A Hillsborough County high school teacher was among 89 suspects arrested in a human trafficking operation that resulted in more than 1,200 felony charges, officials announced.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said its Human Trafficking Unit and Internet Predator Unit conducted a coordinated undercover operation between Jan. 1 and Feb. 6, targeting those seeking to exploit children.
Deputies said all 89 suspects believed they were communicating with minors and would meet somewhere with the expectation of paying for sex. Some cases reportedly involve negotiating prices and logistics with people they believe are willing to sell children.
“In each incident, they were communicating with law enforcement and arranging their own arrests,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement.
When they arrive at the rendezvous, they are met by an undercover detective.
Those arrested included Stephen Fabic, 41, a math teacher at Hillsborough High School.
HCSO said Fabik offered to pick up a juvenile and bring them to his home, where he engaged in sexual activity while talking to the person he believed was a minor.
Other people of interest in the case include John Altieri, 69, who reportedly arranged for a rideshare service to pick up a minor from his home and bring him to his home.
At the time, Altieri was serving a sentence of home confinement on probation in Hernando County on two counts of possession of a controlled substance, the Sheriff’s Office said.
A warrant was obtained for Altieri’s arrest and he was taken into custody by the Florida Department of Corrections and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
Another man, Petter Torres, 42, was arrested after investigators received a tip that he was involved in the sexual exploitation of a sleeping 2-year-old child. The child has recovered safely.
Deputies also discussed the arrest of 23-year-old Armani Hopkins, who they say trafficked a missing 17-year-old girl for commercial sex.
The operation resulted in a total of 1,217 convictions, out of 89 arrests.
“If you use a hotel room, a chat app or a fake profile to pursue a child, we’re there,” Chronister said. “Our detectives will follow the digital trail all the way to your door.”
The victims in this operation are receiving support services, including assistance from Selah Freedom, One More Child, the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Corrections.
Certain cases in this investigation remain ongoing.