More Than 120 People Arrested in Florida Child Sex Trafficking Operation, Including Elementary Teacher and Camp Counselor

Undercover police officers in Florida posed as guardians offering children to suspected sex traffickers online as part of an operation which led to over 120 people arrested in ninety days.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, which covers Tampa and the surrounding area, said Thursday that deputies had charged 123 individuals with human trafficking or trafficking-related offenses.

"These 123 arrests transcend mere statistics," Chad Chronister, Hillsborough County Sheriff, said at a press conference. "They represent our commitment to protect the innocent and our resolute efforts to safeguard the most vulnerable members of our community."

Elementary science teacher among those arrested

Chronister said a teacher, a nurse and a basketball coach were among those targeted as part of "Operation Renewed Hope." A camp counselor was also on the list.

"These are individuals who betrayed our trust," the Sheriff added. "During this facet of the operation, these individuals engaged with undercover detectives who were posing as underage girls and boys. These criminals knowingly sought to engage in sexual acts with each of them."

A former science teacher at James Elementary School, in the Northview Hills neighborhood, was among those arrested.

James Villacorteza, 28, faces charges of using computer services or devices to solicit certain illegal acts, unlawful use of two way communications device and traveling to meet a minor after using computer services/devices to solicit certain illegal acts.

The sheriff said the department notified suspects' employers of their arrest, adding that he hoped they never held positions of trust where they could take advantage of vulnerable people again.

Suspects deserve 'collective contempt', sheriff says

Chronister said deputies sought to "dismantle" the driving forces behind the sex trafficking market.

One man - Zheng Dong, 39 - had previously been arrested for human trafficking charges in May 2022, after interacting with an undercover officer. He was arrested again as part of this latest operation on charges of soliciting another to commit prostitution.

Detectives also posed as family members, including parents, step-parents and grandparents, posting online advertising the children in their care for sex.

"The fact that individuals willingly sought such heinous activities, despite knowing the children's ages is abhorrent and deserves our collective contempt," the Sheriff added.

Chronister said some of those arrested possessed firearms, which posed questions as to what their intentions were with these weapons.

Some individuals dropped their cell phones off at a different location before showing up to have sex with the "child" they believed they were meeting, because they knew they were doing something wrong and didn't want to be tracked, Chronister added.

The Sheriff thanked his team for their dedication in "serving as the shield" which protected the Tampa community.

Since the human trafficking unit was created in Hillsborough County in 2021, 604 individuals had been arrested, Chronister said. 28 victims had been rescued.

The Sheriff urged residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspected trafficking activity.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of human trafficking, help is available 24 hours a day through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.