Daytona Beach deputy city manager charged in prostitution sting

Gary Shimun resigned during investigation

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A charge has been filed against resigned Daytona Beach Deputy City Manager Gary Shimun stemming from a prostitution sting that took place earlier this month, according to the State Attorney's Office.

An undercover detective with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office posed as a woman named "Summer" in an ad in the escort section of Backpage.com, which is known to be used for prostitution, according to WKMG-TV in Orlando.

Deputies said Shimun texted the phone number on the ad, asking to meet up with Summer for sex at a hotel on A1A on Dec. 14. The undercover detective told Shimun it would be $100 for half an hour of service but she could charge him $75 if he arrived at the hotel quickly, according to text messages provided by the sheriff's office.

When Shimum arrived at the hotel room, the undercover officer said she'd need the money before she could begin the service. Shimum pulled the money out of his pocket then put it back in, deputies said. When "Summer" asked him to set the money on the table so she could verify it was all there, Shimum became suspicious and left the room, according to a charging affidavit.

Two Daytona Beach Shores police officers pulled over Shimum shortly after the encounter at the hotel, but Shimum invoked his right to remain silent and was allowed to leave the scene since investigators were still reviewing the evidence against him, the affidavit said.

Shimum resigned Dec. 16, as the State Attorney's Office investigated the case to determine if formal charges should be filed.

A city spokeswoman told The Daytona Beach News-Journal that Shimum's resignation was accepted and he will be let go after his accrued vacation time is completed on Jan. 13.

Shimum is charged with offering to commit prostitution, lewdness or assignation -- a second-degree misdemeanor.