said Poole promoted the victim on multiple sex websites and profited from her actions depicted on the websites. Poole also solicited a second woman to participate in the online sexual activities, deputies said. The second woman reportedly decided to separate herself from Poole and his victim after one session.

Poole also forced the victim to perform multiple acts of prostitution and took possession of all the money she was given for the encounters, a report states.

It's the third human trafficking arrest made in the history of the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Prosecutors with the Florida Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution will be the authority for the charges in the case because crimes occurred throughout multiple jurisdictions.

"Human trafficking is an abhorrent crime and the allegations in this care are sickening — further proving that we must do everything we can to eliminate human trafficking in Florida," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.

Detectives believe Poole may have other victims who have not been identified and/or have not yet come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Zackary Hughes at 352-369-6805. People can also call Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP (7867). Reference 16-129 if calling Crime Stoppers.