Police in the state of Georgia have arrested a high-ranking Pentagon official, Stephen Hovanick, who was in charge of the US Department of Defence’s Educational Activities Service division. Law enforcement authorities suspect that the man was a member of a criminal gang involved in the trafficking of “live goods” and drugs, Fox News reported.
In Georgia arrested a high-ranking Pentagon official Stephen Hovanick, who was in charge of the educational activities service unit of the US Department of Defence. The man is believed to have been a member of a criminal gang involved in human trafficking, Fox News reported.
In total, state law enforcement authorities managed to rescue six slave trafficking victims during the two-day operation, who were then transported to a “safe house.” Hovanick, 64, himself was arrested on pandering charges after he began harassing an undercover police officer at a local motel, the network noted.
“A total of 26 arrests were made: 12 for prostitution, 10 for pandering and four for pimping. Three suspects are currently under investigation for human trafficking and drug charges,” police told Fox News.
“Operations like this are of great importance to us. The first reason: sex buyers represent a huge problem in the industry. Without them, there would be no market in which women continue to be victimised. The second and probably the most important reason for all of us: these women are being bullied. This lifestyle is not a good option for them, so our goal is to get them out of it,” said a police officer involved in Hovanick’s arrest.
Representatives from the US Department of Defence’s Education Activity Service confirmed that they were “aware of an alleged incident involving” their employee. “As legal proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. Any questions regarding what happened should be directed to the appropriate local law enforcement agencies,” the organisation said.
Its official website says it represents “one of two federally managed school systems” that is “responsible for planning, directing, coordinating and administering educational programmes from preschool through grade 12 under the auspices of the Department of Defense.” The agency operates 160 schools located in seven U.S. states and 11 countries and assures that it provides a “world-class education,” Fox News notes.