Human Trafficking Sting In Polk County Nets 277 Arrests: Sheriff

LAKELAND, FL - Pharmacists, a lawyer and even a sheriff’s department sergeant were among 277 suspects arrested in an undercover operation focusing on human trafficking and online prostitution. The investigation called “Operation No Tricks, No Treats” also nabbed two sex offenders and two men who were attempting to have sex with minors, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

The undercover operation took place at two undisclosed locations in Polk County, beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 10 through Monday, Oct. 16. Polk County Sheriff's undercover detectives, along with detectives and investigators from other law enforcement agencies, conducted a week-long investigation

Fifty-one of the arrests were for those who advertise as prostitutes online and 209 of the arrests were those who solicited undercover detectives who posted ads posing as prostitutes. Seventeen other arrests were made of those who derive proceeds from prostitution, or other offenses, the sheriff said in a press release.

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The sheriff’s office even arrested a member of the department, former Sgt. Luis Diaz who resigned after 17 years. The youngest suspect arrested was 16-years old, and the oldest suspect was 74-years old.

During the operation, undercover detectives posted fictitious ads or profiles on various social media platforms, websites, and mobile phone applications, posing as prostitutes or those soliciting prostitutes. Some of the detectives responded to profiles and online ads posted by prostitutes. Numerous suspects responded to the ads and drove to one of the two different undercover locations to engage in illegal prostitution.

"We are committed to fighting human trafficking, by arresting those who engage in prostitution and trying to identify human trafficking victims. It's no secret...you need to stay out of Polk County if you're going to commit crime,” Judd said.

Those arrested face a total of 334 charges (36 felony, 298 misdemeanor), including human trafficking, traveling to meet a child for sexual conduct, transmit material harmful to a minor, soliciting another for prostitution, offer to commit prostitution, transporting for prostitution, drug and paraphernalia possession, battery, violation of probation, and resisting arrest. Those arrested already had a combined prior history of 897 charges (371 felony, 526 misdemeanor).

The undercover operation included detectives and agents from the following agencies: Haines City police; Lakeland police; Lake Wales police, and Winter Haven police; working in conjunction with members of the State Attorney's Office.

Of the 277 suspects arrested, 215 drove to Polk County from various counties across Florida; or were visiting Florida from: Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

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