Retired Army Lt. Col. Charged With Molestation In Hillsborough Co.

TAMPA, FL — A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel has been arrested after being accused of molesting a teenager, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

Authorities said Derek Zitko, 52, surrendered Tuesday after a warrant for his arrest was issued earlier that day.

The allegations against Zitko stretch back to 2013. Authorities said someone, who was about 13- or 14-years-old at the time, reported the incidents to the sheriff's office earlier this month.

Zitko was accused of making friends with the victim's family, authorities said. No further details were released regarding Zitko's suspected interaction with the victim.

Authorities charged Zitko on suspicion of three counts of lewd or lascivious battery and molestation involving a juvenile victim, they said.

"Our determination to seek justice does not diminish over time, and no one is above the law, regardless of their position or past," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news release. "I commend the bravery of this survivor for coming forward and sharing their story, which has been instrumental in holding this ... offender accountable. We will always stand with victims and work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible face consequences."

Zitko served in the U.S. Army from June 1994-May 2015, when he retired as lieutenant colonel, authorities said. He was an active member of the Chapel at Fishhawk for about seven years, where he served as a small group leader and youth volunteer from 2018-22, authorities said.