Former Hillsborough deputy, youth group leader accused of child molestation: HCSO

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hillsborough County detectives are looking for victims in a child molestation case involving a former deputy and youth group leader, according to the sheriff’s office.

Detectives said Pablo Rios Hernandez, 41, was under investigation for over a year after they got a tip he was allegedly molesting a 12-year-old on Feb. 24, 2023.

The following month, the HCSO Special Victim’s Unit searched his home and found electronic storage devices that had “items of evidential value.”

Charges would eventually be filed against Rios Hernandez on Sept. 11, 2024. The sheriff’s office said these include:

• Sexual Battery Familiar or Custodial Authority
• Lewd or Lascivious Molestation Defendant over 18 Victims 12-15 (x4)
• Sell or Distribute Obscene Material to a Minor
• Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device

“I am appalled and disgusted by the actions of this individual who preyed upon a child. There is no place in our community for these types of evil actions,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “To anyone who may have suffered in silence at the hands of this predator, I urge you to come forward and speak with our detectives.

Detectives said prior to his arrest, Rios Hernandez was an HCSO deputy from 2006 to 2019 and a youth group leader at First Baptist Church of Riverview from August 2021 to February 2022. A 2016 photo on the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page showed Rios Hernandez in uniform speaking with two small children.

The HCSO is looking for any other victims of Rios Hernandez and asked any potential victims to call them at 813-247-8200.

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