A months-long undercover crackdown by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office ended with 89 arrests and roughly 1,217 felony charges tied to alleged attempts to buy sex and sexually exploit children, according to the agency. Detectives from the Human Trafficking Section and Internet Predator Unit posed online as minors or people facilitating access to minors, then moved in when suspects traveled to meet what they believed were underage victims. The sting ran from Jan. 1 through Feb. 6, 2026, and deputies say the work led to the rescue of children and the recovery of a toddler, with help from local and state partners.
As reported by the Tampa Free Press, Sheriff Chad Chronister said of the suspects, "In every instance, they were communicating with law enforcement and arranging their own arrest." The outlet reports the operation produced 1,217 felony charges and 89 arrests, and it named several of the accused, including 41-year-old teacher Stephen Fabic, 69-year-old John Altieri and 42-year-old Peter Torres. Deputies credited victim-service groups Selah Freedom and One More Child, and said the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Florida Department of Corrections and the Hernando County Sheriff's Office assisted with the crackdown.
Among those arrested, 41-year-old Stephen Fabic was identified by local TV reporting as a Hillsborough High School math teacher who was taken into custody after allegedly arranging to meet what he believed was a 15-year-old. FOX 13 reports that Fabic faces counts including attempted lewd or lascivious battery and use of computer services to solicit illegal acts, and that the school district moved to terminate his employment.
How the undercover sting worked
Detectives say they went undercover on apps and messaging platforms, posing as minors or as family members of minors, to flag adults allegedly trying to buy sex or exploit children. Once conversations turned into explicit negotiations, investigators arranged meetups at agreed locations, where deputies moved in and made arrests.
According to investigators, suspects used chat logs, price haggling, ride arrangements and other digital trails that are now part of the evidence. The sheriff's office has used similar undercover tactics in earlier operations targeting human trafficking and online predators. For a fuller breakdown of this latest effort, the Tampa Free Press details the operation and some of the accused.
What comes next for suspects
The HCSO Public Affairs Office said many of the arrests are still part of active investigations and that specific charges could change as detectives and prosecutors comb through digital records. Past HCSO operations of this type have led to added charges and close coordination with the State Attorney's Office, as previous releases from the HCSO show. Officials are asking anyone with tips, screenshots, videos or messages tied to this case to contact law enforcement so potential evidence can be preserved.
Victim services and local resources
Deputies turned to local nonprofits to support those rescued during the sting, naming Selah Freedom and One More Child as key partners. One More Child outlines local programs and campus work that focus on vulnerable children and families in the Tampa area.
If you or someone you know may be a victim of trafficking, authorities urge you to call local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 for confidential, 24/7 assistance.
