***Update as of 5:30 p.m. on 1/24/2019***

St. Petersburg Woman Sentenced To Life In Prison Following 2016 Arrest For Human Trafficking Of A Minor

On January 24, 2019, a jury found 35-year-old Katilia Seymour guilty of Human Trafficking. Seymour was sentenced to life in prison.

Pinellas detectives arrested Seymour on October 28, 2016, after they learned Seymour was prostituting a 14-year-old female to men in exchange for money.  

Original booking photo attached.

***End of Update***

***Original News Release***

Detectives Arrest Woman For Human Trafficking Of A Minor In Pinellas County

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Crimes Against Children Unit

Katilia Brekeysha Seymour (Arrested)
DOB: 10/28/1983
Address: 620 53^rd Avenue South, St. Petersburg
Charges: 1 count of Human Trafficking (Child Under 18)

Victim is a 14-year-old female. Per Florida Statute 119.071(2)(h)1, no further information will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a woman for human trafficking of a minor in Pinellas County.

When:
Detectives began their investigation on October 20, 2016.

The suspect was arrested on October 28, 2016.

Where:
The crime occurred in Pinellas County.

How/Why:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a woman for human trafficking of a minor in Pinellas County.

According to detectives, their investigation began on October 20, 2016, when the 14-year-old female victim informed them that she was having sexual encounters with men for money.

The victim informed detectives that she ran away from her home on October 2, 2016, and needed a place to stay when she was introduced to the suspect, 33-year-old Katilia Seymour.

Seymour rented a motel room for the victim; and in return, the victim agreed to engage in prostitution. Seymour took photographs of the victim wearing only panties and a tank top and posted the images on the backpage.com webpage for the purpose of promoting prostitution.

Detectives say men responded to the advertisements and each paid $180 to have sexual relations with the victim. Seymour would then collect more than half of the money for herself.

Through various investigative techniques, detectives were able to corroborate the victim’s allegations.

On October 28, 2016, detectives interviewed Seymour at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Seymour was arrested and transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Seymour was charged with Human Trafficking (Child Under 18).

The victim was placed in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

The investigation continues.  

Booking photo of Katilia Brekeysha Seymour