Source: US Marshals Service
Tampa, FL – The U.S. Marshals Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force – Tampa Office, acting on a collateral lead from the USMS Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force in Eastern Tennessee, June 19 arrested in Florida a man wanted in Tennessee on 32 felony counts of sexual abuse and exploitation of three Blount County juvenile minors.
Giovannie Torres, 30, of Tampa, was arrested at his home on a 32-count indictment including the following charges issued by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office:
- Continuous sexual abuse of a child (1 count)
- Sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means (13 counts)
- Especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor (5 counts)
- Aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor (4 counts)
- Unlawful exposure (1 count)
- Sexual exploitation of a minor (3 counts)
- Sale, loan, or exhibition of material to minors (1 count)
- Aggravated stalking (2 counts)
- Harassment (2 counts)
Torres is scheduled to be extradited to Tennessee within 30 days to face his charges in Blount County.
The BCSO Investigation unit began an inquiry into Torres in late December 2024 when three female juvenile victims (two 14-year-olds and one 13-year-old) came forward with information that an individual they believed was a male juvenile befriended them on Snapchat. That individual then began coercing the girls into sending him inappropriate photos and videos. When the victims refused, the suspect threatened them by telling them he knew where they lived and that he would release the photos and videos publicly if they didn’t continue communications with him. He also mailed inappropriate materials to one of the victims. Using a series of investigative techniques, the Blount County Sheriff’s investigator identified Torres as the perpetrator of these crimes as well as tied him to victims in other states.
With the help of the U.S. Marshals Eastern District of Tennessee Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force – Tampa, Torres was arrested on the 32 charges earlier this year, however, a Florida judge released Torres with no bond conditions or instructions to report to Tennessee. After his release, Torres began communications with other victims outside of Tennessee.
The U.S. Marshals Service – FCRFTF took Torres into custody Friday evening.
Law enforcement authorities urge parents to monitor their children’s online activity.