Polk County Sheriff’s Human Trafficking Crackdown
Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County, Florida, has highlighted an undocumented immigrant, who participated in the January 6 Capitol events and has gained attention on social media, in his ongoing investigation. This comes after an extensive undercover operation led to 266 arrests related to human trafficking, prostitution, and child predation.
During a press conference, Judd shared a detailed account of some of the notable incidents from the “Polk Around and Find Out” operation, which involved multiple agencies. “In total, we arrested 266 individuals,” he stated, noting that “about 247 of those were linked to human trafficking operations.” The suspects together had a staggering “1,028 prior charges,” with an additional “439 charges” registered since the operation began.
Interestingly, these arrests included individuals from 11 states and 18 countries. Judd emphasized the seriousness of these crimes, asserting that, contrary to some beliefs, “it’s not low-level or non-violent; it’s violent and dangerous.” One highlighted individual was Ryan Yates, from Odessa, Florida, who was previously convicted and later pardoned for his involvement in the Capitol riot.
Judd remarked, “He used the federal system to avoid consequences. But here, that’s not the case. He came here to break the law, and we arrested him.” Another suspect, Craig Long II, a 41-year-old fitness business owner and self-identified “MAGA influencer,” also drew attention. Judd commented on how Long, despite his past legal issues, now portrays himself as an influencer online.
In a more alarming case, Judd described Uno Garcia, an illegal immigrant from Cuba, who allegedly forced his wife into prostitution, labeling it a “family affair.” He also discussed Shannon Brooks, who reportedly left her 7-year-old child unattended during a sexual encounter. “Is this the kind of parenting we want? Come on,” Judd expressed incredulity at her actions.
In a separate incident, Derek Partita, 37, was arrested after leaving his 10-year-old child in his car while trying to meet a prostitute. “This is a very sad situation,” Judd noted. Another suspect, 27-year-old J.R. Jackman, had high-level military security clearance, prompting Judd to question the safety of allowing someone in his position to engage in such activities.
Additionally, Salvador Villarrel, a public works employee, was reportedly apprehended while in a government vehicle. “He doesn’t have a county truck; he doesn’t hold a county job. But he does have a county jail,” Judd remarked.
Of those arrested, the majority were linked to prostitution and human trafficking, while a few faced charges related to child exploitation, including attempts to engage minors in sexual activities. Notably, 34 of the arrested individuals were found to be in the U.S. illegally.
This operation involved cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies and is part of a broader initiative to tackle both buyers and intermediaries in prostitution networks. The efforts reportedly remain ongoing.
