Undercover sex sting nets hundreds of arrests in Florida
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announces arrests of 277 people in undercover human trafficking, online prostitution sting dubbed 'Operation No Tricks, No Treats.'
Florida police arrested 277 people -- including doctors, cops and pharmacists -- during a weeklong undercover sex sting operation.
“Operation No Tricks, No Treats” began Oct. 10 and ran until Oct. 15, according to a press release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
During the operation, undercover detectives and investigators from several law enforcement agencies posted false advertisements on websites, social media sites and phone apps posing as “prostitutes or to solicit sex workers."
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Investigators reported 209 of those arrested were accused of “soliciting undercover detectives.” The Orlando Sentinel reported 51 others had displayed themselves as prostitutes on the internet. The office stated 17 others were arrested for other offenses.
“That’s the most we have ever arrested in the history of the sheriff’s office,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
One of the men arrested, Judd said, was a sergeant at his office. Sgt. Luis Diaz, who had been on the force for 17 years, resigned after the sting, FOX13 reported.
“We are absolutely embarrassed,” Judd said. “We hold our own accountable. He messed up and no longer works for the Sherriff’s Office.”
Judd identified some of the other suspects arrested as a cancer surgeon, teacher, pediatrician, Air Force veteran, retired deputy sheriff, retired police officer, active colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps and several pharmacists. They range in age from 16 to 74 years old.
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The suspects face 334 charges, including human-trafficking and soliciting another for prostitution.
The office stated 215 people traveled to Polk County from other areas in Florida or were visiting the state from Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
"We are committed to fighting human trafficking, by arresting those who engage in prostitution and trying to identify human trafficking victims," Judd said. "It's no secret. You need to stay out of Polk County if you're going to commit crime."
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