Suspect arrested in Florida on a Blount County 32 felony count indictment

Blount County, Tennessee – Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong announced that a Florida man was taken into custody in Florida Friday evening on a 32-count felony indictment involving three Blount County juvenile victims.

Friday evening, the U.S. Marshals Service Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force – Tampa office, arrested Giovannie Lazaro Torres, age 30, of Tampa at his home on a 32-count indictment including the following charges issued by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office:

• Continuous sexual abuse of a child (1 count)
• Sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means (13 counts)
• Especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor (5 counts)
• Aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor (4 counts)
• Unlawful exposure (1 count)
• Sexual exploitation of a minor (3 counts)
• Sale, loan, or exhibition of material to minors (1 count)
• Aggravated stalking (2 counts)
• Harassment (2 counts)

Torres is scheduled to be extradited to Tennessee within 30 days to face his charges in Blount County.

The Sheriff’s Office Investigation unit began an inquiry into Torres in late December 2024 when three female juvenile victims (two 14-year-olds and one 13-year-old) came forward with information that an individual on Snapchat befriended them who they believed was a male juvenile. That individual then began coercing the girls into sending him inappropriate photos and videos. When the victims refused, the suspect threatened them by telling them he knew where they lived and that he would release the photos and videos publicly if they didn’t continue communications with him. He also mailed inappropriate materials to one of the victims. Using a series of investigative techniques, the Blount County Sheriff’s investigator identified Torres as the perpetrator of these crimes as well as tied him to victims in other states.

With the help of the U.S. Marshals Eastern District of Tennessee Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force – Tampa (FCRFTF), Torres was arrested on the 32 charges earlier this year, however a Florida judge released Torres with no bond conditions or instructions to report to Tennessee. After his release, Torres resumed communications with other victims outside of Tennessee. With the assistance of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the U.S. Marshals Service – FCRTFF took Torres into custody Friday evening on a Governor’s warrant.

“It is a relief to know that our three local victims as well as the victims out of state are now safe from Mr. Torres and his despicable crimes,” Sheriff Berrong said. “I am incredibly proud of our investigator who worked tirelessly to identify Torres as the suspect.  It’s reassuring to know that we can count on our relationships with other law enforcement agencies across state lines to assist when needed. I also greatly appreciate the intervention of the Governor’s offices in Tennessee and Florida for their help in getting Torres into custody.”

Sheriff Berrong continued, “Parents, please keep an eye on who your children are conversing with online. In this case the perpetrator was using Snapchat to victimize juveniles, but your kids aren’t safe from predators on any social media platform. There is nothing wrong with monitoring your child’s online activity. It could save your child from unnecessary trauma and possibly a ruined life.”

Sheriff Berrong would like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of Tennessee Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force, the U.S. Marshal Service Florida Caribbean Regional Task Force – Tampa Office, Tampa Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s office, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s office for their assistance.