Two undercover stings in Polk County, Florida, resulted in 281 arrests on allegations involving child sexual exploitation, prostitution and human trafficking, Atlanta Fox5 reported Oct. 31, citing authorities. The suspects included a youth sports coach, 17 theme park workers and an Orange County deputy.
The investigations ran simultaneously over seven days. Authorities attributed 32 arrests to efforts targeting adults allegedly traveling for sexual encounters with minors. The trafficking-focused investigation yielded another 249 arrests, including suspects accused of purchasing sex or engaging in prostitution. Together, the cases produced 488 new charges—198 felonies and 290 misdemeanors—the sheriff’s office said.
Officials said the theme park staff worked for Walt Disney World or Universal Studios; seven faced allegations involving children. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd identified the deputy as Eric Raymond, a school resource officer, and alleged that Raymond came to the undercover location to arrange paid sex.
Advocates with One More Child and the Florida Department of Children and Families helped detectives assess 122 people accused of prostitution. That screening identified 11 trafficking victims, whom specialists offered crisis assistance and care, according to the report.
Authorities also reported confiscating 24 firearms and charging 32 suspects with drug possession. Atlanta Fox5 based its account on information from the sheriff’s office and the Department of Children and Families. The criminal allegations are not convictions.