Overview
- Sheriff Grady Judd said Friday a multi-day undercover sweep targeting prostitution, human trafficking and child predators led to 266 arrests, with about 247 tied to the trafficking operation and 19 involving alleged child predators.
- Craig Long, 41, a self-described MAGA influencer from Tampa, was charged with soliciting a prostitute after deputies say he answered an online escort ad, offered $100 for "something quick," and was arrested at an undercover site in Bartow.
- Long pleaded not guilty, and Judd publicly displayed a photo of him with President Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr. while mocking his pro-police persona during the press conference.
- Also arrested was Ryan Yates of Florida, previously sentenced for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and reported to have received a presidential pardon, with Judd saying state prosecutors will pursue the new case.
- Deputies said they screened 127 people who traveled to buy sex and identified seven possible human trafficking victims, a step that can connect victims with services as the state's attorney reviews charges and the investigations continue.