FORT MYERS, Fla., - Seven men were arrested and charged after a Fort Myers Police prostitution bust along U.S. 41 in Lee County. The men agreed to undercover detectives they'd have sex for money.
The suspects range in age from 26 to 72 years old.
"41 is notorious for that," said Tyrone Williams, who frequently shops on the busy road.
Others say this bust highlights a bigger problem.
"That's seven guys but you got to realize how many more guys are getting away with this if there's not an undercover sting," said Anthony Reid, a Fort Myers resident.
Arrested were 70-year-old Pasquale Verrilli, 47-year-old David Stewart, 26-year-old Darryl Grady, 29-year-old Eduardo Trujillo-Hernandez, 34-year-old Fredy Escobar, 72-year-old John Pueschel, and 45-year-old Timothy Manett.
They were all charged with procuring a prostitute.
PHOTO GALLERY: Fort Myers men busted for hiring prostitutes
Fort Myers Police targeted a three and a half mile stretch of Cleveland Avenue from Edison Road to the city limits at Page Field Wednesday.
One woman tells Four In Your Corner's Tony Sadiku she's been approached by a random guy to have sex for money while running an errand on U.S.41.
Business owners on U.S. 41 also say it's no secret or surprise men and women are engaging in prostitution nearby.
"The women have been around a long time. It's just a cycle that unfortunately they're going to have to keep cracking at it and going at it, doing their job," Williams said.
All of the men have since bonded out of jail.
