8 Arrested in Florida Human Trafficking Bust

Law enforcement officials often set up sting operations to catch people engaging in certain crimes. This is especially true for sex crimes, which are often regarded as victimizing young children.

A human trafficking operation in Florida has led to the arrest of eight men. The investigation began on July 17 and involved the Hernando County Sheriff’s department and Florida Department of Law Enforcement as well as other agencies. The arrests occurred in late July after undercover detectives in Hernando County posing as children between the ages of 11 and 15.

The men were enticed by the decoys to engage in sexual conduct. The men indicated their interest in sex through payment, prostitution-type stuff, or casual encounters. Those arrested  admitted that they engaged in conversations with the intent to have sex with the people they were communicating with online, who they thought were minors.

Of the eight men arrested, six were from Hernando County. At the moment, four are being charged with human trafficking. One man was a DoorDash driver who is accused of sexually battering an undercover detective staged as a decoy by grabbing her inappropriately. He was charged with multiple crimes, including human trafficking, attempted lewd and lascivious battery, battery on a deputy, and use of a two-way communications device to commit a felony. The others are facing crimes such as traveling to meet a juvenile after using a computer and two-way communication device in a felony.

Another man who was arrested showed up to meet the undercover detective in his Verizon work truck. He was on his way to repair a cell tower. Another man arrested by police was the owner of “New York’s Finest Barbershop” in Hernando County. A registered sex offender who has prior arrests for traveling to meet a minor was also arrested in the sting operation. So was a man who allegedly left his 2-year-old child at home with his sister-in-law to meet the “minor.” Three other men were arrested.

The men are facing felony charges and could be spending many years in prison as well as other serious penalties. Because the men were looking for adolescents and teens for sexual activity, parents should be mindful of this and be aware of what their kids are doing online. Human trafficking and other sex crimes often begin online in chat rooms.

Contact Us Today

Human trafficking is a crime that can have lasting effects for victims. Anyone can be a victim, although children and young women are most commonly targeted. Because of this, people need to be wary of possible sting operations.

A Florida minor sex offense lawyer from the Law Offices of Gilbert A. Schaffnit can assist you if you have been accused of a sex crime. We can provide you with valuable advice and a strong defense to help ensure a fair trial and the best outcome. Schedule a confidential consultation today by calling (352) 505-1799 or filling out the online form.

Source:

fox13news.com/news/several-arrested-hernando-county-human-trafficking-bust