America’s Most Wanted Feature Leads to Tips About Suspect

More than 12 leads have come in locally and from across the country since a feature on an alleged Tampa sex criminal aired on America’s Most Wanted Saturday.

And investigators with the Clearwater Area Task Force Against Human Trafficking including the Immigration and Customs Enforcement think some of the tips about Eric Antwan Bell could lead to his arrest.

“We’re feeling confidant that the tips we have and any additional local tips," said Dani Bennett, spokeswoman for ICE. "That will definitely help lead to his capture."

Bell was last seen near Tampa on Feb. 2 driving a black Ford sport utility vehicle, possibly an Excursion or Expedition.

He's 5 feet, 9 inches tall and approximately 185 pounds. He has road rash scars from a motorcycle accident and a tattoo across his chest reading, "Eric loves Vickie."

Bell is wanted on charges including sex trafficking of a minor, producing child pornography and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

A 23-page criminal complaint against Bell was filed in federal court in Tampa on Jan. 3, 2011.

In the complaint, Bell is alleged to have “pimped” a 15-year-old runaway as well as other minor girls from a Tampa home beginning as early as November 2009.

Bell used Craigslist and other Internet sites to solicit “work” for his prostitution business, according to the complaint.

One girl recounted that she performed 15 to 20 sexual acts each day for up to $200 each bringing in nearly $50,000 for Bell in three weeks, according to the complaint.

Bell, a convicted felon, wore a gun in his waistband, had other rifles and firearms around the house, sold drugs and had a recreational vehicle plastered with Tampa Bay Buccaneers memorabilia, according to the complaint.

Bell's criminal past includes felony convictions for cocaine possession.

Bell's case was profiled on Amerca's Most Wanted on June 11.

“Our goal is to catch this guy one way or the other,” Bennett said. “We’re tracking a number of different leads inside and outside the counties.”

The Clearwater Area Task Force Against Human Trafficking includes investigators from the Clearwater Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

If you have information related to Bell, officials are asking you to call ICE at (813) 357-7130 or Clearwater Police at (727) 562-4916, or visit catfht.org.