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Vincent Gregory and Elena Sosa. {BSO}

Margate police say 13 people were found inside a home converted into makeshift rooms with hourly rate signs during a raid tied to an alleged prostitution operation.

According to Margate Police Department records, Vinson Gregory, 69, and Elena Sosa, 38, of Pompano Beach, were taken into custody on March 20, when members of the Margate Police Department’s Special Operations Division executed a search warrant at his residence near the 390 block of Southwest 61st Avenue.

According to investigators, the home, listed as a two-bedroom, two-bathroom property, had been significantly altered inside to accommodate multiple occupants, allegedly to facilitate illegal activity.

Detectives reported that the living room had been converted into a sleeping area with two twin beds. The dining room had been enclosed using makeshift plywood walls and a closet door, with a blanket hung for privacy, effectively creating another room within the home.

Inside that enclosed space, investigators said they found a sign advertising both monthly rent and hourly rates. The sign read: “ROOM 4 RENT. 1st Month’s Rent Only to Move In! $500 Monthly,” followed by pricing that included “$60 hourly” and “$20 for 15 minutes,” suggesting the room was being used for short-term stays consistent with prostitution.

Detectives also noted items inside the room that they believed were consistent with prostitution activity, including a bottle containing a thick, clear liquid stored inside an orange juice container, a bottle of Astroglide lubricant, and multiple drawers filled with lingerie.

Other parts of the home had also been repurposed. The electrical room had been converted into a bedroom with a bed, while a closet in the master bedroom had been similarly turned into a sleeping area.

In the master bedroom itself, investigators said they discovered what appeared to be a small “store” operating out of a cabinet and refrigerator. Payment instructions were posted, listing ways to send Sosa a digital payment via Venmo and Cash App.

Sosa, who faces drug charges, reportedly told detectives she helped “run the house” by selling snacks and drinks.

When officers executed the warrant, a total of 13 people were found inside the home. Several individuals told detectives that the room with a posted hourly pricing sign was being used for sexual activity. Some also referred to Gregory as “the owner,” and investigators noted that portraits of him were displayed in the living room.

The conditions inside the home aligned with what detectives said they had observed during weeks of surveillance. According to the affidavit, police received multiple anonymous complaints in February and March alleging prostitution and drug sales at the residence. Officers then conducted extended surveillance and reported a high volume of foot and vehicle traffic, with between 20 and 30 different individuals seen coming and going over a six-week period.

Police also responded to at least five separate calls for service at the home during that time, including incidents involving an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a disturbance, a stolen vehicle, and a trespassing complaint.

Both Gregory and Sosa were taken into custody and transported to the Broward County Main Jail.

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Author Profile

Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.