BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
A Pinellas County man who reportedly violated the terms of his probation is facing 20 years in prison. However, his attorney has asked the judge to reduce the sentence.
Charles Melvin Fox, 38, was arrested in July 2011 on numerous charges that included sex trafficking, deriving support from the proceeds of prostitutions, and unlawful use of two-way communications, among others.
According to Tampa Police Detective Mike Victor, the victims were very afraid of Fox and agreed to a plea agreement. Fox was given 10 years of probation on the charges. He was sentenced in January 30, 2012.
“He was given a very, very, very lenient sentence. Some of the girls had started new lives, some had formed successful relationships, and they just didn’t want to relive it. He ruined their lives. So they agreed to the plea agreement,” Detective Victor said.
Detective Victor said Fox came on his radar in 2009 while he was investigating other cases of sex trafficking. He said Fox had about 6 women he was forcing into prostitution at that time.
Earlier this year, Tampa Police were called to the Scores Gentlemen’s Club on North Dale Mabry in reference to a fight. Detective Victor said when police arrived, Fox had his shirt off and was very uncooperative with police. The officer noted that Fox was on probation and had left Pinellas County.
Detective Victor said the club, among others was one of the places Fox recruited women for prostitution. He also said Fox transported women across state lines to commit the crime.
“I tracked him all across the country beginning in 2009. He came here from California, and was active in prostitution for at least a couple of years before that.”
Two weeks after the fight at the strip club, Fox was once again out of Pinellas County without permission when the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reportedly stopped and ticketed him on a traffic infraction, Detective Victor said.
According to jail records, Fox was arrested on March 28th and charged with violation of probation. He appeared before Hillsborough County Judge Chet Thorpe on May 21st, and was sentenced to 20 years in Florida State Prison.
Mark Cox, spokesman for the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said the judge can agree to the reduction of the sentence or decide to let it stand. If he lets it stand, then the attorney representing Fox will have to file an appeal to the sentence.
