ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — The Zephyrhills Police Department (ZPD) announced Wednesday the arrest of eight people following a human trafficking crackdown.
"This operation reflects our continued commitment to identifying individuals who exploit vulnerable people, attempt to engage in unlawful sexual activity with minors, or contribute to the demand that allows commercial sexual exploitation to continue," said Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer.
Watch report from Annette Gutierrez
Tampa Bay 28 reporter Annette Gutierrez sat down with Chief Brewer who said his department conducts operations like this throughout the year to crack down on human trafficking.
"We're trying to make it so that there's not a safe haven for that type of activity here in the Zephyrhills area," Brewer said.
Officials arrested 41-year-old Marvin Thornton of Tampa for traveling to meet a minor for sex, attempted human trafficking, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and prohibited use of computer services. They also arrested 69-year-old Glenn Logan of Lakeland for traveling to meet a minor for sex and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The other six individuals arrested included:
- Kendall Freeman, 18, from Tampa for soliciting prostitution.
- David Exantus, 32, from Tampa for soliciting prostitution.
- Charles Derr, 32, from Dade City for soliciting prostitution.
- Jorge Silva Montebello, 26, from Brazil for human trafficking and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Destiny Rodriguez, 28, from Houston, Texas for soliciting prostitution.
- Sheila Gomez-Fontanez,19, from Houston, Texas for soliciting prostitution.
Brewer said the two women arrested were charged with prostitution-related offenses, but that the goal is ultimately to help them.
"Our operations are meant to be victim focused, so even if we're making an arrest for prostitution, we're still treating them as victims first to make sure that they're getting the resources they need," Brewer said.
Brewer said none of the individuals arrested were from Zephyrhills, though all arrests took place there.
"I don't care if I'm arresting somebody from another area, I feel like I'm saving another person from being victimized," Brewer said.
Brewer said human trafficking can be difficult to detect.
"It's very silent, and being able to pick up on the warning signs is extremely important," Brewer said.
Tara Walker, outreach director for the Heart Dance Foundation — an organization working to end exploitation — said these operations serve as an important reminder.
"These operations are reminders that human trafficking exists in our community," Walker said.
Walker said recognizing signs of vulnerability is key to identifying victims.
"It's someone who is not confident, doesn't make eye contact, doesn't carry their own ID, doesn't make their own decisions," Walker said.
Walker said human trafficking does not discriminate by age, race, or gender, and urged anyone who suspects someone may be a victim to speak up.
"It's better to report it and be wrong than it is to ignore it, and then it could have been a situation that could have been prevented and rescued," Walker said.
The Zephyrhills Police Department partners with the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes agencies such as the St. Pete Police Department.
If you know someone who may be a victim of human trafficking, contact:
Florida Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-855-FLA-SAFE
National Human Trafficking Hotline:1-888-373-7888
Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873
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