Police expect more arrests in prostitution bust involving restaurant owner

DELAND, Fla. — A former DeLand restaurant operator was arrested, along with a DeBary couple, on a variety of charges, including using an underage girl for prostitution.

Restaurant owner Robert Richards was arrested on Wednesday.

However, WFTV's Angela Jacobs found out that the girl was also prostituted out to other men, who have not been arrested.

Investigators said a tip from a witness launched a seven-month county and federal investigation that ended in the arrest of Richards, along with Michael Graves, 50, and his wife, Cynthia Graves, 49.

Investigators said Richards paid the couple to provide him with a 15-year-old girl he could pay for various sex acts. They said they believe the sex acts took place in Richards' home as well as at the now-closed Fresh Off the Hook restaurant, which Richards owned.

"This poor girl -- she was taken advantage of and violated in every possible way. It's just awful. It's despicable what happened to her," said Gary Davidson, of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

A report details several informants who helped facilitate the bust, including another woman, who also worked as a prostitute with Cynthia Graves and the underage girl.

She told investigators about two more clients, a 46-year-old man named "Wes," from DeBary, and "Reggie," a married member of the U.S. military, who lives in Sanford. Authorities said Reggie regularly paid for sex with both Graves and the young girl.

According to reports, there was rampant narcotic use by Cynthia and Michael Graves as well as accusations they repeatedly injected drugs into the 15-year-old.

A former employee of Richards said, "He's a dirty old man. Creepy—I mean he's a pig, to be honest with you."

"Had it not been reported to us, who knows how much longer this would have gone on," said Davidson.

Investigators believe there could be more victims.

Jacobs found out Richards worked in the concession stand for a sports complex where children play baseball and softball.

Workers at the City of DeBary Ball Fields on West Highbanks Road immediately took action and changed the locks even though the season is over.

“The only people who have the codes are the city directors at this point,” said president of West Volusia County’s Athletic Club, Tommy Grimm.

Grimm said Richards cleared their mandatory background check when his Wings and Things concession company contracted with the nonprofit league in the fall.

WFTV