Sheriff: Victim rescued from human trafficking operation, 5 arrested

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced the completion of two undercover human trafficking investigations Thursday which led to one person being rescued and five others being arrested.

Back on Dec. 4, Chronister said detectives came in contact with an 18-year-old human trafficking victim during a traffic stop in Tampa.

While conducting an operation at a nearby hotel, detectives saw multiple men going to and from a room that the victim and 28-year-old Paige Ashley Fried were leaving. After developing probable cause, Chronister said detectives conducted the traffic stop on Fried’s vehicle and arrested her for possession of illegal drugs. The victim had an outstanding warrant for grand theft and was also arrested.