Florida Lawmakers Conduct Sting Leading to 266 Arrests

In a six-day operation aimed at suspected human traffickers, child predators, and illegal immigrants, Florida lawmakers apprehended 266 individuals. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), led by Sheriff Grady Judd, unveiled the results of this initiative, dubbed “Polk Around and Find Out.”

Of the total arrests, 247 were linked to human trafficking, and there were also 19 additional cases concerning child sex offenders. According to PCSO and some reports, among those arrested for human trafficking, 34 individuals were in the U.S. illegally, and 22 were receiving public benefits that exceeded $15,000 monthly.

The suspects collectively had over 1,000 prior criminal charges, with investigators filing 439 new criminal charges during this operation. Notably, the individuals who were taken into custody came from 11 different states and 18 countries, and interestingly, 35 of them were reportedly married. Judd pointed out that some suspects even arrived armed due to the circumstances of the operation.

Judd took the opportunity to criticize the media for misrepresenting the role of the Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the sting.

Several suspects were publicly named, including Craig Long II, who is the owner of a Tampa gym. Despite posting pro-law enforcement content on his social media, he was reportedly engaged in soliciting sex while boasting over 500,000 followers.

“Yes, you were arrested in a human trafficking sting,” Judd remarked to Long, indicating the gravity of the situation. Long’s attorney has stated a plea of not guilty.

There was another case involving a 44-year-old utility worker who was using a government vehicle to engage in sexual acts—his supervisor initially dismissed the call from investigators as a joke.

In a rather alarming incident, a 27-year-old who claimed to have the “highest security privileges” as an Air Force cybersecurity contractor reportedly offered $200 for sex. Judd expressed concern about the implications of such a security clearance being misused.

Additionally, one woman initially arrested for soliciting prostitution managed to post bail, but quickly returned to online advertising, which led to her second arrest at a different sting location.

According to PCSO, during the screening process of 127 individuals believed to be traveling for prostitution, they identified seven potential human trafficking victims, and social services provided necessary support during the operation.