The seven-day operation targeted alleged child predators, prostitution-related offenses and human trafficking while identifying 11 suspected trafficking victims.
WINTER HAVEN, FL — A seven-day undercover operation led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office resulted in 281 arrests, including theme park employees, a sheriff’s deputy and a youth sports coach, as investigators targeted alleged child sexual predators and crimes tied to prostitution and human trafficking.
The operation, called “Polk Around and Find Out II,” involved local, state and federal agencies working on two investigations at the same time. The Sheriff’s Office said 239 arrests were connected to soliciting prostitution, offering to commit prostitution, or aiding, abetting or transporting people involved in prostitution. Another 31 arrests involved suspected child sexual predators, while 11 other arrests were made. Those arrested face a combined 488 new charges, including 198 felonies and 290 misdemeanors.
Seventeen people arrested told detectives they worked at local theme parks or resorts, according to the Sheriff’s Office. FOX 13 reported that 13 were associated with Disney and four with Universal Studios. Authorities said seven of the theme park or resort workers were among the suspects arrested in the child-predator portion of the investigation. The arrests themselves are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.
The Sheriff’s Office said several suspects who identified themselves as Disney workers were accused of communicating online with undercover detectives posing as children or guardians of children. Authorities alleged the suspects discussed unlawful sexual activity and, in several cases, traveled to an undercover location expecting to meet a minor. The Sheriff’s Office said current Disney employees connected to the child-predator investigation were fired, while at least one suspect described himself as a former Disney character performer.
Investigators also arrested Eric Raymond, 40, an Orange County sheriff’s deputy. Polk County authorities alleged Raymond answered an online advertisement placed by an undercover detective and agreed to pay for sex. He was charged with solicitation of prostitution. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office had identified Raymond as a deputy who had been assigned as a school resource officer before his arrest.
Another portion of the investigation focused on people suspected of trying to arrange sexual encounters with minors. Authorities said 31 suspects communicated with people they believed were children or guardians and discussed unlawful sexual activity. Among those arrested were a youth football and cheerleading coach and an active-duty Navy service member. The allegations remain subject to prosecution in court, and authorities have not announced convictions arising from the operation.
The human trafficking investigation also included 117 people accused of traveling to the undercover location to negotiate sex for money. Another 122 people who traveled to engage in prostitution were screened by detectives, the Florida Department of Children and Families and the nonprofit One More Child for signs that they were being trafficked or exploited. The Sheriff’s Office said 11 suspected human trafficking victims were identified and offered assistance.
Sheriff Grady Judd said the operation was intended both to arrest people accused of seeking unlawful sexual contact with children and to identify people being exploited through trafficking. Investigators were joined by agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Florida Department of Financial Services, the 10th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office and several local law enforcement departments.
Authorities said only 40 of the 281 people arrested lived in Polk County, with others coming from elsewhere in Florida, other states and foreign countries. The Sheriff’s Office also said the suspects collectively had hundreds of previous criminal charges. Those prior records do not establish guilt on any of the new allegations announced in the operation.
The arrests are now moving through the criminal justice system, and individual cases may involve different charges, evidence and court schedules. Authorities said the broader investigation remains active as detectives review information gathered during the operation and pursue any additional leads connected to suspected exploitation or offenses involving children.
Author note: Last updated October 31, 2026.