TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said deputies rescued two human trafficking victims last week.
HCSO said a 20-year-old woman met Roannil Fentress, 31, on a popular dating app. Fentress allegedly lured the survivor from Jacksonville to Tampa and coerced her into the sex industry.
Investigators said Fentress took control of her earnings and her life. The victim would make about $1,000 a day and when she "didn't meet her sales number," investigators said Fentress would physically and sexually abuse her.
On May 24, HCSO said Fentress and the survivor responded to an escort advertisement that detectives put out as part of an undercover human trafficking investigation. Detectives were then able to contact the survivor at an area hotel.
“When she was met with our human trafficking squad, she immediately broke down. She immediately became overwhelmed with emotion, confessing that she was being trafficked against her will," Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
Deputies took Fentress into custody and the survivor is now receiving support. Fentress had a long criminal history with 19 felony charges and three felony convictions. He is being charged with human trafficking, deriving proceeds from prostitution, and forcing another to become a prostitute.
The second woman who was rescued during the operation had suffered under her trafficker, Vanzini Hansell, 42, for the past 15 years, according to HCSO.
According to HCSO, the victim suffered years of extreme violence and emotional trauma. Investigators said the woman was frequently strip-searched for money and valuables she might be hiding.
When Hansell thought the victim was pregnant, Sheriff Chronister said he would repeatedly punch her in the stomach to try to end the pregnancy.
On May 25, the second survivor was beaten again and went to Tampa General Hospital for treatment. Deputies who responded believed she might be a human trafficking victim and called the Human Trafficking Squad.
HCSO said Hansell was arrested in Pasco County and is awaiting extradition to Hillsborough County to face charges. Hansell is being charged with human trafficking, deriving proceeds, forcing another to become a prostitute, and felony battery.
“I’m standing here in awe of the strength and courage of these two women for coming forward," Chronister said.
HCSO's partnership with the nonprofit Selah Freedom on human trafficking operations helps survivors come forward, leading to more rescues.
“They were a game changer for us. Because some of their staff are people who used to be victims of human trafficking themselves and now they’re advocating, they’re sharing, they’re paying it forward by sharing their experiences with other women," Chronister said. “A lot of times the last people these victims of human trafficking trust — is law enforcement.”
Chronister said that's because victims may think law enforcement isn't going to be able to help, is only there to get them in more trouble, or could cause them to be beaten more by their trafficker.
“When we do our operations, they’re with us. So when we make contact with possible victims of human trafficking, they’re right there," Chronister said of a team from Selah Freedom. "They’re right there on scene. At times, we do the smart thing. We back out and let them have the conversation. We let them have the conversation, they build the rapport and I think our human trafficking squad, along with other deputies with their advanced training, are starting to learn that the biggest obstacle is building that rapport."
Misty LaPerriere, with Selah Freedom, said one of the most important things is to listen to survivors about what they need.
"We are there to be able to offer immediate support and services and to build rapport with that survivor so they know that there is help and they can come forward and they do have something there for them," LaPerriere said.
Investigators believe there might be more victims from both men. HCSO asked anyone who may know a victim or who was a victim of the two men to call law enforcement directly or the state's hotline, 1-855-FLA-SAFE.
