In a major human trafficking operation that spanned seven days, 219 were arrested in Florida. Among those detained were three Disney employees, a school athletic director, and many more.
The undercover operation, dubbed “Operation Traffic Stop 2,” resulted in 44 felonies and 242 misdemeanor charges against the suspects. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd revealed that 35 suspects are suspected of being in the country illegally.
Notably, 83 suspects faced charges related to soliciting prostitution or engaging in negotiations for sexual activities in exchange for money.
Two individuals, Freddy Escalona and Maria Guzman, faced severe charges related to human trafficking.
Even more shocking were the cases involving parents. One father, Adam Trotter, left his 1-year-old daughter at home alone to engage in sexual activities, claiming that the family dog was watching the child. Another man brought his 15-year-old daughter to the area for her birthday but abandoned her in a motel room to have sex with a prostitute elsewhere.
In one incident, two women brought a 14-month-old child along when they went to engage in sexual acts. While one woman was occupied, the other watched over the child.
Even high-level executives from California-based companies weren’t spared from the operation. One individual complained to sheriff deputies during his arrest, insisting that cheating on one’s spouse isn’t illegal. Sheriff Judd retorted, highlighting that prostitution is illegal.
Amidst these arrests, 21 potential human trafficking victims were identified among the alleged prostitutes taken into custody. Polk County Schools expressed their disappointment over the allegations against Russell Rogers, the athletic director at The Vanguard School and a teacher at Auburndale High School REAL Academy, and announced their intent to terminate his employment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a high standard of conduct in the education system.
