MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Detectives are searching for more information about possible victims of a suspected human trafficker who was arrested earlier this year, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
In a release on Thursday, deputies said they responded to a home in the county back in February after a grandmother discovered her 15-year-old granddaughter was having “disturbing conversations” with men on her phone.
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After examining the phone, detectives said they found a video of the teen “engaging in a sexual act” with the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Morani Davon Daron Hopkins. There were also messages where Hopkins asked her to send sexually explicit videos and photos to him, which she did, deputies added.
Deputies later found Hopkins on June 14, and during an interview, he admitted to asking for the videos, the release says. Investigators said he gave the girl marijuana cigarettes and nicotine vapes.
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As a result of the investigation, Hopkins was arrested and charged with lewd/lascivious battery, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, six counts of directing the sexual performance of a child, and six counts of possessing child pornography.
But that wasn’t the end of the case.
Following Hopkins’ arrest, detectives explained they obtained a search warrant for his phone, “which held significant evidence that showed a pattern of Hopkins’ seeking out vulnerable children, providing them with narcotics, and producing child sexual abuse material with his victims,” the release reads.
Thanks to the discovery, deputies said they were able to identify three more child victims from Marion County.
Last week, Hopkins — who was still in custody at the county jail — was given the following additional charges:
- 2 counts of human trafficking
- 11 counts of directing the sexual performance of a child
- 21 counts of possessing child pornography
- 2 counts of probation violation
Due to these charges, Hopkins is being held without bond.
According to investigators, there are still children in the videos recovered from Hopkins’ phone who haven’t yet been identified.
Anyone with information about someone who has had contact with Hopkins is urged to call detectives at (352) 351-4710.
Alternatively, tips can be made anonymously via Crime Stoppers of Marion County at (352) 368-7867.
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