Florida Sheriff Announces 26 Undocumented Migrants Undetected by Federal Authorities in 255-Person Sex-Trafficking Operation
Polk County's ICE-led sting nets 255 arrests, including migrants and prominent figures, in a major Florida crackdown.
A sweeping nine-day law enforcement operation in Central Florida has resulted in the arrest of 255 suspects tied to human trafficking, child sex crimes, and illegal immigration. Dubbed "Fool Around and Find Out," the sting marks the most significant single bust in Polk County Sheriff's Office history.
Sheriff Grady Judd described the multi-agency effort as highly coordinated, with officers targeting online platforms frequently used by traffickers and predators. Notably, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was embedded with the operation for the first time, facilitating tighter cooperation between local and federal authorities.
Among those taken into custody were 36 migrants living in the U.S. illegally—26 of whom had not checked in with federal agencies and were considered untraceable prior to their arrest. Sheriff Judd highlighted the risks posed by such individuals remaining under the radar, stating, "If those illegal immigrants weren't here in this country, then there would have been 15% less crime committed."
The profiles of the accused span a wide range of backgrounds, underscoring the pervasive nature of such offenses. Suspects include a licensed medical doctor, an executive affiliated with the American Red Cross, both active and retired military service members, and former NFL player Adarius Taylor. According to investigators, Taylor left his medically vulnerable child alone in a vehicle while attempting to buy sex from an undercover officer. Another man was allegedly arrested while his wife was undergoing cancer treatment at home.
Detectives filed a total of 102 felony and 284 misdemeanor charges as part of the operation. Cumulatively, the suspects already had criminal records totaling more than 400 felonies and 519 misdemeanors, including crimes such as premeditated murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery, and sexual assault.
Sheriff Judd emphasized the damaging ripple effects of prostitution and trafficking, stating, "The online prostitution industry enables traffickers and allows for the continued victimization of those who are being trafficked. Our goal is to identify victims, offer them help, and arrest those who are fueling the exploitation of human beings." He added, "Prostitution is not a victimless crime—it results in exploitation, disease, drug and alcohol addiction, violence, and broken families."
Polk County's law enforcement leadership reiterated a commitment to zero tolerance against criminal activities. Sheriff Judd warned that similar operations will continue: "This is not the last one. This is just the last one. There's going to be another one, and another one and another one."
He also issued a stern message to would-be offenders considering travel to Florida: "Florida is the vacation state. People come from all around the world with their children. We want to make sure that it’s a safe environment, and it is." Judd concluded, "If you think you're gonna sneak here and, ‘Hey, what goes on in Florida stays in Florida’, that's wrong. I'll put you on blast all across the nation, and that's a guarantee."
