A Florida couple, a firefighter and his spouse, are accused of pressuring a minor to engage in sexual activity at their residence.
After the 16-year-old boy came forward and made accusations about what the two allegedly forced him to do at their Riverview home, Sascha and Alyssa Engel were placed under arrest.
Before they were detained, Sascha, 39, was employed by Hillsborough County as a Fire Rescue lieutenant, and his wife, 37-year-old Alyssa, was employed by the state attorney’s office. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the 16-year-old man who was staying over at the Engels’ house in March was coerced into having intercourse with Alyssa Engel.
After the adolescent alerted a responsible adult about the occurrence, the adult called the police, according to WFLA-TV.
In an officer interview, Alyssa acknowledged going around in her underwear in front of the teenager. She refuted claims of anything further, including sexual activity, occurring between them.
Both were nevertheless accused of three charges of having illicit intercourse with a child. Alyssa Engel’s prior employment at the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s office will not present a conflict, so the trial will be transferred from Hillsborough County to Polk County.
Regarding the arrests, Sheriff Chad Chronister harshly criticized the couple in a statement. “Seeing not one, but two adults band together to take advantage of a young child is both disgusting and deeply disappointing,” he stated. “Especially when one of those adults is a trusted authority in our community.” This flagrant betrayal of innocence is abhorrent and contradicts every principle that guides our community.
Following his detention, Sascha Engel was put on administrative leave without pay. The Engels appeared in court on Friday, when the judge set a bail of $50,000 for each offense or $300,000 for the two of them.
