WINTER HAVEN, FL, Oct. 31, 2026 — The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested 281 people during a seven-day undercover operation targeting people who travel to meet children for sex and human trafficking, it announced Friday. The operation was called "Polk Around and Find Out II."
According to the sheriff's office:
- Charges: 198 felonies and 290 misdemeanors in total.
- Child predator arrests: 31 suspects who, detectives say, solicited people they believed were children or children's guardians online.
- Prostitution-related arrests: 239, including soliciting, offering to commit prostitution, and aiding or transporting.
- Victims: 11 human trafficking victims identified. All 122 people who traveled to commit prostitution were screened and offered services.
- Theme parks: "17 of the suspects told detectives they work at local theme parks or resorts, including Disney World and Universal Studios," including 7 of the child predator suspects, the release says.
One of those arrested is an Orange County deputy sheriff, charged with one misdemeanor count of soliciting a prostitute, the sheriff's office says.
"This is why it's critically important that parents continually monitor not only their children's online activities, but also to know who the adults are in your children's lives," Sheriff Grady Judd said.
Agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, Attorney General James Uthmeier's Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Florida Department of Financial Services took part.
Sources: Polk County Sheriff's Office news release, Oct. 30, 2026.
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