281 arrested in Florida sting, including 17 theme park staff

Florida law enforcement officers made 281 arrests during a seven-day undercover operation in Polk County. The sting, named “Polk Around & Find Out II,” resulted in 488 new charges, including 198 felonies. Authorities conducted simultaneous investigations into individuals accused of traveling to meet children for unlawful sexual activity and commercial sex activity.

The arrested individuals had a combined 798 prior criminal charges. Officials reported that 24 suspects possessed firearms and 32 were charged with drug possession. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier addressed reporters on Friday, stating that those who came to Polk County expecting to sexually abuse a child found cuffs instead.

Seventeen of those arrested worked at theme parks. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Disney informed investigators that it had fired employees connected to the arrests. Judd noted that he had not received an update from Universal regarding the employment status of its arrested workers.

Forty of the arrested individuals lived in Polk County. The others traveled from other parts of Florida, 20 other states, and 18 countries. The sheriff’s office identified 32 people who were in the country unlawfully. Sixteen of those individuals were transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

An ICE official stated that the agency interviewed more than 65 foreign-born people during the operation. More than 30 detainers were placed on individuals identified as removable under immigration law. One More Child, a nonprofit partner, said it engaged with 93 people, and 18 agreed to receive services. The organization identified 11 people believed to be victims of human trafficking. Sine Dressler, the nonprofit’s senior director of anti-trafficking operations, said accepting help requires trust.

Investigators are reviewing whether additional children were victimized in connection with a youth football coach among those arrested. The investigation remains ongoing.