HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has announced the results of an extensive undercover operation targeting the sexual exploitation of children, resulting in the arrests of 171 individuals.
The sting, which ran from July through Halloween, also led to the successful rescue of a 17-year-old girl from human traffickers.
Sheriff Chronister stated that the collective effort was focused on “individuals who wanted to exploit a child in this community for sex.” He confirmed that the primary goal for every one of the 171 individuals arrested was “to pay to have sex with a child.”
The operation leveraged the HCSO’s Internet Predator Unit, Sexual Predator Unit, and the Human Trafficking Squad.
Teacher Among Those Arrested
One of the most alarming arrests was that of Robert Hes, a social science teacher at Chamberlain High School. According to the Sheriff, Hess was entrusted with the crucial responsibility of “mentoring, educating, and safeguarding the children at Chamberlain High School.”
Hess was apprehended after he allegedly agreed to meet an undercover detective he believed to be a 15-year-old child. He intended to pay $140 to have protected sex for 30 minutes. The Sheriff highlighted the violation of parental trust, emphasizing that teachers like Hess had been placed in a position of care, custody, and control over children.
Successful Rescue from Traffickers
The operation’s most important outcome was the rescue of a 17-year-old human trafficking victim. The girl was allegedly being trafficked by Devonte Faru Harrison and Marcel Wash while living in a motel with her family.
The suspects reportedly teamed up to increase their profits, charging $400 for unprotected sex and giving the young victim only $40 from each encounter. Undercover detectives, posing as buyers, intervened at a scheduled meeting, immediately rescuing the victim before placing Harrison and Wash under arrest.
Other Egregious Cases Highlighted
The Sheriff’s Office also detailed other shocking arrests from the operation:
Frank Corso (69): Following a tip, a search warrant led investigators to find approximately one million pornographic images and videos of children on his computer. Tragically, his own daughter and her four young children lived under the same roof. Sheriff Chronister described him simply as a “monster.”
Can Tran: This suspect attempted to flee from law enforcement, leading to a dangerous, high-speed chase that involved the HCSO aviation unit. During his reckless flight, he struck and injured an “innocent bystander” before being captured.
Chronister thanked the dedicated team and partnering agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and “One More Child,” which provides essential support like housing and counseling for victims.
He concluded, “I can stand here today talking about how we’re safeguarding this community.”
READ: Tampa Police Boost Patrols, Urge Safety As Halloween Approaches
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