Florida Prostitution Bust Brings in Cash for Cops

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. --

The Daytona Beach Shores Police Department is getting nearly $11,000 because of a huge prostitution ring bust. They arrested more than 40 people in December because of the seven-month operation.

The arrests ranged from racketeering and money laundering to prostitution, as well as the seizure of over $75,000 in assets. Investigators said the suspects were working out of massage parlors in Daytona Beach Shores and Indian River County.

Many of the prostitutes arrested were 60 years old or older. Police said they were operating their brothel out of an apartment on A-1-A and, even though they're out of business, clients keep knocking on the door.

The new tenant told Eyewitness News that he is sick of it. Residents are still trying to ward off potential customers.

A sign reading "no massage" was posted on Patrick Kubik's front door in order to keep would-be clients from coming by.

"First day we moved in, not even four hours after, someone came knocking at the door, 'Massage? Massage? Massage?'" Kubik said.

Kubik moved in earlier this year, unaware that Mirta Okonski used to use the place as a full service brothel. Using advertisements in the local newspaper and online, Okonski drew "Johns" to four locations between Vero Beach and Daytona Beach Shores. Police broke it up in December, arrested Okonski and at least eight other women.

"It was just like one after the next, after the next, after the next," said Kubik.

The Public Safety Department received nearly $11,000 from cash hidden away in multiple bank accounts used for the busy operation.

"We were seeing as many as eight to ten people coming in visiting with each girl per day," said Sergeant Mike Fowler of the Daytona Beach Shores Police Department.

The money the department received from the bust will be used to purchase tools for more investigations in Daytona Beach Shores and given to crime prevention non-profit groups.

Investigators said there is still one woman on the run and there may be some connections to operations in South America, as well.