A 28-year-old Tampa man is behind bars after detectives say he groomed and sexually exploited a 17-year-old, then recorded several encounters and sent the videos to the teen. Raul Suarez Vergel was arrested on May 24 and remains in custody while prosecutors and investigators keep digging into the case. According to authorities, the allegations surfaced after a special-victims probe turned up digital evidence and witness statements.
Timeline and confession
According to Tampa Free Press, investigators say the relationship started in January 2026 and involved multiple sexual encounters in May. During an interrogation, Vergel allegedly admitted that he recorded those encounters and sent the video files to the 17-year-old, the outlet reported. Detectives arrested him on Sunday after reviewing phones and other electronic evidence tied to the investigation.
Charges investigators say he faces
Per FOX 13 News, Vergel is facing multiple counts, including unlawful sexual activity with a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, transmission of harmful material to a minor, promotion of sexual performance by a child, and solicitation or possession of child pornography. “The exploitation of a minor is unacceptable and deeply concerning,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement quoted by local outlets. Prosecutors have not yet released a full charging affidavit, and investigators say the case is still active.
Where this case fits in local enforcement
The arrest lands in the middle of a broader push by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to crack down on online predators and trafficking. The agency’s Internet Predator Unit and Human Trafficking Section ran an undercover operation earlier this year that led to dozens of arrests, according to a sheriff’s office release. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says those operations use digital leads to track suspects and rescue exploited victims, a strategy covered in reporting by the Tampa Bay Times.
What the law says
Under Florida law, unlawful sexual activity with certain minors is defined in Florida statute §794.05. That statute, along with related electronic-communication offenses, can be charged as second-degree felonies, which carry potential penalties of up to 15 years in prison under Florida sentencing law. Multiple counts can be filed when conduct and device-based offenses overlap, increasing the possible prison exposure if convictions follow.
What's next
Vergel remains in jail while detectives continue conducting interviews and combing through evidence and while the State Attorney’s Office prepares formal charging documents. It is still unclear how Vergel and the teenager first met, or whether investigators have identified any additional victims, FOX 13 News reported. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at the number listed in agency releases.
