The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
According to reports, 33-year-old Marc Phillip Dinkels and 19-year-old Taylor Kathleen Brandt met online. They reportedly began to spend time together after Dinkels allegedly told Brandt he would pay her to engage in sexual activity if he was allowed to film it.
It was reported that the pair went on social media and offered three underage girls money if they performed sex acts. Two of the alleged victims, one of whom is 14, live in a foster home.
An employee at the foster home saw one of the girls showing something on her cell phone to another child. The worker approached and reported that she saw pictures and videos of the juvenile taking drugs, drinking alcohol, and engaging in sexual activities.
The authorities were notified, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement began an investigation with the help of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators watched the video that was on the girl’s phone, and they reported that they also read text messages showing what they assumed were prices for sexual encounters.
The authorities asserted that Dinkels and Brandt were the pair involved in the illegal activities.
On July 13, Dinkels was placed under arrest and booked into the Indian River County Jail. He is facing charges for two counts of human trafficking and one count each of lewd and lascivious battery, unlawful sexual activity with minors, use of a child in sexual performance, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate the commission of a felony and battery.
Three days later, Brandt was taken into custody and booked into the Brevard County Jail on two counts of lewd and lascivious battery and one count each of human trafficking, use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, and use of a child in a sexual performance.
Dinkels and Brandt are both being held without bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.