According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, a Panama City man is behind bars with several charges relating to sex trafficking, child pornography, and promotion of a sexual performance by a child.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a report earlier this week, stating that Damarcus King, age 25, of Panama City, was arrested after an investigation was initiated by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the department, the sheriff’s office had turned the investigation and case over to state law enforcement, as multiple jurisdictions were involved and the case had expanded past Bay County lines.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says that an investigation revealed that King had transported a minor from Bay County to a hotel in Gadsden County, where he had sex with her.
State investigators reported that King had also uploaded nude photos of the minor online, and had arranged for another man to also have sex with her at the hotel.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says that King received money from the second man as part of this arrangement.
With assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, and the Perry Police Department, King was arrested on May 7 and booked into the Taylor County Detention Facility, where he was given a no-bond status, pending his first court appearance.
King was booked on the charges of sex trafficking, lew or lascivious battery, promotion of sexual performance by a child, transmission of pornography by electronic device, and interference with child custody.
The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 2nd Judicial Circuit.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the minor victim was safely recovered by law enforcement.
Ashley Hunter – editor@gadsdencountynews.com
