Eight Men Arrested in Human Trafficking Operation

On Thursday, July 25, Sheriff Al Nienhuis and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) held a press conference to discuss a recent Special Operation that involved multiple arrests for Human Trafficking. The HCSO worked with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Department of Homeland Security, ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Task Force, the State Attorney’s Office 5th Judicial Circuit, and the St. Petersburg Police Department to identify and track down the eight individuals for these heinous offenses.

In addition to Sheriff Nienhuis, State Attorney Bill Gladson and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Assistant Commissioner Lee Massie spoke that morning to share further information. Considering the nature of the investigation, these men could not share further details as it may hinder future casework.

The Hernando sheriff also thanked Senator Blaise Ingoglia for being involved in the initial briefing for this investigation and spearheading of additional resources for these types of operations. Cases like these can be “very resource intensive, but nonetheless extremely important for the safety of our children,” Nienhuis noted.

Senator Ingoglia filed a bill in the Senate (SB 1190) and an identical law was passed in the House (HB 1131) that provided assistance for such operations. The Online Sting Operations Grant Program went into effect on July 1 and will provide annual funds to local law enforcement agencies “to cover expenses for computers, electronics, software, and other related necessary supplies,” stated the Florida Senate website.

This operation was started mere days ago, on July 17, and concluded on July 22, and it was centered in Hernando County. Regrettably, the investigation bore multiple pieces of rotten fruit. The investigation involved undercover detectives posing as juveniles between 11 and 15 years old and, through the internet, “were either solicited or enticed by individuals […] to engage in sexual conduct,” stated Sheriff Nienhuis.

The suspects did attempt to entice through payment or casual encounters. Those arrested admitted post Miranda to their involvement. A total of eight men were arrested for charges that included human trafficking, attempted lewd and lascivious battery, traveling to meet a minor to engage in sexual conduct, batter, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

Unfortunately, six out of the eight individuals arrested traveled from inside of Hernando County in the attempts to perform these acts. Another was from Plant City. Certain photographs have been sparse or slow to come out to not hurt the investigation as these men are part of “a very tight-knit group of criminals.” That is not to say that those arrested were acting together, however, as investigators currently have no reason to believe so.

The arrested individuals are listed below:
Juan Romero – (DOB 10/9/2005) Traveled from Plant City. Charged with traveling to meet a juvenile after the use of a computer and the use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

Sean Dooley – (DOB 1/23/1998) He is a local individual charged with traveling to meet a minor after use of a computer to lure a child. Also charged with use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

Erick Digaudio – (DOB 11/8/1972) He is a Doordasher charged with human trafficking, use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, attempted lewd and lascivious battery, and battery on an undercover deputy.

Jerry Berrios – (DOB 6/3/1984) The owner of the local New York’s Finest Barbershop is charged with human trafficking, use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and attempted lewd and lascivious battery.

Troy Hartman – (DOB 12/9/1962) The individual arrived in his Verizon work truck and is charged with human trafficking, use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and attempted lewd and lascivious battery.

Jarrod Alamo – (DOB 1/30/2000) He left his two-year-old at home to commit these acts and is charged with human trafficking, use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and attempted lewd and lascivious battery.

Jeremy Burke – (DOB 1993) He is charged with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using a computer and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

James Brand – He is a registered sex offender charged with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using a computer and use of a communication device to facilitate a felony.

The internet crimes against children unit has been working since April of 2023 on such cases.

Initially, one of their major focuses was investigating those in possession of child pornography and have since made 43 arrests. As far as the investigation into the eight above individuals is concerned, State Attorney Bill Gladson will be taking over the case from this point on and he emphasized the importance of parents keeping an eye on their children on and offline.

“I just want to thank the sheriff’s office and the FDLE for working on cases like this because these cases underscore why it’s so important for parents to make sure that they know what their children are doing on the internet and it is so important for everybody in the community to be aware of how these people prey upon children,” said Gladson.

Sheriff Nienhuis offered another word, “involvement.” He urged parents to be involved in their children’s lives, especially when they are online.