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Deputies: Tampa firefighter among men arrested for soliciting sex

Posted at 9:23 PM, Apr 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-04 11:33:06-04

TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa firefighter was among four men arrested for solicitation in Hillsborough County, according to the sheriff's office.

Brian Hatzler, 46, is a Tampa Fire Rescue firefighter. The sheriff's office says he was in his duty uniform when he solicited sexual acts from an undercover detective.

Hatzler was arrested along with 30-year-old Curtis Hargrove, 44-year-old Lucio Martinez and 25-year-old Jawuan Hicks.

The sheriff's office says each man will face a charge for soliciting another to commit prostitution.

"Today's arrests were just one prong in a multi-faceted approach at combating human trafficking," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "By attacking prostitution head on, we are trying to take away the financial incentive behind trafficking and hopefully it sends a message to others that this won't be tolerated in Hillsborough County."

Authorities conducted an operation targeting "johns" in the University Community area of Tampa. They say a total of 17 men engaged with undercover detectives during their investigation.