A 102-day undercover operation in Hillsborough County, Florida, resulted in 148 arrests and the rescue of seven victims, including two minors, dealing a blow to local human trafficking networks. The Sheriff’s Office’s Human Trafficking Squad conducted “Operation Summer Shield” from April to August and arrested suspects for various human trafficking crimes.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister highlighted four suspects, including one 33-year-old man accused of engaging with an undercover detective posing as a 15-year-old girl online.
Another is a 39-year-old man who allegedly forced a 17-year-old girl into sex work while she lived at home. He is accused of posting photos of the victim on escort websites, arranging encounters and collecting profits from her exploitation.
A paramedic with Hillsborough County Fire and Rescue was taken into custody in June, according to a local news station. He is charged with soliciting another to commit prostitution.
Among the seven victims rescued were two 17-year-old girls and five adult women. The rescued minors were placed under the care of a child welfare organization called One More Child.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you work,” Sheriff Chronister said. “You’re never above committing a crime. You’re never above the law and we will hold you accountable here.”
The sheriff said law enforcement will continue employing proactive online surveillance, including scouring the internet and dark web, to identify potential traffickers before they can victimize individuals.
He emphasized his department “will not rest until every victim is safe and every trafficker is behind bars.”
