Tampa Man Accused Of Meeting 11-Year-Old At Gas Station For Sex

TOWN 'N' COUNTRY, FL — A Tampa man has been arrested after being accused of having sex with an 11-year-old girl he met at a gas station in Town 'n' Country.

On Tuesday, the girl's mother called the sheriff's office after finding sexual text messages from Jorge Moreno, 33, on her daughter's cell phone.

After talking with the child, detectives learned that she met Moreno at a gas station in the 6400 block of West Hillsborough Avenue the day before, left with him in his vehicle and had sex with him.

Moreno and the girl did not know one another before meeting at the gas station, detectives said.

The girl told detectives that she'd agreed to meet Moreno again Tuesday at the same gas station.

Moreno was instead met by detectives while waiting for the girl to arrive. After being interviewed, detectives said Moreno confessed to having sex with the 11-year-old.

Moreno was arrested and charged with sexual battery of a victim under 12 by a defendant over 18, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, traveling to meet a minor after using computer services/devices to solicit certain illegal acts, and use of devices to solicit illegal acts.

"There are people out there who are predatory and seeking out minors for sex, but in Hillsborough County, if you're coming for our children, we're coming for you," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "I commend the parents of this juvenile victim for monitoring her child's cell phone and bringing this matter to us for investigation. This incident should serve as a reminder to all parents to keep an eye on their children's lives online and on their mobile devices."