News Summary
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has successfully rescued a 13-year-old girl from human trafficking and arrested two suspects in the case. The girl was held captive at the A1 Motel, where she was coerced into sexual acts. A voicemail to her sister prompted police intervention, leading to the suspects’ apprehension. The case highlights law enforcement’s ongoing commitment to tackle human trafficking and protect vulnerable youth in the community.
Tampa, Florida
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) successfully rescued a 13-year-old girl from human trafficking and arrested two men implicated in the crime. The incident occurred at the A1 Motel in Tampa, where the young girl was being held captive and exploited.
Law enforcement officials apprehended Marlon Alfaro-Alvarez, 28, and Floyd Amaya Garvin, 25, who now face multiple felony charges, including human trafficking and solicitation offenses. The investigation began when the victim’s sister received a voicemail from her indicating she was in danger. In the message, the girl reportedly expressed that she was being held against her will and urgently needed help.
Upon arriving at the motel, officers found Alfaro-Alvarez attempting to escape through a bathroom window while Garvin was discovered inside the room with the victim. The investigation revealed that both suspects had communicated with the girl through social media, luring her under false pretenses. They transported her to the motel after making a stop at a gas station, after which the victim was coerced into a life-threatening situation.
Despite the victim’s repeated pleas to return home, she was physically restrained from leaving, and the suspects offered her money in exchange for sexual acts. In a desperate bid for help, the girl recorded a message detailing her plight and sent it to her sister, prompting immediate police intervention.
The investigation into this case is ongoing, with HCSO highlighting its commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals.
Ongoing Efforts to Combat Trafficking and Exploitation
The HCSO has recently intensified its efforts to address sexual exploitation and trafficking among minors. In a separate undercover operation conducted from April 21 to April 24, 2025, fifteen individuals were arrested for soliciting sexual acts from minors via online platforms. During this operation, detectives posed as juveniles and engaged in conversations with suspects who sent explicit photos and made sexual advances, fully aware of the fictitious ages of the individuals they were communicating with.
Twelve of these suspects were apprehended when they traveled to a specified location, intending to engage in sexual activities with minors. Additionally, three other suspects were arrested on outstanding warrants linked to the investigation.
Collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies
In another noteworthy operation, a human trafficking bust in Zephyrhills led to the arrests of six suspects. This multi-agency effort involved the Zephyrhills Police Department working alongside the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force and resulted in various felony charges related to human trafficking and solicitation offenses. The ages of those arrested ranged from 23 to 50.
The urgency to combat the rising issue of child exploitation continues to be highlighted by law enforcement officials. Sheriff Chad Chronister emphasized the critical need to protect children from online predators, particularly those exploiting technology to harm vulnerable youth.
Recent Legal Proceedings
In related news, Ioannis Pahoumis, a club owner, was found guilty of involvement in a drug and human trafficking ring in Tampa and is currently awaiting sentencing. This case further underscores the community’s ongoing struggles with human trafficking and the legal system’s response to such heinous crimes.
The extensive operations by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and cooperating agencies aim to dismantle human trafficking networks and provide safety and support for vulnerable populations, particularly young people. As investigations continue, the emphasis remains on prevention, awareness, and the safeguarding of children in the community.
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Additional Resources
- HCSO Press Release on Human Trafficking
- Fox 13 News: ZPD Announcement
- HCSO: Undercover Operation Results
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Human Trafficking
- Google News: Human Trafficking Tampa
