Polk County, Florida – A seven-day undercover operation targeting human trafficking and individuals seeking to meet children for sexual activity produced 281 arrests, authorities announced. Among those taken into custody were 17 employees of major theme parks, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. The joint effort focused on predators who travel to the area with the intent to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with minors. **Scope of the Enforcement Action** The operation ran across Polk County and emphasized catching suspects who arranged meetings with undercover officers posing as children. Thirty-one individuals traveled specifically to the county expecting to have sex with a child, Judd reported. Law enforcement also identified 32 undocumented immigrants among the suspects, with 16 transferred to federal immigration authorities. Twenty-four suspects arrived carrying firearms, and nine were on probation at the time of their arrests. **Theme Park Employees Detained** Thirteen of the arrested individuals worked for Disney World and four for Universal Studios. Judd noted that Disney cooperated fully with investigators and has since terminated the employees involved. One Disney worker was arrested while still in uniform after arranging to meet an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old boy. A former Disney employee, previously a Mickey Mouse character performer, was found with two backpacks containing diapers during his arrest. **Other Notable Cases** Among the broader group of suspects were individuals in positions of trust. One served as head coach of the Davenport Titans youth football team for children ages 11 to 14 and believed he was traveling to meet a 14-year-old girl. Another suspect was on active duty with the Navy. These cases illustrate the range of backgrounds represented in the arrests. **Sheriff’s Assessment** Judd described the results as deeply troubling. “It is extremely disturbing when we encounter nasty child predators like these who are very eager to have sex with children,” he said. “This is why we conduct these types of undercover operations.” The sheriff’s office has conducted similar stings in the past, and officials indicated the latest effort reflects an ongoing commitment to disrupting such activity. The arrests highlight how online arrangements can quickly lead to real-world enforcement actions when predators attempt to travel for illicit meetings. Local agencies continue to review the cases as they move through the court system. ([1])
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