RIVERVIEW, FL - Authorities with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) have arrested an after-school care teacher for sending inappropriate messages via social media to a 13-year-old student.
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Marcos Suarez Arroyo, allegedly sent "inappropriate TikTok messages" to the teenage student between the months of January 2023 and February 2023. The messages, however, were not reported until December 12, 2023, after the suspect was fired for "poor performance."
HCSO Chief Communications Officer Amanda Granit said in a statement, "After that is when administrators started hearing rumors going around the school that he was having inappropriate conversations with students via the TikTok app." Those individuals reported what they heard to the Florida Department of Children and Families and that is when HCSO got involved.
She said, "We learned he was messaging a 13-year-old student through TikTok inappropriate messages, trying to get this teenager to send him inappropriate pictures, trying to solicit an inappropriate relationship with this teenager."
The press release from HCSO states that Arroyo has been charged with use of computer services or devices to solicit certain illegal acts and the transmission of harmful material to a minor. According to the sheriff's office, "Between January and February of 2023, a 13-year-old student at the BridgePrep Academy of Riverview received inappropriate TikTok messages from Marcus Suarez Arroyo, 20, who was employed as an after-school care teacher at the time of the incident."
During the investigation, detectives stated that they observed several inappropriate messages along with statements of "soliciting, luring and enticing the victim to engage in unlawful sexual conduct."
In a statement, Sheriff Chad Chonister said, "The despicable actions of this man are infuriating and disgusting as he sought to prey upon a vulnerable minor, all while holding the trusted position of a teacher. I am grateful to our detectives who work tirelessly to protect and defend the innocent children in our community to ensure that parents are able to confidently send their children to school knowing they will be safe."
Arroyo allegedly has not been back on campus since November 20, 2023 and has been banned from school premises. Detectives do not believe there were any of victims, but if anyone else had information on Arroyo, they are encouraged to call HSCO at 813-247-8200.
The arrest of Arroyo comes as Florida lawmakers move forward with an amended bill that effectively bans anyone under the age of 14 from creating a social media account and that would require 14 and 15-year-olds to have an opt-in from a parent.
In a Polk County press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, "Social media is like a predator's best friend. When I was growing up, a predator could be in the neighborhood and try to do something which was obviously a problem. But now, a predator could be in your home virtually talking directly to a 12 or 13-year-old kid."
Florida's House Speaker Paul Renner said that he is expecting a barrage of lawsuits from big tech companies in an effort to challenge the law. He said, "States around the country are fighting to keep kids safe from the dangers of social media. The Florida legislature passed the strongest legislation in the nation focused on the addictive features that are proven to harm the development of children. In Florida, we will protect our children and we are urging other states to join us."
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Marcos Suarez Arroyo, allegedly sent "inappropriate TikTok messages" to the teenage student between the months of January 2023 and February 2023. The messages, however, were not reported until December 12, 2023, after the suspect was fired for "poor performance."
HCSO Chief Communications Officer Amanda Granit said in a statement, "After that is when administrators started hearing rumors going around the school that he was having inappropriate conversations with students via the TikTok app." Those individuals reported what they heard to the Florida Department of Children and Families and that is when HCSO got involved.
She said, "We learned he was messaging a 13-year-old student through TikTok inappropriate messages, trying to get this teenager to send him inappropriate pictures, trying to solicit an inappropriate relationship with this teenager."
The press release from HCSO states that Arroyo has been charged with use of computer services or devices to solicit certain illegal acts and the transmission of harmful material to a minor. According to the sheriff's office, "Between January and February of 2023, a 13-year-old student at the BridgePrep Academy of Riverview received inappropriate TikTok messages from Marcus Suarez Arroyo, 20, who was employed as an after-school care teacher at the time of the incident."
During the investigation, detectives stated that they observed several inappropriate messages along with statements of "soliciting, luring and enticing the victim to engage in unlawful sexual conduct."
In a statement, Sheriff Chad Chonister said, "The despicable actions of this man are infuriating and disgusting as he sought to prey upon a vulnerable minor, all while holding the trusted position of a teacher. I am grateful to our detectives who work tirelessly to protect and defend the innocent children in our community to ensure that parents are able to confidently send their children to school knowing they will be safe."
Arroyo allegedly has not been back on campus since November 20, 2023 and has been banned from school premises. Detectives do not believe there were any of victims, but if anyone else had information on Arroyo, they are encouraged to call HSCO at 813-247-8200.
The arrest of Arroyo comes as Florida lawmakers move forward with an amended bill that effectively bans anyone under the age of 14 from creating a social media account and that would require 14 and 15-year-olds to have an opt-in from a parent.
In a Polk County press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, "Social media is like a predator's best friend. When I was growing up, a predator could be in the neighborhood and try to do something which was obviously a problem. But now, a predator could be in your home virtually talking directly to a 12 or 13-year-old kid."
Florida's House Speaker Paul Renner said that he is expecting a barrage of lawsuits from big tech companies in an effort to challenge the law. He said, "States around the country are fighting to keep kids safe from the dangers of social media. The Florida legislature passed the strongest legislation in the nation focused on the addictive features that are proven to harm the development of children. In Florida, we will protect our children and we are urging other states to join us."
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