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Underage Chatting Investigation Leads to One Arrest

For Immediate Release : Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Release Number: 20-177

Date

Thursday July 2, 2020 7:00 AM

Location

Sun City Center, FL
Underage Chatting Investigation Leads to One Arrest

A Wimauma man was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office for inappropriately communicating with, who he believed, was a 14-year-old girl.

Frank Ochoa Jr., 47, was arrested Thursday, July 2, 2020, at 7:08 a.m. in Sun City Center. 

On April 4, 2020, a decoy social media account was created by Waitlist, Inc. to depict a 14-year-old girl. The non-profit works to identify individuals using the internet to sexually exploit minors. Ochoa initiated a conversation with the decoy. On June 24, 2020, Waitlist Inc. contacted the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office since the suspect lived in the area. 

A detective took over the virtual conversation, which by this point, had transitioned to text messaging. Ochoa sent 10 pornographic videos, including videos of girls losing their virginity. On multiple occasions, the decoy made clear that Ochoa was communicating with a 14-year-old girl.

On July 2, 2020, deputies stopped Ochoa who was traveling in Sun City Center. During the stop, detectives called the phone they had been using to chat with Ochoa and it rang inside the car. Ochoa admitted to the crime in a post-Miranda interview.

"The details of this case are infuriating, disgusting, and shameful," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Ochoa, and all those who prey on vulnerable children, are the kinds of people our deputies work tirelessly to identify and ultimately, arrest. As with this case, we will work for as long as it takes to get the job done."

Anyone who believes they were a victim of Ochoa or has information on any sort of criminal activity is urged to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200.