Midland Man Pimps Out Underage Runaways in Hotel

ODESSA, TX - According to a local news source, on October 27, 42-year-old Irick Dron Oneal was arrested after an FBI operation unveiled the illegal prostitution operation he was running.

Oneal was discovered after an undercover agent answered an online ad and was instructed to meet up at a hotel in Odessa. After the undercover agent entered the room with the girl, and she agreed to perform sexual acts in exchange for money, the agent called it in.

The girl was questioned, but she refused to state who she was working for. Her records indicated she was a repeat runaway from Child Protective Services in Amarillo for the last three years. Her fake ID listed her as being 19 years old.

The agents resumed their observations and soon discovered Oneal appeared to be “acting reasonably suspicious in the vicinity of the hotel,” and was detained for questioning.

The news source reported that Oneal confessed to meeting the girl through another pimp, but maintained that he had no prior knowledge she was a minor. A woman was also arrested after the investigation revealed she was involved in posting the ads online and transporting the girl and other women to the hotel to engage in prostitution. She confessed to being involved, but continued to claim she was unaware of the girl’s age.

The underage girls were instructed to give Oneal and the woman the money they earned in exchange for a place to sleep, food, clothes and basic needs.

No other names have been released as the investigation is ongoing.

“The FBI is still investigating other individuals associated with this trafficking group,” said Brendan Griffin, supervisory senior resident agent with the FBI.

Further investigation revealed Oneal had over 40 pages of criminal history that includes first-degree felony kidnapping, pandering a child, furnishing dangerous drugs to a minor, prostitution, commercializing sex, abuse/neglect/endanger of a child and others. Oneal initially admitted to prior charges of possession of crack cocaine and a marijuana charge to appear cooperative, said the news source.