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Top Defense Department school official arrested in human trafficking sting
The Blaze ^ | November 27, 2023 | Chris Enloe

Posted on 11/27/2023 3:58:05 PM PST by Twotone

A top official with the Department of Defense Education Activity was arrested earlier this month in an undercover human trafficking sting.

Last week, Georgia law enforcement announced that 26 people had been arrested as part of a two-day undercover human trafficking sting conducted by the Coweta County Sheriff's Office.

Among those arrested was 64-year-old Stephen Hovanic, chief of staff for Defense Department schools in the Americas. The agency is the federal school system for the Defense Department, operating schools for military families and Pentagon families.

Hovanic is charged with pandering, a misdemeanor in Georgia. Law enforcement alleges that Hovanic tried to solicit sex from an undercover officer in a hotel room on Nov. 15, WAGA-TV reported. He allegedly told law enforcement that he believed he was paying for a massage β€” not sex.

"Pandering is not a victimless crime, as the demand for prostitution drives the sex trafficking market," said Sgt. Toby Nix of the Coweta County Sheriff's Office.

Hovanic was released from police custody on Nov. 16 after posting bond. DODEA spokesman Will Griffin confirmed that Hovanic is now on a leave of absence from the agency.

"We are aware of an alleged incident involving a DoDEA employee in the Americas Region," Griffin told Stars and Stripes. "As there are ongoing legal processes, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

Through the operation, officers rescued six human trafficking victims.

An undercover female officer who participated in the sting explained why the operation was "really important."

"This kind of operation is really important to us because, number one, sex buyers are a huge problem in the industry. Without sex buyers, there wouldn't be a market for the females to continue to be victimized," she told WAGA. "Second, and probably most importantly for all of us, is the victimization of these females. There's not a good scenario for them in this lifestyle, so the goal is to get them out of this lifestyle."


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Georgia
KEYWORDS: cowetacounty; georgia; hovanic; humantrafficking; pandering; stephanhovanic; sting

1 posted on 11/27/2023 3:58:05 PM PST by Twotone
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To: Twotone

One of Joe’s boyz. I guess at least he isn’t hangin’ out at the airports stealing women’s luggage.


2 posted on 11/27/2023 4:00:37 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (It wasn't "genocide" when Hamas did it. Hypocrites!!!)
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To: Twotone

Between sam puppy play luggage thief, admiral lady nuts, and this creep it isn’t a surprise to hear.


3 posted on 11/27/2023 4:08:27 PM PST by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same. )
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To: FlingWingFlyer

He just wanted his chakras opened. The Al Gore defense.


4 posted on 11/27/2023 4:15:47 PM PST by Twotone
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To: Twotone

Just a massage.

Of course..


5 posted on 11/27/2023 4:23:16 PM PST by Col Frank Slade
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To: FlingWingFlyer

I wonder if Joey bot got a nice long sniff before boarding AF1


6 posted on 11/27/2023 4:28:27 PM PST by Jarhead9297
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To: Twotone

RE: he believed he was paying for a massage β€” not sex.

Already an old excuse by perps when the Naked City was in first run. One of the 8 million stories.


7 posted on 11/27/2023 4:42:59 PM PST by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging.It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls.)
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To: Twotone

I just saw a comet playing ping-pong.


8 posted on 11/27/2023 4:47:44 PM PST by Fai Mao ( Starve the Beast and steal its food)
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To: Twotone
8 Comments posted and each one is a "CLASSIC".. Really Good!


9 posted on 11/27/2023 5:19:30 PM PST by VideoDoctor
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To: Twotone
What is going on with DOD brass? Just last month:

Department of Defense official charged with running dog fighting ring

10 posted on 11/27/2023 5:26:00 PM PST by NautiNurse (πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ)
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To: Twotone

So do they just call all prostitution “trafficking” now? Or is their reason to think the hookers were not volunteers?

There are really too many 180 degree opposite narratives now.

How does one reconcile “trafficking” with “sex work is work”?


11 posted on 11/27/2023 7:30:29 PM PST by jocon307
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To: Twotone

Sex trafficking because drug trafficking will get you serious time.
Close the border


12 posted on 11/27/2023 11:14:46 PM PST by Keyhopper (Indians had bad immigration laws)
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