HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is making a plea to the public, urging any potential victims to come forward in a disturbing child molestation case.
Pablo Rios Hernandez, 41, was arrested on September 11, 2024, facing charges including sexual battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, and distribution of obscene material to a minor. The charges stem from an investigation that began in February 2023 following a report of Hernandez possibly molesting a 12-year-old child.
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Hernandez served as a youth group leader at First Baptist Church of Riverview from August 2021 to February 2022.
“I am appalled and disgusted by the actions of this individual who preyed upon a child. There is no place in our community for these types of evil actions,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “To anyone who may have suffered in silence at the hands of this predator, I urge you to come forward and speak with our detectives.”
Hernandez also previously worked as a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy from 2006 to 2019. His internal affairs history includes several traffic crash incidents and a failure to respond to a subpoena.
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Detectives are concerned there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to contact them at 813-247-8200.
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