Sunflower Farmers Market CEO Michael Gilliland Arrested in Child Prostitution Sting

Arizona authorities arrested Sunflower Farmers Market CEO Michael Gilliland last week in connection with a child prostitution investigation. Phoenix police say the 52-year-old arranged to meet and pay an underage girl for sex last Thursday. Gilliland has been charged with felony child prostitution.

Eight other people were arrested in the investigation. Their identities have not been released. Gilliland has reportedly maintained he is innocent of the charges against him. He resigned as CEO of Sunflower Farmers Market on Saturday.

Sunflower president and COO Chris Sherrell has taken over as acting CEO. “Sunflower appreciates the respect that Mr. Gilliland has shown for the company by his action, so that his personal affairs will not affect the company," Sherrell said in the statement.

Before founding Sunflower Farmers Market in 2002, Gilliland founded Wild Oats Markets, which was bought by Whole Foods in 2007.

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