Human Trafficking Squad Nabs 176 Men In Prostitution Sting: Sheriff

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister is crediting his newly formed human trafficking squad with the arrests of 176 men accused of soliciting women and teen girls for sex since April.

Chronister said the squad has also rescued eight human trafficking victims since it was formed on June 14, 2021, and saved women who were being used as prostitutes from lives of exploitation.

"When I became sheriff, I made a commitment to fight illegal prostitution and to protect the citizens of Hillsborough County from being victimized by predators in our midst," said Chronister. "The human trafficking squad has been given all the resources they need to save the victims, who often find themselves in a dark and dangerous life with no way out."

Since April, the squad has been conducting various stings and operations focused on stopping the demand for prostitution, netting 176 men after they tried to purchase sex from undercover detectives.

Chronister said one of the "Johns" who was arrested was on his honeymoon at the time.

He said Paul Turovsky, 34, made arrangements to pay for sex with an undercover detective, leaving his new wife in their hotel room to meet the detective.

"Perhaps, the most dangerous are the men who not only went looking for sex with underage victims, but paid for it," Chronister said. "Now they’re paying the price with felony charges for human trafficking."

He said 10 men were arrested after trying to coerce minors into having sex with them, sharing photos and videos on social media with the underage boys and girls who were actually undercover detectives. Some arranged to meet the minors and were arrested when they showed up, said Chronister.

Most recently, detectives learned of two men who'd been traveling from Massachusetts to Tampa with two missing and endangered teens they'd been using for sex trafficking.

During the investigation, detectives found one of the traffickers sleeping with one of the missing teens in a vehicle parked in a Hillsborough County grocery store parking lot. The second teen was found at a nearby hotel with another trafficker and a third man. All three men were arrested and the teens were taken into protective custody.

"I want to thank organizations, like Selah Freedom, and other victims advocates who ensure these victims were given proper food and shelter," said Chronister. "During our work to eradicate the disgusting act of prostitution, one victim was taken to rehab. Another was returned to her mother, and one was provided a plane ticket to return to her family in another state."

Chronister said the sheriff's office will continue it's efforts to rescue human trafficking victims.

"We are committed to not just pulling them out of dangerous situations, but supporting them in a new and improved life," he said.

To date, the human trafficking squad has arrest 360 people.