102 Suspects Arrested In Polk Human Trafficking Operation

Lakeland FL

28 October, 2021

10:49 AM

Description

POLK COUNTY, FL — One hundred and two suspects were arrested in a six-day human trafficking operation in Polk County, Sheriff Grady Judd said. Those arrested in "Operation No Tricks, No Treats 2021" included 38 people accused of offering to commit prostitution, and two of those arrested are possibly adult victims of human trafficking, according to the sheriff's office. Sixty-two people are accused of soliciting prostitution, the office said, and a 17-year-old girl was rescued in the operation. "The primary purpose for these operations is to identify victims of human trafficking and those who prey on the victims, as well as the deviant child predators who stalk children online," Judd said. "We work hand-in-hand with organizations to get help for the victims of human trafficking. We identified three possible victims during this investigation." Each person who was arrested for prostitution was given access to members of anti-trafficking organizations and offered victim assistance, investigators said. Two men are accused of soliciting people they thought were children online. One of those suspects traveled to the location to meet the child, which was an undercover detective, and the other suspect was arrested in Orange County where he works, on a Polk County warrant, authorities said. Details about the operation, provided by the sheriff's office: Eleven of those arrested told detectives they are married.Detectives charged those arrested with a total of 29 felonies and 143 misdemeanors.Criminal histories of everyone arrested included 275 previous felonies and 429 previous misdemeanors.Some of the prior histories include charges of kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery and sex offenses.Four of the arrested were from other states — Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.Fifty-five are Polk County residents.Fourteen told detectives they receive government assistance.Detectives seized cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana.The oldest person arrested is 78 years old, the youngest is 19. A full list of suspects and more details are available at the Polk County Sheriff's Office.