A quick-thinking 13-year-old girl rescued from a Florida motel room secretly sent a desperate voice memo to her sister, thwarting a calculated child trafficking operation orchestrated by two men who had lured her through social media.
Key Takeaways
- A 13-year-old girl was rescued from human traffickers after secretly sending a voice memo to her sister from a Tampa motel room where she was being held against her will.
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Marlon Alfaro-Alvarez, 28, and Floyd Amaya Garvin, 25, on multiple felony counts including human trafficking, false imprisonment, and lewd and lascivious molestation.
- The suspects contacted the victim via social media, picked her up under false pretenses, and physically restrained her while offering money for sex.
- One suspect attempted to escape through a window when deputies arrived at the A1 Motel, demonstrating consciousness of guilt.
- Sheriff Chad Chronister praised the victim’s bravery and warned that Hillsborough County will aggressively prosecute child predators.
Quick Action Saves Teen from Traffickers
On May 31, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an urgent call that would lead to the rescue of a 13-year-old girl from the clutches of human traffickers. The victim’s sister had received a voice message indicating the young girl was being held against her will at the A1 Motel in Tampa, Florida. This quick communication between siblings triggered an immediate law enforcement response that likely prevented a horrific outcome. When deputies arrived at the motel, they witnessed 28-year-old Marlon Alfaro-Alvarez attempting to flee through a window, while 25-year-old Floyd Amaya Garvin was found with the child inside the room.
The investigation revealed a disturbing sequence of events that began on social media. The men had strategically targeted the young victim online, using false pretenses to convince her to meet them. After picking her up, they took her to a gas station before bringing her to the motel room where she would be held captive. Despite the girl’s repeated pleas to be allowed to return home, the suspects physically restrained her and offered money in exchange for sexual acts, making their intentions unmistakably clear.
Technology Becomes Lifeline for Trapped Teen
“This child was lured, isolated, and targeted by adults who made the deliberate choice to exploit her. Their actions were not impulsive — they were predatory and calculated,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.
The girl’s resourcefulness in the face of danger proved critical to her rescue. While being held against her will, she managed to secretly record a voice message asking for help and successfully sent it to her sister. This digital SOS provided authorities with the crucial information needed to locate her. Law enforcement’s swift response to the sister’s 911 call demonstrates how technology, when used effectively, can provide a lifeline in dangerous situations. The case highlights the essential role of digital communication in modern-day rescue operations.
Suspects Face Serious Charges
Both suspects now face multiple serious felony charges that could result in lengthy prison sentences. Alfaro-Alvarez has been charged with human trafficking, lewd and lascivious molestation, false imprisonment, and resisting an officer without violence. His attempt to escape through the window when law enforcement arrived clearly demonstrated consciousness of guilt. Garvin faces charges including human trafficking, contributing to the delinquency of a child, and false imprisonment. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has indicated the investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed as more evidence is uncovered.
“Thanks to the bravery of this young victim and the swift response of our deputies, we stopped these men before they could cause even more harm. Let this be a clear message: in Hillsborough County, we don’t turn a blind eye to those who prey on children — we turn the full force of the law against them,” Chronister added.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of human trafficking in our communities, particularly targeting vulnerable children through social media platforms. It also underscores the importance of teaching young people about online safety and having open lines of communication with trusted family members. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office’s decisive action in this case demonstrates the critical importance of law enforcement agencies taking human trafficking allegations seriously and responding with appropriate urgency when children are at risk.
