Polk County Sting Nets 281 Arrests Including 17 Theme‑Park Workers

Overview

• The seven‑day undercover operation, which ended Oct. 30, produced 281 arrests on human‑trafficking and sex‑crime allegations and opened multiple criminal cases.
• Authorities say 239 people face trafficking charges, 31 face child sexual‑predation charges, and 11 face related offenses according to the official breakdown.
• Seventeen arrested workers had roles at major theme parks—13 from Walt Disney World and 4 from Universal—and both companies cooperated and fired the implicated staff.
• Investigators seized firearms and found several suspects on probation while 32 arrestees were undocumented and 16 of them were transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
• Notable arrests include a former Disney performer, a youth football coach, a school‑district police officer and an active U.S. Navy member, and prosecutors say the evidence will drive follow‑up charges and trials.