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Polk deputies arrest more than 100 in 6-day human-trafficking & prostitution operation

Posted at 7:51 AM, Dec 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-15 17:28:21-05

More than 100 people have been arrested in Polk County following a six-day investigation into prostitution and human trafficking.

A Central Florida school employee, a corrections officer and a 40-year-old man who had a pregnant wife at home and was due that same day, were among the 114 arrests. 

The sheriff's office called the investigation "Operation Not So Silent Night" and it ran from December 8th through December 13th.

Investigators say female undercover detectives posted fictitious ads online, and male undercover detectives responded to other ads posted online.

Among those arrested, detectives think four are victims of human trafficking.

The suspects ranged in age from 17 to 64.

 

Of the 114 suspects arrested:

50 were prostitutes

51 were “johns,” or those who solicited to pay for prostitution

11 others were arrested for related charges

2 were arrested for traveling to meet a minor

28 told detectives they were married

5 told detectives they were on public assistance

8 are Polk County residents

15 were visiting Florida from another state