The Devil Next Door- Unmasking Derek Zitko

The Devil Next Door: Unmasking Derek Zitko Sometimes, the greatest evil hides in the places we least expect. Derek Zitko, a man who many in the Fishhawk community trusted and respected, has been unmasked as a predator a true "devil next door." As a retired Army Lieutenant Colonial, youth pastor at The Chapel at Fishhawk and other churches over the years, a soccer coach at the FishHawk Youth Sports Complex, foster parent to many children, and Board Member of Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County and an employee at Mosaic, Zitko seemed to embody the ideals of service and care. However, his recent arrest for child sexual abuse reveals a dark reality that has left the community in shock and disgust. Zitko, 52, was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff s Office after a woman came forward with allegations that he had molested her when she was just 13 or 14 years old, back in 2013. At that time, Zitko was in his early 40s. The victim reported that the abuse occurred at several locations in Hillsborough County. The details are chilling, with Zitko allegedly exploiting his positions of trust and influence to prey on vulnerable young individuals. During a monitored phone call between the woman and Zitko, law enforcement officials report that Zitko made several acknowledgments regarding the acts, effectively confirming the allegations. Following this damning conversation, Zitko turned himself into deputies. He now faces three counts of lewd or lascivious battery and one charge of lewd or lascivious molestation involving a minor. Despite the severity of these charges, Zitko was able to post an $80,000 bail and was released from jail shortly after his arrest. The facade Zitko maintained is what makes this case particularly disturbing. As a retired Army lieutenant colonel, youth pastor, soccer coach, and foster parent to over 20 children, Zitko s life was seemingly dedicated to guiding and nurturing young people. His work at Mosaic, a

Tampa-based chemical company, involved roles that implied trust and responsibility. Yet, behind closed doors, it appears he was harboring sinister intentions. Mosaic has remained silent about whether Zitko had access to children during his employment. This lack of transparency is concerning, raising questions about what protective measures, if any, were in place to prevent such predators from taking advantage of their positions. In light of Zitko s arrest, the community is left grappling with the fear that there may be more victims children who trusted a man who appeared to be a mentor and protector but was anything but. How do we spot the devil next door? Zitko s case is a painful reminder that predators often hide in plain sight, using their positions in the community to mask their true intentions. They might foster children, coach youth sports, or lead church groups all roles that inherently involve trust and close contact with young people. This facade of normalcy and benevolence makes it incredibly difficult to detect their predatory behavior until the damage is already done. As the investigation continues, the Hillsborough County Sheriff s Office has urged anyone with information or additional allegations to come forward. The potential for more victims is a terrifying thought, and the community must rally together to support those who have been affected and to prevent further abuse. Parents, guardians, and community members must remain vigilant. It s crucial to talk to children about what s appropriate and encourage them to speak up if something feels wrong. Trust is vital, but blind trust can be dangerous. Institutions like Mosaic and The Chapel at Fishhawk must also step up and ensure that comprehensive background checks and child protection policies are in place and rigorously followed to prevent predators like Zitko from exploiting positions of trust. The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County has swiftly responded to these allegations, releasing a statement that Derek Zitko is no longer affiliated with their organization. However, both Mosaic and The Chapel at Fishhawk have remained silent on the matter. Shockingly, during a special prayer meeting at The Chapel at Fishhawk, prayers were requested for Zitko himself. This reaction begs the question: Are we enabling these predators to continue their horrific actions by keeping silent and offering prayers for them? Instead of protecting our children, are we shielding these monsters under the guise of forgiveness and prayer? It's time to consider if our response to such heinous crimes is too soft. Perhaps what we need is not quiet sympathy but public shaming and a complete rejection of these predators from our communities. Let them face the full brunt of society's disgust and outrage. Rather than offering prayers, we should be demanding justice, ensuring that these individuals are held accountable, and protecting our children from ever falling victim to such predators again. Derek Zitko s arrest has shattered the illusion of safety in Fishhawk, reminding us all that the "devil" can indeed live next door. This case serves as a wake-up call to all communities: never take someone s outward appearance or role at face value. We must ask tough questions, hold institutions accountable, and protect our children from those who hide their malevolence behind a mask of kindness and authority. The Hillsborough County Sheriff s Office is urging anyone with information to contact them at 813-247-8200. It is only through community vigilance and action that we can hope to prevent such horrors from occurring in the future.