Prostitution sting leads to rescue of teen forced into sex trade

Three bay area women were offering their bodies for a price, and one was also offering a minor child for sex, Hillsborough Sheriff's deputies said.

Martine Schaefer, Tamara Sidders and Donna House were all charged with prostitution. They were arrested following a sting in Tampa, Tuesday night.

House was also charged with procuring a minor for prostitution. "House approached an undercover detective and offered to perform a sex act for $300," Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. "She had a 17-year-old with her to take part."

Sheriff's Major Donna Lusczynski said the undercover operation targeted teen prostitutes and is part of the FBI's Operation Innocence initiative. The initiative seeks to rescue children who have been coerced or forced into prostitution.

"We've noticed a significant increase in domestic sex trafficking across Tampa Bay in the last several years," Lusczynski said. "Children...under the age of 18."

Lusczynski says the teen prostitute is considered a victim was not charged. The state is trying to reunite the girl with her family. The FBI says at least 25 teens have been rescued from the sex trade in Tampa Bay since its initiative began.