TAMPA, Fla. — Three men, including a since-fired Pinellas Park fire lieutenant, face charges of human trafficking after attempting to meet with people who they believed were minors, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Martial Boutchueng Djidjou, 44; Brian Streeter, 50; and Jay Saxe, 33; each faces a charge of human trafficking for commercial sexual activity involving a victim under 18, a news release states.
Streeter had most recently served as a fire lieutenant in Pinellas Park and worked for the city since 2003, the city said in a statement. He was "terminated immediately" for the alleged crime.
The sheriff's office said its investigators, starting on Sept. 12, wanted to identify people who exploit children for commercial sex acts.
Djidjou, a cancer researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center, was arrested after he traveled to meet with who he believed was a minor and wanted to pay for sex, a news release stated.
"Moffitt condemns these truly disturbing accusations. We are actively taking all appropriate steps to ensure Moffitt remains a safe environment for all patients and team members," a Moffitt Cancer Center spokesperson said in a statement.
Deputies say Streeter arranged to meet with who he believed was a 14-year-old girl to have sex for $60; and Saxe, an owner of a Kona Ice in Lakeland, arrived at a trailer to meet and pay for sex with who he believed was a 14-year-old girl.
Both were also arrested following the alleged arrangements.
"While these men may be trying to hide their disgusting live choices in the shadows of our community, our detectives are the beacon of light," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "Our detectives will continue to track down anyone participating in this vile behavior and make sure they are held accountable."