Psychiatrist Ramarao Makkena arrested in prostitution sting

June 15, 2011

A local psychiatrist was arrested along with more than a dozen others in an internet sex sting run by Kissimmee police last week, records show.

Dr. Ramaro Makkena, who has a child-and-adolescent practice on West Vine Street, was arrested Friday on prostitution-related charges after entering a decoy house set up for the week-long investigation, according to police.

"Prostitution can bring with it drug related crimes, robbery and burglary," Police Chief Fran Iwanski said in a statement released Monday. "By conducting operations like this one, we are taking steps on curtailing these types of crimes within the City of Kissimmee."

Besides prostitution, detectives targeted unlicensed contractors by trying to lure them to the undisclosed residence to make repairs, the report stated.

"The detectives had all the appliances in the home inspected by a master electrician to ensure they were working properly. The detectives then unplugged the dryer and placed service calls to handyman services on the dryer," the report stated. "The elderly decoy would explain to the handyman the dryer was not working."

Javier Medina, 46, was accused of fraud after spending an hour taking apart a clothes dryer, putting it back together and charging $60 without explaining his repairs, according to the report.

Police sent a recommendation that he be charged with organized fraud less than $300 by the Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office.

"On the positive side, handyman John Deja plugged in the dryer and gave the decoy a reduced service call rate. Mr. Deja was contacted by the detectives and was commended for his honesty," the report said.

"It is important to hire only licensed, reputable contractors to do work in your home," Iwanski said. "The Better Business Bureau is an excellent tool to use when deciding who is trustworthy enough to allow into your home."

Dr. Makkena, who charged with assignation of prostitution and entering a dwelling for prostitution, was released Friday on $500 bail from the Osceola County Jail. He could not be reached immediately Monday afternoon at his office.

Fifteen others were arrested on similar charges, according to police.

Source: Henry Pierson Curtis, "Kissimmee police arrest psychiatrist, 15 others in sex sting," Orlando Sentinel, June 13, 2011.