Hillsborough fire lieutenant arrested for sexual conduct with minor

TAMPA, Fla. – A Hillsborough County Fire Department lieutenant and his wife were arrested Thursday for allegedly engaging in sexual conduct with a 16-year-old, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

The lieutenant, 39-year-old Sascha Engel, and his wife, 37-year-old Alyssa Engel, are each charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a minor, officials said.

The sheriff's office reportedly began investigating the couple after learning of an incident that occurred at their home in March 2024. An investigation revealed that they allegedly forced the 16-year-old to perform sexual acts with them, the sheriff's office said.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister called the couple's actions “repulsive” and “deeply disappointing.”

“This egregious violation of innocence is disgraceful and goes against all the values ​​we stand for in this community,” Chronister said in the press release.

The investigation is reportedly ongoing and the HCSO said the Public Information Division will provide further updates.