281 arrested in Florida child sexual abuse and trafficking sting

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 20:56 · Archive

A seven-day undercover operation in Florida resulted in 281 arrests targeting people accused of travelling to meet children for sex.

A seven-day undercover operation in Polk County, Florida, called 'Polk Around & Find Out II', resulted in 281 arrests targeting people accused of travelling to meet children for unlawful sexual activity and human trafficking. The suspects faced 488 charges, including 198 felonies, and had a combined 798 prior criminal charges.

Among those arrested were 17 theme park employees: 13 from Disney and 4 from Universal. Disney told investigators it had fired employees connected to the arrests. The sheriff said he had not yet received an update from Universal about the employment status of its arrested workers. The operation also resulted in the arrest of 32 undocumented immigrants from countries including Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico and Haiti, with 16 transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Thirty-one suspects had travelled to the county specifically to attempt to meet a child for sex, 24 suspects brought firearms to meetings, and 32 were charged with drug possession.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the operation targeted 'predators who prey upon and travel to meet children for unlawful sexual activity'. Among specific cases highlighted, one suspect was the head coach of the Florida team, Davenport Titans, coaching children aged 11 to 14. Another was on active Navy duty. A third, a former Disney employee who worked as a Mickey Mouse character, was caught with two backpacks full of diapers.

How it is being reported

• Florida child sex sting operation ensnares 17 theme park workers, including Disney and UniversalDisney told investigators it had fired employees connected to the arrests, according to a report.Independent World · 1 Nov, 20:40
• 17 theme park employees among 281 arrested in Florida sting, sheriff saysPolk County Sheriff Grady Judd said 13 were Disney employees and four were Universal employees among those arrested during a law enforcement sting.CBS News · 31 Oct, 15:45

In this story: Polk County · Florida · Disney · Universal · Grady Judd · James Uthmeier · Davenport Titans

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log