A senior Pentagon official responsible for overseeing federally operated school systems in the Americas has been apprehended in a human-trafficking sting conducted in Georgia.
Last week, the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) disclosed the arrest of 26 individuals, including Stephen Hovanic, the former chief of staff for the Americas division of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), in connection with an alleged human-trafficking ring.According to reports, Hovanic held the position since 2010, as indicated on his LinkedIn profile.Authorities have charged the 64-year-old Hovanic with pandering, a misdemeanor in Georgia, alleging that he solicited sex in a motel room with an undercover agent
The significance of this operation cannot be overstated for several reasons. Firstly, sex buyers pose a significant challenge in the industry. Without their demand, there wouldn’t be a market that perpetuates the victimization of females,” emphasized an agent in an interview with FOX 5, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “Secondly, and perhaps most crucially, our primary concern is the well-being of these females. The lifestyle they are caught in offers no positive outcomes for them, so the overarching goal is to rescue them from this harmful environment.”
The two-day operation unfolded on November 15 and 16, leading to the rescue of six human trafficking victims. The Haralson County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, which collaborated with the CCSO investigation, shared the update on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday. The victims have been safely relocated to ensure their well-being.
A total of 26 arrests were executed during the operation, comprising 12 for prostitution, 10 for pandering, and four for pimping, as reported by the HCSO. Furthermore, three individuals are presently under investigation for charges related to human trafficking and drugs.
It’s noteworthy that the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), responsible for overseeing 160 schools in 11 countries, seven states, Guam, and Puerto Rico, has approximately 15,000 employees. The school system plays a crucial role in serving nearly 70,000 children from military and Department of Defense families.
The commitment of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is explicitly articulated on their website, affirming their dedication to delivering a world-class education for all school-aged children from military families. The overarching goal is to prepare these students for success in postsecondary education and/or their chosen careers, fostering their ability to become influential contributors in both their communities and the globally interconnected landscape of the 21st century.
