Florida Sting Snags 281, Including 17 Theme Park Employees: 198 Felonies Charged
Florida sting operation arrested 281 people, including 17 Disney and Universal workers. 198 felonies charged. Investigators probe further victims.
POLICY WIRE — Polk County, Florida — A seven-day undercover investigation resulted in the arrest of 281 individuals, including 17 employees from major Florida theme parks such as Disney and Universal.
The operation, identified as “Polk Around & Find Out II,” was coordinated by officials in Polk County. Law enforcement targeted individuals allegedly traveling to the area for commercial sex acts or unlawful sexual activity involving children.
Prosecutors filed 488 charges against the suspects, which included 198 felony offenses. The arrested individuals had a cumulative record of 798 prior criminal charges.
During the sweep, authorities confirmed that 24 of the suspects were in possession of firearms. Additionally, 32 individuals faced charges related to drug possession.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier addressed the public at a Friday news conference, stating that those who came to Polk County with the intent to abuse a child encountered law enforcement instead.
WWSB reported that the sheriff’s office confirmed 17 of the detainees were employed at local theme parks. Disney officials informed investigators that they had terminated the employees linked to the arrests.
However, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd noted on Friday that he had not yet received an update from Universal regarding the employment status of its arrested staff members.
Forty of the arrested individuals reside within Polk County. The remaining suspects traveled from other parts of Florida, 20 additional U.S. states, and 18 different countries.
Florida law classifies traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity as a second-degree felony, carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.
Among those detained are 32 immigrants in the country without legal authorization, hailing from nations including Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, and Haiti. Sixteen of these individuals have been transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Sheriff Judd indicated that investigators are currently examining whether additional children were victimized in connection with one arrestee who worked as a youth football coach.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
