123 alleged child predators arrested in sting operation
One hundred and twenty-three alleged child predators were arrested in an undercover sting operation in Florida.
2024-01-16T21:14:05+00:00
Publicado el 16/01/2024 a las 21:14
- Child predators arrested in Florida.
- 123 people were nabbed in an undercover operation.
- Police tout Operation Renewed Hope.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) apprehended 123 people in an undercover sting operation to stop child exploitation and trafficking.
Among them, 34 were identified as Hispanic.
«The arrests made by our dedicated Human Trafficking Squad transcend mere statistics,» said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister during a press conference.
«They represent our commitment to protect the innocent and a persistent effort to safeguard the most vulnerable members of our community,» he added.
123 alleged child predators arrested
Operation Renewed Hope, as explained by the sheriff, unfolded in various locations across the county over a three-month period.
«We targeted this crime through a multi-pronged approach by conducting undercover street walker and hotel and motel operations,» said Chronister.
He also said they focused on «online chats where our undercover investigators posed as minors available for sexual relations, as well as guardians selling children.»
The Sheriff’s Office chose the holiday season to conduct the operation as it is a time when children spend more time online.
Operation Renewed Hope takes down dozens of sex offenders
The suspects initiated online interactions, thinking they were communicating with children and teenagers, but their messages went directly to an undercover officer.
«I wanted to make sure our children were protected, and those who wanted to pay for sex or promote the sex trade didn’t have a free pass because of the holidays,» emphasized the sheriff.
Among the arrests, Chronister highlighted the capture of a former teacher, a nurse, a basketball coach and an employee of a spiritual organization.
One of those facing multiple charges is 28-year-old James Villacorteza.
Mugshots of the suspects are released
Villacorteza is a former science teacher at James Elementary School, who unknowingly contacted detectives online.
The long list of alleged child predators arrested includes 34 Hispanic men and their mugshots have been shared on Facebook.
Among them are: William Hernández Mejías, Denis González, Eduardo González, David Izquierdo Cruz, Oscar Macahuachi and Yariez López Padilla.
Héctor Cruz, Juan Fonseca, Nelson Morales González and Simón Palacios Antúnez were also arrested, along with 24 others.
Several Hispanic men were arrested in the sting
The sheriff’s office stated that the operation identified a truly alarming trend.
«As if the sexual exploitation is not damaging enough, who knows what their true intentions were with the firearms they possessed,» Chronister stated.
Although authorities did not provide details on the circumstances and locations of each arrest, the sheriff emphasized that their timely action saved 28 victims.
«That is 28 people whose lives were saved thanks to the hard work and dedication of the men and women on this team,» said Sheriff Chronister.
Protecting the children
The sheriff stressed that the work has been ongoing since June 2021.
Since that date, the human trafficking squad has arrested 604 people, charging 36 with offenses related to their crimes.
Faced with this harsh reality, the sheriff’s office urged the community to report any suspicious activity at 813-247-8200 in their neighborhoods, schools or churches.
To protect children, we must all work together.
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