TAMPA, FL — A Pinellas Park Fire Department lieutenant, the owner of a Kona Ice shaved ice truck from Seffner and a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center have been accused of soliciting sex for money following a Hillsborough County sheriff’s human trafficking undercover operation.
Among the first to be arrested was Jay Saxe, 33, who arrived at a trailer to meet and pay for sex with an undercover detective he believed was a 14-year-old girl. Saxe owned a Kona Ice truck that circulated around Lakeland. However, in a statement emailed to Patch, Kona Ice said it ended its franchise agreement with Saxe following his arrest.
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“Since its inception 15 years ago, Kona Ice has given back to schools and organizations in more than 1,400 communities nationwide. As a franchise organization, we remain stalwart in our mission to have a positive impact on the people and communities we serve,” Kona Ice said.
Pinellas Park Fire Department Lt. Brian Streeter, 50, also was relieved from duty with the fire department after the sheriff’s office said he also arranged to meet an undercover detective he believed to be a 14-year-old girl to have sex for $60.
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Streeter, who began working for Pinellas Park in 2003, was fired after city officials were notified of his arrest, said City Manager Bart Diebold.
“We will all work hard to regain the trust from our community that Mr. Streeter stole from us,” Diebold said in the statement.
Also arrested last week was Martial Boutchueng Djidjou, 44, a cancer researcher with the Moffitt Cancer Institute in Tampa. Detectives said he also traveled to meet a minor he agreed to pay in exchange for sex. There’s been no comment from the cancer center on Djidjou’s status.
“While these men may be trying to hide their disgusting life choices in the shadows of our community, our detectives are the beacon of light,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister on Friday. “Our detectives will continue to track down anyone participating in this vile behavior and make sure they are held accountable.”
Arrested on sex trafficking charges were, from left, Martial Boutchueng Djidjou, Jay Saxe and Brian Streeter.
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