A Clearwater man is accused of imprisoning five people in his house and abusing them.

Jeffrey Keowin, 37, was arrested last week. He is facing charges of false imprisonment, two counts of sexual battery and one count of human trafficking.



According to Clearwater police, Keowin invited his victims to live with him in his house on Osceola Avenue, then took control of their money and wouldn't let them leave. Police said he targeted people who are underage and people with mental disabilities.



His victims include a 51-year-old woman and her 20-year-old son, a 38-year-old woman and her 17-year-old son, and a 17-year-old girl.



Police said some of the victims had been with Keowin for up to nine months, while some had moved in a few weeks ago. Keowin allegedly met some of the victims in Indiana and brought them to Clearwater.



Keowin is accused of physically battering the victims and forcing the 38-year-old woman into prostitution. Police said he sexually assaulted two of the victims in front of the others.



In addition, police said Keowin restricted their access to food and other essentials, and refused to allow them access to medical treatment for diabetes or psychological conditions. They were barred from contacting friends and relatives, and were not allowed to use a phone outside of his presence, police said.



Police became aware of the situation when some of the victims escaped from the house while Keowin slept, then called police from a neighbor's house.



Keowin was booked into the Pinellas County Jail. Bond was set at $165,000.



Anyone with more information about this case is asked to call Clearwater Police at 727-562-4242.