Full Breakdown
Polk County’s “Polk Around and Find Out” Sting Yields 266 Arrests in Human-Trafficking and Prostitution Sweep
5/2/2026, 7:33:59 AM
Operation Overview
From April 20 to May 2026, Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) ran the “Polk Around and Find Out” operation. Officers posed as sex workers or a “human trafficker” offering a teenage daughter, targeting ads that solicited minors and adults. Sting ended with 266 arrests in Polk County.
Arrested Figures and Charges
Sheriff Grady Judd highlighted arrestees. Craig Long, a 41-year-old Tampa “MAGA” influencer, offered $100 for “something quick” to an undercover detective and was charged with soliciting a prostitute. Thomas Hicks, a 68-year-old pastor who portrayed “Santa Claus” at events, agreed to pay $200 for a 13-year-old decoy and was arrested for human trafficking. Ryan Yates, a rioter pardoned by President Trump, was detained. Veterans and married men faced charges for traveling to meet minors.
Data and Statistics
PCSO filed 439 charges—298 felonies—against the 266 arrestees. Nineteen faced child-sex offenses, including traveling to meet a minor, using a computer to seduce a child, or possessing child pornography. Seven potential trafficking victims were identified. Suspects came from 18 foreign countries and 11 U.S. states; 167 lived outside Polk County. Officers seized four firearms and 21 narcotics items.
Official Statements & Responses
Sheriff Judd said the operation targeted “people who make mistakes in life” and underscored the duty to protect children, adding that “he got away with it in the federal system, but not here” regarding Yates. Tri-County Human Services announced Hicks’ termination, noting he “did not have access to client records” and that the agency “took immediate and appropriate action to terminate this individual’s employment.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “We like the fact that he likes the cops.” — Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
- “Heck, he likes them so much that he got caught up in a sting and got to be real close with the cops.” — Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
- “Well, we’re not giving him a blanket pardon,” — Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
- “Tri-County took immediate and appropriate action to terminate this individual’s employment to ensure the continued safety and well-being of our staff and the individuals we serve each day.” — Donn VanStee, Tri-County Human Services
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
An early PCSO press release described the operation as resulting in “200 arrests in a prostitution sting.” Subsequent statements and the arrest report clarified that the total number of arrests was 266, encompassing both prostitution-related and child-exploitation cases. The initial figure has not been reconciled in official communications.
Why It Matters
The operation shows law-enforcement’s ability to infiltrate online networks that enable child exploitation and prostitution, aiming to deter trafficking and protect vulnerable populations.
What’s Next
Prosecutions will address 439 charges, and groups such as One More Child and Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking will assist victims. PCSO said may target ads tied to sting.
