Posted For: Layla Godey
A Florida sheriff’s office announced this week that an undercover operation led to 89 arrests tied to human and sex trafficking, resulting in more than 1,200 separate felony charges. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, which serves the Tampa metropolitan area, said the multi-week operation targeted individuals “seeking to sexually exploit children and purchase sex.”
According to a department news release, suspects believed they were communicating with underage victims and arrived at arranged locations, only to be met by undercover sheriff’s detectives.
The operation also led to the rescue of a missing 17-year-old girl who was being exploited. Officials identified her trafficker as 23-year-old Armani Hopkins, who was arrested and charged in connection with the case. It is not clear if Hopkins has legal representation.
The sheriff’s office provided details on several other suspects.
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Stephen Fabic, 41, a math teacher at Hillsborough High School, was arrested after allegedly offering to pick up a teenager and bring them to his home to engage in sexual activity, thinking he was communicating with a minor. Fabic appeared in court last month. His attorney, Daniel Fischetti, told Fox 13 that “it’s unknown what exactly happened the day of, or what the meeting was going to be, so I ask the court to take that into consideration when setting bond.” The Epoch Times has reached out to his attorney for further comment.
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John Altieri, 69, was arrested for allegedly arranging a rideshare to bring a juvenile to his residence for sexual activity. At the time, Altieri was serving home confinement while on probation in Hernando County for two counts of possession of a controlled substance. It is not clear if he has legal representation.
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Authorities also safely recovered a 2-year-old child after a tip indicated the child was being exploited. Peter Torres, 42, was arrested in connection with the case. It is not clear if Torres has a lawyer.
Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister, a Republican who was appointed by the second Trump administration to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration before withdrawing in late 2024, emphasized the office’s commitment to fighting human trafficking.
“If you are using a hotel room, a chat app, or a fake profile to pursue a child, we are there,” Chronister said. “Our detectives will follow the digital trail all the way to your door.”
These arrests come months after a federal and local operation in Florida led to the recovery of 122 missing children, including in the Tampa area. That operation, announced in November, involved the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and local law enforcement across much of Central Florida.