Overview
- Polk County led a seven‑day undercover operation called “Polk Around & Find Out II” that used online decoys to target adults who allegedly traveled to meet minors and to disrupt commercial sex activity.
- Authorities announced 281 arrests and 488 new charges reported after the operation, including 198 felony counts that prosecutors are now examining.
- Seventeen people who worked at Florida theme parks were among those arrested and employers reported terminating the implicated staff after investigators identified communications and, in some cases, work items tied to suspects.
- Law enforcement said 32 of those arrested were in the United States without authorization and 16 people were transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for immigration review.
- Investigators identified possible human‑trafficking victims, engaged service groups to offer help, and continue to compile evidence and records for formal charging and court processing.