Top Pentagon official, 64, who oversaw the entire US military school system, has been busted ‘paying undercover agent for sex in a motel room where he asked “can we do half an hour”‘ – before claiming to police he was there alone for a massage
A top Pentagon official has been arrested for allegedly paying an undercover police officer for sex in a motel room – before claiming to police he was only there for a massage.
Stephen Hovanic, 64, of Sharpsburg, Georgia, entered the room with the woman, placed his sunglasses next to a condom and asked her if they could “do it for half an hour” before police stormed in.
A video released by the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office revealed the moment Hovanic was captured at the motel on Nov. 15 — in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.
Hovanic was charged with pandering, which amounts to soliciting sex.
He worked for the Department of Defense Education Activity for more than 20 years, overseeing the schools that educated U.S. military children on bases around the world.
Stephen Hovanic, 64, of Sharpsburg, Georgia, entered the room with the woman, placed his sunglasses near a condom and asked her if they could “do a half hour” before police officers burst through the door.
Hovanic was charged with pandering, which amounts to soliciting sex
For the past thirteen years, Hovanic has also served as chief of staff of US Department of Defense schools.
Hovanic’s interaction with the woman – including giving money – was captured on video.
He can be heard introducing himself to the undercover officer, shaking “Katie’s” hand and saying, “Nice to meet you.” You are beautiful.
“I told you I’d shower before I got here.” The video then shows Hovanic saying to the woman, “Can we do half an hour?”
The agent tells him that she doesn’t “play until he pays,” meaning he has to give her money before any activity begins. He says, ‘I understand. That is fair.’
Hovanic’s interaction with the woman – including giving money – was captured on video. His sunglasses are next to a condom on the desk (far right of frame)
He shakes hands with ‘Katie’, an undercover police officer, and chats before handing over her money
Two officers then suddenly walk into the room and arrest the DOD administrator
Hovanic then hands over her money, before moving to another part of the motel room. Shortly afterwards, two police officers rush into the room and handcuff him.
He shouts that he was only there to get a massage – which officers have since doubted.
The two-day operation also resulted in the rescue of six human trafficking victims, whose names have not been released, the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office said.
In total, the sting led to 26 arrests, including eight prostitution arrests.
The charges include prostitution, pandering and pimping. Three individuals are currently under investigation for human trafficking and drug abuse.
One officer told FOX 5, “These types of operations are very important to us because sex buyers are a major problem in the industry in the first place.
‘Without sex buyers, there would be no market in which women could continue to be victimized.
“Second, and probably most important to all of us, is the victimization of these women.
“There is no good scenario for them in this lifestyle, so the goal is to get them out of this lifestyle.”
The DoDEA, the Department of Defense Education Activity, said it is “aware of an alleged incident involving a DoDEA employee in the Americas Region.”
‘As legal proceedings are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. Any questions regarding the incident should be directed to the appropriate local law enforcement agency.”
Earlier in November, in a separate operation, prosecutors charged three people with running a high-end brothel network in Boston and Northern Virginia whose customers included elected officials.
For the past thirteen years, Hovanic has also served as chief of staff of US Department of Defense schools
In the video, Hovanic can be seen saying to the woman, “Can we do half an hour?”
The two-day operation also resulted in the rescue of six human trafficking victims, whose names have not been released, the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office said.
Other clientele included technology and pharmaceutical industry executives, lawyers, professors and military officers, although federal prosecutors identified none of them.
Prosecutors say they paid up to $600 an hour for sexual encounters with mostly Asian women who were exploited through sex trafficking.
Acting U.S. Attorney Josh Levy announced charges against the brothels’ alleged operators, Han Lee, 41, and Junmyung Lee, 30, of Massachusetts and James Lee, 68, of California.
In addition to raiding locations in Massachusetts, Virginia and California, the government also seized two websites linked to the ring.
At a press conference, Levy said: ‘This commercial sex ring is built on secrecy and exclusivity and targets wealthy, well-connected clients.
“They’re doctors, they’re lawyers, they’re accountants, they’re executives at high-tech companies, pharmaceutical companies, they’re military officers, government contractors, professors, scientists.
‘Choose a profession, they are probably represented in this case. Business is going well, even to this day.’
Levy continued, “We want to work closely with our federal, state and local partners to hold accountable the people who run this ring and the people who fueled the demand for this ring.”
According to charging documents, the defendants, led by Han Lee, used luxury apartment complexes as brothels in Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts, and Fairfax and Tysons, Virginia.
An affidavit states that the women advertised commercial sex on two websites under the guise of professional nude photo shoots.
The affidavit also shows a text message sent from a phone related to the Massachusetts operation, which contains a “menu.”
According to the document, the “menu” listed the sexual services available, the hourly rate and the women available.
The affidavit states that the term “BB” is a term used in the prostitution industry to refer to unsafe sex, and that “GFE” refers to a “Girlfriend Experience.”
The document states that this is a service that “blurs the lines between a financial transaction and a romantic relationship.”