Former School Bus Driver Arranged To Meet Teen For Sex: Sheriff

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL —The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested a former school bus driver after they said he made plans to meet with a 14-year-old girl to have sex.

An undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl connected with Hector Cabrera, 32, of Corso Milano Drive, Tampa, on social media Tuesday. Cabrera told the detective posing as a girl that he wanted to engage in sexual acts with her.

On Thursday morning, Cabrera and the undercover detective again exchanged messages and agreed to meet at 1 p.m. Cabrera, who believed he was going to meet the 14-year-old girl, was arrested upon his arrival at the meeting place. After a search of his vehicle, detectives found condoms in Cabrera's possession.

Cabrera was employed as a Hillsborough County school bus driver from 2015 to 2018. Since 2018, he's worked for the Hillsborough County Clerk of Courts Office.

Cabrera was charged with Traveling To Meet Minor After Using Computer Services/Devices To Solicit Certain Illegal Acts, Use Of Computer Services Or Devices To Solicit Certain Illegal Acts, and Unlawful Use Of Two Way Communications Device.

"It is sickening to me that someone who was once trusted with the safety of our children as a school bus driver would prey on an innocent child," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "I am thankful that the teenage girl he encountered was not someone's young daughter and was instead a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy. I will not allow anyone to target the most innocent members of our society. It is all of our responsibility, both law enforcement and the citizens we serve, to work together to safeguard our children."

He was charged with traveling to meet a minor after using computer services/devices to solicit certain illegal acts, use of computer services or devices to solicit certain illegal acts and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.

He was released on a surety bond.