US Busts 157 Human Traffickers in Nationwide Crackdown

157 Human Traffickers Arrested in US Sweep

“The approach of Hurricane Milton caused us to end our investigation earlier than planned, but...”

Florida Sheriff announces 157 arrests in human trafficking operation: undocumented Immigrants, active-duty military, and disney employees among suspects.

Law enforcement agencies in Florida, US, made a significant impact on human trafficking with “Operation Autumn Sweep” on October 17. The operation resulted in the arrest of 157 individuals, announced by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. Joined by representatives from multiple agencies, including Marion, Lake, Auburndale, Clermont, Davenport, Winter Haven, Lakeland, and Tampa, the sting targeted those involved in soliciting prostitution, engaging in prostitution, and aiding prostitutes.

The arrests also included three individuals for attempting to sexually assault children, highlighting the severity of the issue. This operation demonstrates the collaborative efforts of law enforcement to combat human trafficking in Florida. Similar operations, like Hillsborough County's “Operation Summer Shield,” have also shown success, with 148 arrests and the recovery of seven victims.

Highlights of Operation Autumn Sweep:

Arrests: 157 individuals arrested for human trafficking-related offenses

Agencies Involved: Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Polk, Marion, Lake, and Hillsborough counties

Charges: Soliciting prostitution, engaging in prostitution, assisting prostitutes, and attempting to sexually assault children

These operations underscore the commitment of law enforcement to protecting vulnerable populations and holding traffickers accountable.

“Operation Autumn Sweep,” a human trafficking sting, yielded significant results from October 2 to 17. Authorities identified four potential victims among 47 prostitutes who responded to undercover solicitations. These individuals are now receiving support and services.

The operation resulted in the arrest of 96 suspects for soliciting prostitution. Of those apprehended, 35 faced felony charges and 201 faced misdemeanor charges. The arrests demonstrate law enforcement's commitment to combating human trafficking and holding perpetrators accountable.

“The approach of Hurricane Milton caused us to end our investigation earlier than planned, but it's still amazing that in such a short amount of time we were able to put 157 people in jail, and three child predators,” Judd said.

According to the sheriff, 25 of the individuals arrested were found to be undocumented immigrants from various countries, including:

• Cuba
• Colombia
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Venezuela

Adding that, “Sixteen percent of these total arrests were people who should not even have been in this country.”

“But they were here and they were here because we have a federal government that enabled these criminals to come into the country and they treated them very well after the criminals came here illegally.”

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd revealed shocking details about the suspects arrested in “Operation Autumn Sweep.” Among the 157 individuals apprehended, 25 were undocumented immigrants.

Additionally, 26 suspects claimed to be married, while nine admitted to receiving government assistance. Furthermore, 10 suspects arrived at the meeting locations with illegal drugs, including cocaine, molly, and marijuana.

Arrestee Demographics:

Age Range: The oldest suspect was 61 years old, while the youngest was just 15 years old.

Residence: 131 suspects hailed from outside Polk County, Florida, including individuals from nine different states and the United Kingdom (UK).

Occupation: Three suspects were active-duty military personnel or veterans, and three were employed at Disney World.

Previous Offenses: Three suspects had been previously arrested in similar operations by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Notable Details:

• 10 firearms were found at the undercover site.
• Several suspects mentioned leaving their spouse or fiancé at home under false pretenses, such as going to work, running errands, or going to the gym.

These revelations shed light on the scope and complexity of human trafficking operations in the area.