Fired Brevard deputies were clients in prostitution ring

Two Brevard County Sheriff's deputies have been fired after investigators found their names linked to an alleged prostitution ring that was part of a case that led to an earlier shooting of another deputy.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey, in a hastily called news conference Sunday morning in Titusville, didn't release the deputies' names or any other specifics that would indicate their identities. He did say one was a 14-year-member of the department while the other had been with the department for about two years. The case has been turned over to State Attorney Phil Archer who will make the decision whether or not to file charges against the two deputies.

"I'm absolutely disgusted by the actions of these two individuals," Ivey said. "I'm absolutely disgusted by two people who took the oath of office to protect our citizens, violated their oaths, and quite frankly did everything they could to embarrass themselves and the great profession they serve."

The deputies termination is linked to an alleged prostitution ring in which sheriff's deputy John "Casey" Smith was critically wounded as investigators sought to make arrest a Port St. John home last month.

Smith, who is recovering from his wounds, was among officers who went to a Covina Street residence with Agents Jason Roberts and Peter Snead, who were investigating a complaint that prostitution was taking place at the home. Working undercover, Agent Snead had arranged to meet a female suspect, Mary Derossett, believed to be the niece of 65-year-old John Franklin Derossett.

Snead went to the door and made arrangements with the woman. Smith and Roberts announced themselves as agents to make an arrest. That's when, according to authorities, John Derossett began firing at the agents, striking Smith. John Derossett also was shot by Smith before the deputy collapsed.

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Brevard deputy, suspect identified in shooting

At his Sunday news conference, Ivey said as agents and crime scene team members were going through files - including ledgers, text messages, phone records - associated with the prostitution ring, several names of alleged clients in that ring came to light over the past few weeks, including the names of the two dismissed deputies. The deputies names in association with the investigation popped up within the last 10 days. Investigators took the names to their superiors and, ultimately, Ivey. Then the deputies immediately were asked to turn in their badges and guns, and were terminated.

No other law enforcement officers' names are believed to be associated with the alleged prostitution ring.

Ivey said he couldn't release their names, or more detail on the two individuals, because of "statutory provisions and policy about everything that took place." While he knows the two deputies, Ivey said he hasn't had any contact with them since their names became part of the investigation. In their official duties, the two deputies were not involved in any part of the alleged prostitution ring before, or after, Smith's shooting.

Ivey said he spoke with Archer and is recommending the two men be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. He also has been in contact with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to have the two men stripped of any professional certifications "so they can never work as law enforcement officers again."

"To be quite honest with you," Ivey said, "it's my goal to dishonor them as much as possible. In fact, they dishonored themselves and I'm going to help them along the path."

As for Smith's condition, Ivey said he spoke with his doctors last Wednesday and he is expected to be released from the hospital around Sept. 20. Smith is eating solid foods and is doing much better but has a long rehabilitation process in front of him.

"They are very impressed with his progress," Ivey said.

Contact Price at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com.