Latest news with #HillsboroughCountySheriff
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Secret recording leads to child trafficking victim's rescue after sister calls 911: HCSO
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A discrete message led to the rescue of a 13-year-old girl who investigators said was being held against her will at a Tampa motel. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said dispatchers received a 911 call from the victim's sister on Saturday, May 31. She told them she had received a voice message from her sister, and that the 13-year-old was in danger at the A1 Motel in Tampa. Child tests positive for HIV after being sexually battered by Clearwater man: PCSO Deputies immediately responded, and said they found one of the suspects, Marlon Alfaro-Alvarez, 28, climbing out of a bathroom window. Alfaro-Alvarez was detained, along with Floyd Amaya Garvin, 25, who officials said was inside the motel room with the 13-year-old girl. Investigators learned the suspects and victim had been communicating over social media before they picked her up 'under false pretenses' and brought her to the motel, according to the sheriff's office. The 13-year-old repeatedly asked to go home, but detectives said the suspects prevented her from leaving. The suspects then offered the child money in exchange for sex, authorities said. At some point, and without the suspects knowing, the girl was able to record a voice message asking for help and send it to her sister. According to authorities, the girl's sister instantly called 911 after receiving the message. The two suspects are now facing several charges. Alfaro-Alvarez has been charged with the following offenses: Human Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Activity (Victim Under 18) Lewd and Lascivious Molestation Lewd and Lascivious Exhibition False Imprisonment Contributing to the Delinquency or Dependency of a Minor Resisting an Officer Without Violence Amaya Garvin has been charged with: Human Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Activity (Victim Less Than 18) Contribute to Delinquency or Dependency of Child False Imprisonment (on Child) 'This child was lured, isolated, and targeted by adults who made the deliberate choice to exploit her. Their actions were not impulsive — they were predatory and calculated,' said Sheriff Chad Chronister. 'Thanks to the bravery of this young victim and the swift response of our deputies, we stopped these men before they could cause even more harm. Let this be a clear message: in Hillsborough County, we don't turn a blind eye to those who prey on children — we turn the full force of the law against them.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2 Tampa men charged with trafficking meth, fentanyl: HCSO
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Two men from Tampa have been arrested and charged with multiple drug trafficking counts, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said. The men, 55-year-old Ronald Hess Jr. and 42-year-old Sedrick Coleman, were both arrested on Friday after a search warrant was executed at Hess' residence on Oak Avenue in Tampa. Deputies recovered trafficking amounts of fentanyl, meth and MDMA in the home. HCSO said Hess is an eight-time convicted felon, with previous charges for grand theft, cocaine trafficking, narcotics possession and fraud. 'Let me be clear — if you're peddling this poison in Hillsborough County, we are coming for you,' Sheriff Chad Chronister said. 'These drugs don't just ruin lives — they end them.' Hess' charges: Conspiracy to Traffic in Amphetamine 28 to 200 Grams (x2) Trafficking in Amphetamine 28 to 200 Grams (x2) Trafficking in Amphetamine 14 to 28 Grams Delivery of a Controlled Substance Possession of Controlled Substance (x4) Trafficking in Fentanyl (28 Grams or More) Trafficking in Phenethylamines 10 to 200 Grams Possession of Cocaine Keeping Public Nuisance Structure for Drug Activity Coleman's charges: Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communications Device (x3) Trafficking in Amphetamine 28 to 200 Grams (x2) Delivery of a Controlled Substance (x2) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Possession of Controlled Substance (x7) Possession of Cannabis Less Than 20 Grams Possession of Cocaine Possession of Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell or Deliver Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in Sun City Center homicide arrested six month later: Deputies
The Brief A suspect in a Sun City Center homicide was arrested six months later. Deputies responded to the scene outside a community center, which is where they found an 18-year-old dead from a gunshot wound. The suspect now faces a slew of charges, including first-degree murder while engaged in a robbery. SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. - More than six months after a Sun City Center homicide, a suspect is behind bars facing several charges. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said they arrested Malachi Higgs, 18, in connection with the death of Brandon Clark, 18. RELATED: Sun City Center shooting death under investigation: 'It's so scary' The backstory Deputies said they responded just before 10:45 p.m. on November 10, 2024, to the 7200 block of Camp Island Avenue after receiving reports of gunfire in the area. Once at the scene, deputies said they found Clark dead from a gunshot wound. At the time, detectives said they determined an altercation between a group of people led to gunfire outside the community center in that area. Dig deeper Detectives have since been investigating the case and said Higgs was identified as the suspect responsible for Clark's death. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube He was taken into custody on Friday on a slew of charges, which include first-degree murder while engaged in a robbery, robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon (less than $750), carrying a concealed firearm and minor in possession of a firearm, HCSO said. The Source The information in this story was released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
