Two of the three Orlando men accused of abusing and forcing women into the commercial sex trade faced a judge Friday morning.
Richard Rawls, 75, and James King, 50, appeared before a judge. Rawls received a $400,000 bond and King, a $300,000 bond.
Investigators said Rawls was using the home near the Washington shores area as ground zero for his prostitution ring. Despite claims Rawles made Thursday that there were as many as 25 women at the home, investigators said there were only two.
“Over time there were most likely more than 25,” said Lt. Michael Gibson with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigations.
Back in the neighborhood off Ivy Lane, Rawles’ home is now empty. The high-priced cars which filled the driveway and front yard are gone and neighbors are still in a tailspin.
“You would never guess that there was human trafficking going on in this neighborhood or behind my house,” said neighbor Yolanda Rivers.
“I was surprised for it to be in our area," said neighbor Romeo Kinsler. "We noticed a lot of cars and I know people go in and out but you never know what is going on back there because you really never see them.”
But investigators were watching. For nearly two years, they were piecing together the human trafficking case against Rawles, King and Wilbert Shaver, who is currently hospitalized.
Lt. Gibson said pimps can now be prosecuted for human trafficking because laws have been strengthened to allow law enforcement to go after anyone who forces another into the commercial sex trade.
At last check both Rawls and King remained behind bars. Before posting bond they must be able to prove the money did not come from illegal activity.
Human trafficking is a growing problem in Florida.
The Department of Children and Families received nearly 1,000 human trafficking complaints last year.
That number grew from the previous year. And it's nearly double the complaints made two years ago.
A DCF estimate shows most of the state's human trafficking victims are underage.