“Human trafficking enforcement operation” in Polk County, Florida, led to 244 arrests—albeit none for human trafficking.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because Polk County is far from alone in rounding up sex workers and their customers under the auspices of stopping human trafficking. And as is so frequently the case, the federal government had a hand in this operation, which authorities dubbed Fool Around and Find Out.
In addition to targeting adults for trying to consensually engage other adults in private sexual activity, immigration enforcement seems to have been a goal. A press release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) notes that 36 of those arrested “are here illegally.”
The sheriff’s office also released photos of all of those arrested, with color-coded boxes around some arrestees to denote that they’re undocumented immigrants or receiving welfare benefits.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has been pulling this trick year after year—arresting a bunch of sex workers and people looking to pay sex workers and then patting his team on the back for all of the “human trafficking” they allegedly stopped. A press release about Operation Fool Around and Find Out touts the arrest of “244 suspects during [a] nine-day human trafficking enforcement operation.”
In headlines—and, let’s be honest, that’s all many people will see—it sure sounds like the PCSO did some heroic work. But read beyond the headlines, and you’ll note that no one was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking. Nor was anyone arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse of a minor, sexual assault, kidnapping, or any other charge that might indicate something other than consensual adult activity going on.
[FAC NOTE: We DID NOT write the above. People are on to “Shady Grady’s”… well shady tactics!]
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I think my problem with the stings lies more in how LE goes to legitimate dating sites that are 18+ and CREATE a criminal from someone who was not looking to commit a crime.
Also, if you talk about maybe robbing a bank… no crime. If you did to the bank and sit outside… no crime. If you write the note… no crime. If you enter the bank with the note in your pocket… no crime. At each of these points, you could decide your intentions are wrong and NOT rob the bank.
I believe it’s basically the same with this ‘traveling to meet’ crap. A person could travel all the way to polk county, see the child, and think ‘no, this is wrong’ and leave. By criminalizing the trip, you are taking away a person decision to do the right thing.
Again, these people didn’t set out to commit a crime, they simply joined a legitimate dating site. Why aren’t LE going to places online where deviants are actually looking to solicit a minor? I don’t know where that would be, but I would think that it’s NOT a legitimate 18+ dating site.
In my opinion bank robbery should be punished, it’s a crime of intelligence.
oh yes I agree with this, Marlon! steal from the rich and give to the poor, it’s okay in my book. but bad sex offenders, straight back to the slammer FOR LIFE.
Once again Grady puts zero effort into stopping actual crime.
I think he’s pretty good. Why you don’t like?
These trafficking stings never actually net any human traffickers, and his conviction rate is horrible. Meanwhile fentanyl, domestic abuse, meth manufacturing, and home invasions run rampant in polk county. But the real danger in Polk County is getting between Judd and a press camera.
God bless best Sheriff 👌
Annoying
Sheriff Grady is what we need in Florida
Well why do think Elmer Fudd wears a bullet proof to Church on Sundays?
I never condone violence…never…they also built a mini tunnel underneath his office
these are facts of peoples tax dollars
He also buys surplus food that is expired to feed Frostproof
Bon Appetite!