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Stephen Hovanic, the Chief of Staff for Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools in the US, was apprehended during a human trafficking operation in Coweta County, Georgia.

Hovanic, a 64-year-old from Sharpsburg, Georgia, was among 26 individuals arrested on Nov. 15 as part of a sting operation that targeted activities related to prostitution, drugs, weapons, and warrants, as per the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office. He faces charges of pandering, which in Georgia refers to inducing or compelling someone to engage in prostitution and is considered a misdemeanor.

According to Sgt. Toby Nix of the Sheriff’s Office, “Pandering is not a victimless crime, as the demand for prostitution drives the sex-trafficking market.” The operation was a collaborative effort involving the Coweta and Haralson County Sheriff’s Offices, the Department of Homeland Security, and Frontline Response Out of Darkness, an organization dedicated to rescuing and supporting victims of sex trafficking and homelessness. The Haralson County Sheriff’s Office reported the rescue of six victims during the sting.

Hovanic has been an educator for over 40 years, holding various roles, such as a high school vocational teacher, coach, and school administrator in Virginia before joining DoDEA in 1996. He served as Quantico High School’s assistant principal, then Dahlgren School’s principal, and later as an instructional systems specialist.

William Griffin, a spokesperson for DoDEA, confirmed that Hovanic is currently on leave and noted the ongoing legal proceedings in response to inquiries about the incident.

Penalties for pandering in Georgia include up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.