Polk County sting leads to 281 arrests and 488 charges

The investigation, dubbed “Polk Around & Find Out II,” focused on people suspected of going to meet minors for illegal sexual conduct, as well as people believed to be involved in commercial sex activity. Officials reported that the group of arrestees had 798 earlier criminal charges among them. Authorities also seized 24 firearms and charged 32 people with drug possession.

Seventeen of those arrested worked at theme parks: 13 for Disney and four for Universal, Sheriff Grady Judd said. Judd said Disney informed investigators that it had dismissed employees linked to the arrests. He had not received an update about the employment status of Universal’s workers.

Officials said 40 suspects lived in Polk County; the rest were from other parts of Florida, 20 other states and 18 countries. The sheriff’s office said 32 people arrested lacked legal status in the country, and 16 had been moved into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. An ICE official said the agency spoke with over 65 people born abroad and issued more than 30 immigration detainers.

The nonprofit One More Child, which partnered with law enforcement, said it assisted 93 people, 18 of whom agreed to receive services. The organization said authorities found 11 people believed to have endured human trafficking. Investigators are also reviewing whether children could have suffered harm related to an arrested youth football coach. The investigation is ongoing.