The document, released Friday, outlines the relationship between Steven Lorenzo of Tampa and Scott Schweickert of Peru, Ill., two self-described sexual dominants. It also describes the smothering of Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz - who vanished in Tampa in December 2003 - the dismemberment of Galehouse and the disposal of Wachholtz's body.

Lorenzo and Schweickert are being held without bail in Hillsborough County jails on federal drug charges. Neither has been charged in the deaths of Galehouse and Wachholtz.

``People in the civilian world say, `Hey, why aren't you charging [them]?' '' said Rose, a criminal law professor at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport.

With a complex case, however, prosecutors are often meticulous about assembling evidence to ``get it right the first time,'' Rose said. The drug charges give investigators time to corroborate allegations Schweickert made against Lorenzo in the affidavit, he said. Rose has followed media reports of the case but read the affidavit online Wednesday at The Tampa Tribune's request.

``This is a long-term investigation into the dominant, bondage subculture,'' Rose said. ``You've got a couple of homosexual men who are preying upon other homosexual men. If it's true, it's incredibly explosive. If I were the U.S. attorney, I would make sure I had everything in line'' before proceeding further.

Tuesday, Lorenzo's attorney, Donald Harrison, questioned the merits of the allegations, which surfaced when the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration charged Schweickert on Friday with being an accessory to a crime involving drugs.

The affidavit described a June 2, 2004, search of Lorenzo's house at 213 W. Powhatan Ave. Investigators said they discovered gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, a depressant known as a ``date-rape drug,'' methamphetamines, restraints, photos of more than 20 men in various stages of bondage and a folder of newspaper clippings about local missing people.

Lorenzo was indicted in November on several charges involving ``drug-facilitated crimes of violence,'' accusing him of drugging and raping several men.

Lorenzo is promiscuous, Harrison said. He denies raping or killing anyone.

Court papers show the DEA knew in January 2004 about Tampa police reports alleging the sexual assaults, but agents did not apply successfully for a search warrant until May 2004.

That time lapse, Harrison said, could undermine the federal case. He cited a civil lawsuit where a Tampa police detective accused Hillsborough County State Attorney Mark Ober of denying his original search warrant application in January 2004 because of a personal dispute.

Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy disputed that Tuesday, saying the original application was denied because of a lack of evidence.

The case detailed in the affidavit appears to have ``more than enough evidence'' to proceed beyond drug charges, Rose said. The allegations, however, are Schweickert's version of events, which must be proved before additional charges can be filed, he said.

``The trail that they're going down is going to lead to nothing,'' Harrison said.

Harrison thinks the allegations are Schweickert's attempt to deflect attention from his wrongdoing. Schweickert's attorney did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Rose said the case is a natural fit for federal court because of its mix of local jurisdictions and allegations of crimes across state lines. Local and federal prosecutors may be negotiating over which aspects to pursue in state or federal court, he said.

Releasing the affidavit without charging either man in Galehouse or Wachholtz's deaths is a ``fascinating'' strategy, Rose said. Unlike local courts, where prosecutors and defense attorneys share investigative information, federal prosecutors release only what they want adversaries to know.

``They're sending a message,'' Rose said. To him, the affidavit is an ``initial notice'' of a pending indictment. It also exerts pressure on the attorneys for Lorenzo and Schweickert.

Steve Cole, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, declined to address Rose's comments in detail, but said prosecutors have said all along they were being thorough.

``We appreciate the professor giving us an A-plus.''

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.