Attorney General James Uthmeier Secures Guilty Conviction of Club Owner Involved in Trafficking Ring

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier's Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a guilty conviction for a club owner involved in an organized drug and human trafficking ring in Tampa. Ioannis Pahoumis was found guilty on charges including racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, trafficking in cocaine, and other felonies.

"Thanks to the assistance of our law enforcement partners and the hard work of Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Debra Bell and Ryan Shaw, we have secured a guilty conviction of a club owner at the center of a drug and human trafficking ring," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "By going after criminals and holding them accountable, we can continue making our home safe, strong, and free."

Tampa Police began the undercover investigation to look into drug sales and human trafficking occurring at Pahoumis's club, Risque Gentlemen's Club. During numerous undercover operations, authorities made multiple drug purchases from dancers and employees and also received offers for commercial sex acts. The investigation uncovered many indications of Pahoumis's involvement in the criminal acts as the club owner.

Pahoumis was found guilty of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, trafficking in cocaine more than 28 grams, conspiracy to commit trafficking in cocaine more than 28 grams, and money laundering more than $100,000.

Pahoumis is scheduled for sentencing on May 27th in Hillsborough County.

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