TAMPA, Fla. – A 25-year-old Tampa man is in custody this week following a harrowing investigation into months of systemic domestic abuse. Tampa Police arrested Moises Estee Buitrago on April 14, ending what investigators describe as a violent campaign of control and exploitation against a woman in her mid-20s.
The abuse reportedly began in October 2025. According to detectives, Estee Buitrago started by isolating the victim, allegedly destroying her phone and her identification documents to keep her from reaching out for help.
Police say the situation quickly turned more dangerous, involving physical and sexual violence where he used various objects to restrain the woman and obstruct her breathing.
By early 2026, the violence escalated further. Investigators claim Estee Buitrago used weapons to injure the victim and consistently blocked her from receiving medical care.
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To maintain total control, he reportedly forced her to go to his workplace with him every day so she was never out of his sight. The investigation also uncovered that Estee Buitrago allegedly took nude photos of the victim without her knowledge and shared them with others.
Everything came to a head on March 24, 2026. Police say Estee Buitrago threatened the victim and broke into a room where she was trying to hide. Fortunately, acquaintances called the police, though Estee Buitrago managed to flee the scene before officers arrived.
The search for the suspect ended yesterday afternoon. Members of the Tampa Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the U.S. Marshals Task Force tracked Estee Buitrago to the 5300 block of Royal Oak Drive in Seffner, where he was taken into custody without incident.
“No human being should ever have to endure the pain of domestic violence or the lifelong trauma it leaves behind,” Chief Lee Bercaw said following the arrest. “I commend the brave individuals who intervened and undoubtedly saved a life. This arrest sends a clear message: we will use every resource at our disposal to protect the vulnerable and hold abusers accountable.”
Estee Buitrago has been booked into the Orient Road Jail. He faces a long list of charges, including Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Battery, False Imprisonment, and two counts of Digital Voyeurism.
Meanwhile, a Tampa Police Victim Advocate is currently working with the survivor to provide the resources and support necessary for her recovery.
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