Former HCSO deputy arrested in child abuse case, more victims possible

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is searching for additional possible victims in a child abuse case after an HCSO deputy was arrested.

The HCSO said 41-year-old Pablo Rios Hernandez was arrested and charged in a child abuse case after an investigation lasting more than a year.

On February 24, 2023, detectives responded to a home in Hillsborough County after reports emerged that an adult male was possibly abusing a 12-year-old girl. On March 7, 2023, detectives from the Special Victims Unit executed a search warrant on the home and found numerous electronic storage devices containing evidence.

On September 11, 2024, following their investigation, HCSO said they arrested Rios Hernandez and charged him with sexual abuse of family member or custodial person, lewd or lascivious molestation of more than 18 victims ages 12 to 15, sale or distribution of obscene material to a minor, and unauthorized use of a two-way communication device.

Rios Hernandez was a deputy HCSO officer from 2006 to 2019. According to HCSO, he was involved in several traffic accidents and failed to comply with a summons.

According to investigators, he was also a former youth group leader at the First Baptist Church of Riverview from August 2021 to February 2022. Detectives are asking anyone who may be a victim of Rios Hernandez to contact HCSO investigators at (813) 247-8200.