PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco held a press conference today to address a recent human trafficking case and the growing concern about sextortion within the community. Sheriff Nocco urged the public to remain vigilant and informed, emphasizing the importance of seeking the truth and reporting suspicions to law enforcement rather than relying on social media speculation.
“I pray for the victims of human trafficking, the investigators, and the advocates who work tirelessly to support them,” said Nocco. “The things we’re discussing today are horrific, but it’s crucial to get the message out there.”
Sheriff Nocco highlighted the efforts of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office in addressing human trafficking and sextortion, particularly among young girls who fall victim to predators through social media and the foster care system. He announced the creation of a specialized unit, the Missing and Exploited Persons Unit, which combines resources from cybercrime and missing persons divisions to enhance efforts in locating and rescuing vulnerable individuals.
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“Many young girls in our community are lured into dangerous situations online, thinking they’ve found love,” said Nocco. “Our team is working to find these kids and bring them to safety.”
To further combat trafficking, the Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Homeland Security, adding two new officers to their task force to address organized trafficking rings operating across the state and nation.
Operation Phoenix Initiative
Sheriff Nocco also introduced Operation Phoenix, a volunteer-based initiative aimed at leveraging community support to track down potential victims online. Volunteers, after passing background checks and receiving specialized training, will assist detectives by monitoring social media for signs of exploitation.
“We need our community’s help,” said Nocco. “By working together, we can find these young girls and prevent them from becoming victims. Those interested in volunteering can sign up at joinpso.com.”
Horrific Case Details
Sheriff Nocco shared details of a recent human trafficking case involving a suspect, Jean Cebollero-Arias, 46, of New Port Richey, who was arrested for attempting to exploit a juvenile in his custody.
The investigation, initiated through a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), revealed that Arias was offering the young girl to others online for sexual exploitation and to “train” the child.
“This individual was offering an elementary school-aged child to be raped and trained for his fantasies,” Nocco said. “There is no punishment severe enough for crimes like these.”
Arias was arrested and charged with human trafficking involving a minor, with additional investigations ongoing in multiple states and even internationally.
Sheriff Nocco urged parents to have open conversations with their children about online safety and to monitor their social media activity closely. “We are seeing an alarming rise in sextortion cases where predators exploit children by coercing them into sharing explicit content, then blackmailing them.”
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He encouraged parents to prioritize their children’s safety over academic pressures, emphasizing that “a C on a test is better than becoming a victim of exploitation.”
Sheriff Nocco concluded by reiterating the Pasco Sheriff’s Office’s zero-tolerance stance on human trafficking and exploitation, vowing to continue efforts to protect the community.
“We will hunt down those who prey on our children,” he said. “There is good and evil in this world, and good will prevail.”
For more information or to report suspicious activity, residents are encouraged to contact the Pasco Sheriff’s Office or visit their official website.
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