Share and Follow
In a significant law enforcement effort, Polk County, Florida, Sheriff Grady Judd has highlighted the arrest of an illegal immigrant, a participant in the January 6th Capitol breach, and a social media influencer. This comes after an extensive undercover operation that led to 266 arrests related to prostitution, human trafficking, and targeting child predators.
During a press conference on Friday, Sheriff Judd offered a candid account of what he described as some of the “more outrageous events” uncovered during the collaborative operation dubbed “Polk Around and Find Out.” The operation involved multiple agencies working together to tackle these serious crimes.
“In total, we made 266 arrests,” Sheriff Judd reported, noting that “about 247 of them were part of the human trafficking operation.” He further explained that the suspects collectively had “1,028 previous charges,” to which deputies have now added “439 more charges.”
This multi-day sting in central Florida aimed at human trafficking, prostitution, and child exploitation suspects, resulted in apprehensions spanning across 11 states and 18 different countries.
Deputies arrested people from 11 states and 18 different countries.
“People that think, ‘Oh, this is low-level and not violent’ — yeah, that’s wrong. It is violent, and it’s dangerous,” Judd said.
Among those highlighted was Ryan Yates, of Odessa, Florida, who had previously been convicted in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and later pardoned, Judd said.
“He got away with it with a federal system. But not here,” Judd said. “He came here to violate the law. We arrested him.”
At a news conference Friday, Sheriff Grady Judd highlighted several suspects, including Craig Long II, 41. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Judd also singled out Craig Long II, 41, a Tampa-area fitness business owner and a self-proclaimed “MAGA influencer.”Â
On X, Long describes himself as “MAGA to the core.”
“Well, I’m going to give him some content for his social media today. He was a previous felon who straightened up, really, what we want to see in life. Now he’s an influencer,” Judd said.
Another case involved Uno Garcia, an illegal immigrant from Cuba. Judd said Garcia brought his wife to engage in prostitution.
“So, it’s kind of a family affair,” Judd said.
Shannon Brooks of Haines City, Florida, allegedly brought a 7-year-old into a room during a sexual encounter and left the child in a bathroom.
Judd said Brooks told the child, “Don’t answer the mf-ing phone. This is the kind of parenting that we want? Come on, man. What are you doing?”
In another case, Derek Partita, 37, left a 10-year-old child in a car while attempting to meet a prostitute.
“This is a very sad situation,” Judd said.
Judd also pointed to J.R. Jackman, 27, who he said had a high-level military security clearance.
“Don’t you feel comfortable knowing a guy with top security clearance is coming to meet a prostitute?” Judd said.
Another suspect, Salvador Villarel, a county utilities employee, allegedly arrived in a government vehicle.
“He doesn’t have the county truck. He doesn’t have the county job. But he does have the county jail,” Judd said.
Of the total arrests, 247 were related to prostitution and human trafficking investigations, including suspects accused of soliciting sex, offering to commit prostitution or aiding and transporting sex workers. Another 19 suspects were arrested on charges related to child exploitation, including traveling to meet minors for sex. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities said 247 of the arrests were for prostitution-related offenses, while 19 involved suspects accused of attempting to meet minors for sex. They added that 34 of those arrested were in the U.S. illegally.
The operation involved federal, state and local agencies and is part of ongoing efforts to target both buyers and facilitators in prostitution networks, officials said. Cases remain pending.
<!–>
–>