Disney and Universal Staff Among 281 Arrests in Record Florida Trafficking Sting
Polk County sheriff reveals 281 arrests in massive Florida sting. Seventeen theme park employees, a Navy veteran, and other officials face trafficking charges.
POLICY WIRE — Polk County, Florida — Authorities have announced the conclusion of a massive seven-day undercover operation targeting human trafficking and child exploitation. The sting resulted in the arrest of 281 individuals and the filing of 488 criminal charges.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd confirmed that the sweep included not only suspected predators but also figures from local public life. Among those taken into custody was a youth football coach, a deputy from Orange County, and an active-duty member of the U.S. Navy.
The operation also led to the detention of seventeen employees with ties to major Orlando theme parks. Sheriff Judd specified that thirteen of the arrestees worked for Walt Disney World, while four were employed by Universal Studios. One of the arrested individuals had previously performed as a Mickey Mouse character.
Investigators also seized twenty-four firearms and uncovered illicit drugs during the execution of the warrants. Additionally, law enforcement identified eleven victims of human trafficking who were subsequently offered community services.
Officials described the crackdown as the largest undercover investigation in the history of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The announcement of these findings was made publicly on Friday.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
