PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The Pasco Sheriff's Office arrested a 35-year-old man for lewd and lascivious acts, with more charges coming, after he interacted online with someone he believed to be a minor, but was a detective.
According to the Pasco Sheriff's Office, a tip from FDLE led detectives to Juan Carlos Lugo, 35. Lugo was communicating with a person he thought was a minor, but in reality, the person on the other end was a detective from the South Daytona Police Department.
Pasco detectives said during the conversation, Lugo sent a video of himself performing a sexual act while in the presence of two children, ages seven and nine, that he knew. Lugo also allegedly offered the two children to the detective (who he believed to be a minor) to have a sexual encounter with them.
Multiple law enforcement agencies began searching for Lugo and eventually arrested him on Friday in the Shoreline Drive area of New Port Richey. More charges in addition to the lewd and lascivious acts are expected to be filed.
The Pasco Sheriff's Office said both children are safe and are receiving all necessary resources.
"He thought he was conversing with a 14-year-old girl in the state of Florida," said Sheriff Chris Nocco. "There's a lot of young teenagers that are on social media. They're conversing with people. Please have conversation with your kids. Talk to them about the bad things that happen on social media."
The sheriff's office said there are no reports of additional victims at this time, but the investigation is ongoing. If you or a loved one believe you may be a victim, call PSO Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 or report tips online at Pasco Sheriff Tips
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