Details released in prostitution bust involving Hagerty H.S. dean

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Investigators released more details in a prostitution sting that nabbed a Seminole County dean.

The Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation said it arrested more than 20 people who responded to ads on back-page.com, including 35-year-old Hagerty High School Dean William Gierke.

Seven of them were pimps and others prostitutes.

The bust happened at a hotel on Semoran Boulevard. The agents who organized the prostitution sting asked WFTV not to reveal the hotel's name so it will continue to help them with the secret operations.

MBI agent Mike Gibson said the busts make central Florida safer.

"The message I would like to send to them is that 'you are never safe,'" Gibson said. "For us, it was just another one of the 23 arrests."

Even after Gierke was arrested, an additional 11 people went to the hotel, allegedly looking for sex.

"They don't see the police cars. They don't see the news trucks, they just don't see anything. They are just focused on picking up that prostitute," said Gibson.

Authorities said Gierke responded to their ad and agreed to meet at a hotel to have sex with two girls for an undisclosed price.

When Gierke arrived at the hotel, he discussed what kind of sex he wanted and pulled out $200 of cash from his back pocket, officials said.

The undercover officer signaled for MBI agents, who came in and arrested Gierke.

Authorities said Gierke was booked into the Orange County Jail about 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Gierke taught and coached at Hagerty High School before he was promoted to dean last year. He is on paid administrative, leave pending the outcome of the case.

WFTV