Lake Worth couple charged with running prostitution out of apartment

LAKE WORTH, Fla. — Authorities arrested a Lake Worth duo Thursday after they were accused of offering sex for $25 while playing the role of pimp and prostitute.

Miguel Gomez Miranda, 51, is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail in lieu of $8,500 bond. He is facing charges of living off the earnings of a prostitute.

Meanwhile, 35-year-old Sandra Peralta, who is facing prostitution charges, was released on her own recognizance. Though Circuit Court Judge Mark Eissey offered her the option to plead guilty and pay a fine, a lack of understanding on her behalf forced him to set a hearing for a later date while releasing her from the county jail.

Peralta and Gomez were arrested by Palm Beach County Sheriff's investigators on Thursday after a tip from a "concerned citizen" on Dec. 22 about a possible prostitution house in the 100 block of South F Street. The citizen told deputies that at night "numerous males are coming and going from the rear apartment", and that Gomez would stand by the door on his cell phone "greeting the males coming in the house."

On Thursday, a sheriff's sergeant posed as a potential client during an undercover operation. He told Gomez that he learned of the house because "I live next door," according to the probable cause affidavit. Gomez allegedly said he had "one girl working tonight." He then said "it's $25 for sex," after he was asked by the undercover sergeant, the affidavit stated.

After Gomez exchanged $40 for a wingnut, and told the undercover sergeant that he'd return the change when "he is done," Peralta and Gomez were taken into custody.