More arrests in teen prostitution case

PALM HARBOR, Fla. - Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies have arrested two adults, charging them with helping a Palm Harbor man lure teenage girls into prostitution.
 
Mikki Lightsey, 49, and Michael Bowers, 19, were arrested on Thursday night on charges of procuring a minor for prostitution.
 
Deputies say they helped their friend 61-year-old James Perdue groom teenage runaways for prostitution.  Perdue was arrested in May, accused of using the online website Backpage.com to advertise the young girls.  Investigators believe the two teens engaged in sexual acts for money nearly a dozen times with Perdue's help.
 
Deputies say Bowers took pictures of the girls for those online ads.  They believe he also acted as the teens' security during their appointments with paying clients.  Lightsey is accused of teaching the girls how to word their online ads and offered suggestions on where to meet up with clients.  Deputies say she also used her credit card to pay for the ads.
 
Investigators say Lightsey also ran an add on Backpage.com offering her own services.
 
Deputies say the investigation is ongoing and more arrests in the case are possible.