Vero Beach man, Palm Bay woman charged with human trafficking

FLORIDA – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) said it has arrested an Indian River County man and a Brevard County woman for human trafficking and other charges related to using a child in a sexual performance.

The FDLE said it and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office arrested Marc Phillips Dinkels, 33, of Vero Beach, on two counts of human trafficking and one count each of lewd and lascivious battery, use of a child in sexual performance, unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate the commission of a felony and battery.

The agencies also arrested Taylor Kathleen Brandt, 19, of Palm Bay, on two counts of lewd and lascivious battery and one count each of human trafficking, use of a child in a sexual performance, and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, the FDLE said.

The joint investigation began in March when the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and West Melbourne Police Department asked FDLE and BCSO to take over the case due to jurisdictional considerations.

The FDLE said investigators found that Brandt and Dinkels recruited three juvenile females to perform sex acts with them for money. Allegedly, in several of the instances, Dinkels videotaped the sex acts.

“Predators who take advantage of children like this have no place in our communities, and I hope this arrest sends a warning to anyone else who might seek to exploit Florida’s youth,” said FDLE Acting Commissioner Mark Glass.

“I am proud of the work of our members and our criminal justice partners to ensure these suspects are held accountable for their criminal actions.”

Dinkels was booked into the Indian River Jail, while Brandt was booked into the Brevard County Jail. Both were ordered held without bond pending first appearance.

The case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.