Crime & Safety
Girl, 13, Rescued After Being Held At FL Motel Against Her Will
Two men face multiple felonies, including human trafficking, after bringing a 13-year-old girl to a Tampa motel, the sheriff's office said.
TAMPA, FL — Two men were arrested for holding a 13-year-old against her will and exploiting her inside a Tampa motel room, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office news release.
They face multiple felony charges, including human trafficking.
HCSO received a 911 call Saturday from the victim’s sister, who had received a voice message from the girl indicating that she was in danger at the A1 Motel, the agency said. Deputies immediately responded.
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Marlon Alfaro-Alvarez, 28, was caught trying to leave the motel room through a bathroom window and detained, the sheriff’s office said. Floyd Amaya Garvin, 25, was found inside the room with the child.
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The suspects talked to the victim on social media, picked her up under false pretenses and took her to a gas station before bringing her to the motel, investigators learned.
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Despite her repeated requests to go home, the men physically prevented her from leaving the room and offered her money in exchange for sex.
The victim secretly recorded a message asking for help and sent it to her sister, who immediately contacted authorities, HCSO said.
Alfonso-Alvarez was charged with human trafficking for commercial sexual activity (victim under 18), lewd and lascivious molestation, lewd and lascivious exhibition, false imprisonment, contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a minor, resisting an officer without violence.
Amaya Garvin was charged with human trafficking for commercial sexual activity (victim under 18), contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child, and false imprisonment (on child)
“This child was lured, isolated, and targeted by adults who made the deliberate choice to exploit her. Their actions were not impulsive — they were predatory and calculated,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Thanks to the bravery of this young victim and the swift response of our deputies, we stopped these men before they could cause even more harm. Let this be a clear message: in Hillsborough County, we don’t turn a blind eye to those who prey on children — we turn the full force of the law against them.”
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