POLK COUNTY, Florida, October 31, 2026 — A major undercover law enforcement operation in Central Florida has resulted in 281 arrests, including 13 people who reportedly worked for Walt Disney World, in an investigation targeting human trafficking, prostitution and suspected child sexual predators.
The seven-day operation, called “Polk Around and Find Out II,” was led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with state and federal agencies. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the results on Friday, October 30.
Authorities reported 488 new criminal charges, including 198 felonies.
13 Disney Employees Among Those Arrested
One of the most widely reported aspects of the investigation is the involvement of employees from major Central Florida theme parks.
According to Sheriff Grady Judd, 17 people arrested during the operation reported working at local theme parks or resorts. Thirteen were associated with Walt Disney World, while four reportedly worked for Universal Studios.
Judd said Disney informed investigators that it had terminated the employment of the Disney workers involved.
However, authorities have not established that every theme park employee was arrested on the same type of charge. The operation involved separate undercover investigations, and individual allegations must be considered separately.
Two Undercover Investigations
The operation included two separate investigations.
The first focused on adults who allegedly traveled to meet children for unlawful sexual activity. Authorities reported 32 arrests connected to this investigation.
The second focused on human trafficking and prostitution-related offenses. It resulted in 249 arrests, including 117 people accused of attempting to purchase sex and 122 people arrested on prostitution-related allegations.
Authorities said two individuals in the child-predator investigation also faced human trafficking charges.
The sheriff’s office described the operation as the largest undercover investigation of its kind conducted by the agency.
11 Possible Human Trafficking Victims Identified
Beyond the arrests, authorities said the operation also identified people who may have been victims of human trafficking.
Investigators and social service organizations screened individuals encountered during the operation. Eleven possible victims were identified and offered assistance.
One More Child, an organization involved in anti-trafficking support, participated in outreach efforts and offered services to people who needed help.
The identification of possible victims is an important part of the investigation because authorities say people involved in prostitution may also be experiencing exploitation, coercion or trafficking.
A Major Multi-Agency Operation
The investigation involved the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Attorney General’s Office, other law enforcement agencies and federal authorities, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Officials also reported that some suspects had previous criminal records, while others faced additional allegations involving weapons or drugs.
The investigation has drawn attention because of the number of arrests and the reported involvement of people working in public-facing professions, including theme park employees, a law enforcement officer and a youth football coach.
What Happens Next?
The arrests mark the beginning of the criminal justice process, not the conclusion of the cases.
Prosecutors will review the evidence and determine how individual cases proceed through the courts. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The investigation also highlights the importance of identifying and supporting people who may be victims of trafficking, while holding those responsible for exploitation and abuse accountable.
For families and visitors, the case is a reminder that child protection and human trafficking prevention require cooperation between law enforcement, communities and support organizations.
Sources:
- Polk County Sheriff’s Office — Operation Polk Around and Find Out II
- FOX 13 Tampa Bay — Disney workers among 281 arrested in Polk County sting
- NBC 6 South Florida — 281 arrested in Florida undercover operation
- CBS Austin — 281 arrested, including theme park employees
World Media Feed distinguishes between arrests, allegations and proven criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in court.
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