Hundreds arrested after undercover "Fool Around and Find Out" operation
Share and Follow

Among those arrested during the operation was former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Adarius Taylor.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested more than 200 people, including a former Bucs player, during a nine-day-long undercover investigation focused on human trafficking, child predators and illegal immigration.

That investigation, dubbed “Fool Around and Find Out,” saw 244 suspects arrested on prostitution-related charges and an additional 11 charged with human trafficking and attempting to batter children sexually, the sheriff’s office said in two separate news releases.

Two-hundred and fifty-five people were arrested in total, and four possible human trafficking victims were identified, according to the agency.

In a release, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated, “This is the highest number of suspects we’ve ever arrested during a single undercover operation.”

During a press conference on Friday, Judd added that 36 of the suspects were in the U.S. illegally, coming from Venezuela, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala and Brazil.

The youngest suspect arrested during the operation was 17, with the oldest being 70. One of the people arrested was Adarius Taylor, a former NFL linebacker who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“The dude made a lot of mistakes,” Judd said Friday. “He not only brought his six-year-old child to the operation, but he left his six-year-old child in the car when he went to do the operation.”

The sheriff added that DCF took possession of the child immediately before notifying the mother. According to jail records, Taylor has been charged with negligent child abuse and soliciting another for prostitution, lewdness or assignation.


At the end of the conference, Judd thanked the numerous agencies that helped the sheriff’s office with their investigation, including the Department of Homeland Security, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, and multiple police departments in Polk County.

“A word to the wise, there’ll be another one,” Judd said. “Fool around and find out.”

The full press conference can be viewed below:

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
911 dispatcher shortage 'a dangerous situation,' incentives offered

Critical 911 Dispatcher Shortage Sparks Safety Concerns: New Incentives Rolled Out to Combat Crisis

HONOLULU (KHON2) — In an effort to address a pressing staffing shortage,…
Aldi customers fume after budget grocery store removes self checkout

Aldi Shoppers Outraged as Budget Grocery Chain Eliminates Self-Checkout Option, Sparking Backlash

Aldi finds itself at a crossroads, drawing mixed reactions from its customers…
Hilary Duff addresses rumored feud with sister Haylie

Hilary Duff Breaks Silence on Alleged Rift with Sister Haylie

Hilary Duff recently opened up about “family drama,” addressing longstanding fan speculation…
Odds, picks, and best bet for Big Ten clash

Top Betting Tips and Predictions for the Big Ten Showdown

Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission…
Shots fired at Border Patrol agents in Little Village: DHS

Breaking News: Border Patrol Agents Targeted in Little Village Shooting, DHS Reports

Video above: Chicagoland immigration raids result in over 3,000 arrests within two…
UPS crash update: McDonnell Douglas MD-11 grounding announced by UPS and FedEx following deadly Louisville, Kentucky plane crash

UPS and FedEx Ground McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Fleet After Tragic Louisville Crash

In a move driven by heightened safety concerns, UPS and FedEx have…
Miss Universe boss axed from pageant for calling Miss Mexico 'dummy'

Miss Universe Executive Dismissed Following Controversial Remarks About Miss Mexico

A Miss Universe executive faced termination just days before the pageant after…
Melodee Buzzard's mom switched license plates on trip: Officials

Officials Report: Melodee Buzzard’s Mother Allegedly Swaps License Plates During Road Trip

Fresh developments have emerged in the search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who…