The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of 41-year-old Pablo Rios Hernandez for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old child. HCSO reports that its detectives responded to a residence about an adult male possibly molesting a child on February 24, 2023.

On March 7, 2023, HCSO’s Special Victim’s Unit carried out a search warrant at the residence and seized multiple electronic storage devices. Following an investigation, charges were filed on September 11, 2024.

Hernandez was arrested on the same day. He is facing the following charges.

• Sexual Battery Familiar or Custodial Authority
• Lewd or Lascivious Molestation Defendant Over 18 Victims 12 – 15 (x4)
• Sell or Distribute Obscene Material to Minor
• Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device

HCSO says Hernandez was a former youth group leader at First Baptist Church of Riverview from August 2021 to February 2022. Hernandez is also a former deputy with HCSO. He worked with the department from 2006 to 2019.

Anyone with information about Rios Hernandez is asked to contact investigators at 813-247-8200.

 

🚨Detectives Search For Additional Victims🚨

Detectives with #teamHCSO are looking for possible additional victims of Pablo Rios Hernandez, 41, who was arrested on September 11, 2024, on multiple charges related to the molestation of a 12-year-old child.

“I am appalled and… pic.twitter.com/Pu8YFKs4IR

— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) September 23, 2024