Hundreds arrested in major Florida undercover operation

Seventeen employees associated with Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando were among 281 people arrested during a seven-day undercover operation in Florida targeting suspected child sexual predators, prostitution-related offences and human trafficking.

The investigation, led by the Polk County Sheriff's Office, resulted in 488 criminal charges, including 198 felonies and 290 misdemeanours.

Sheriff Grady Judd announced the results on Friday, 30 October 2026, following an operation involving several law enforcement agencies and specialist organisations.

Among those arrested were 13 Walt Disney World employees and four Universal Orlando employees.

Authorities also identified 11 people believed to be victims of human trafficking.

The operation, named Polk Around and Find Out II, involved undercover detectives investigating suspected offences committed through online communications and arrangements for sexual services.

The arrests covered several different categories of alleged criminal activity. Not all suspects were accused of human trafficking or offences involving children.

Undercover detectives target suspected offenders

The operation involved two investigations conducted simultaneously over seven days.

One focused on individuals suspected of using online platforms to arrange unlawful sexual contact with children. The other concentrated on prostitution-related activity and the identification of potential trafficking victims.

Detectives used undercover profiles and online advertisements to identify suspects allegedly seeking sexual services or attempting to arrange meetings with minors.

According to the sheriff's office, 239 arrests involved allegations connected to soliciting prostitution, offering prostitution or related offences.

A further 31 arrests were associated with suspected child sexual exploitation, while 11 individuals were arrested in connection with other alleged offences.

The sheriff's office said suspects travelled from different parts of Florida and beyond to locations arranged by investigators.

Only 40 of those arrested were residents of Polk County.

Disney World and Universal employees among those detained

Authorities identified 13 Walt Disney World employees and four Universal Orlando employees among those arrested.

The individuals faced different allegations arising from the operation.

Seven suspects accused of offences involving children were reported to have worked at local theme parks.

Sheriff Judd said Disney had dismissed employees implicated in the investigation. Universal also confirmed that employees arrested during the operation had been dismissed.

There is no established evidence that the alleged offences occurred inside the theme parks or that either company was involved in criminal activity.

The investigation was conducted by law enforcement agencies in Polk County and concerned the alleged conduct of individuals.

Eleven potential trafficking victims identified

Alongside the arrests, investigators identified 11 individuals believed to have been subjected to human trafficking.

Specialist organisations worked with detectives to assess people encountered during the prostitution-related investigation.

The sheriff's office said 122 individuals suspected of offering prostitution services were screened for possible exploitation.

The assessments were conducted with assistance from One More Child and the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Authorities said those identified as potential trafficking victims were offered assistance and access to support services.

Their identities and personal circumstances have not been publicly disclosed.

Nearly 500 criminal charges announced

The Polk County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the 281 suspects collectively faced 488 new criminal charges.

Of those, 198 were classified as felonies and 290 as misdemeanours under Florida law.

Investigators also examined the previous criminal histories of those arrested.

The sheriff's office reported that the group had a combined history of 798 earlier criminal charges, including 358 felony charges.

Those figures relate to previous charges and should not be interpreted as previous convictions.

Authorities also reported recovering 24 firearms during the operation.

Thirty-two suspects faced drug possession allegations involving substances including cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Criminal proceedings expected to follow

The arrests mark the beginning of criminal proceedings rather than the conclusion of the investigation.

Prosecutors will be required to establish the allegations against each defendant.

Some suspects face accusations involving online communications with undercover detectives posing as minors.

Others face prostitution-related allegations, while additional charges concern drugs, weapons or other alleged offences uncovered during the operation.

The sheriff's office has not announced a single collective court date covering all 281 suspects.

Individual cases are expected to progress separately through the Florida justice system.

Davidson Press monitoring court developments

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has confirmed the arrest of 281 individuals following the undercover operation, with hundreds of charges now subject to the criminal justice process.

Further developments may include formal charging decisions, first court appearances, changes to individual allegations and additional information released by prosecutors.

Davidson Press will continue monitoring official statements and court developments relating to Operation Polk Around and Find Out II.

All defendants remain presumed innocent unless and until their guilt is established in court.