A covert operation to dismantle a human trafficking network in Polk County, central Florida, led to record arrest of 219 suspects the last week.
The Polk County Sheriff, Grady Judd, reported in Press conference that during the seven-day operation, which began on September 19, the Police Vice Unit and associated law enforcement forces arrested, among others, “suspects who were soliciting prostitutes, people who offered to engage in prostitution, and others.” "that they benefited from or helped and incited prostitution."
During the investigation, they identified 21 possible victims of trafficking among the 119 prostitutes. Was 83 suspects arrested for soliciting a prostitute and traveling to the undercover location to negotiate having sex in exchange for money; Of 17 other suspects detained, five obtained profits from the prostitution or were accomplices of prostitutes and eight took the prostitutes to the undercover location.
The Operation Traffic Stop 2 also allowed the arrest of 35 people who are illegally in the country, three of whom were identified as victims of human trafficking. The undocumented come from Cuba, Chile, Venezuela, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and Bahamas.
“It is alarming to see more undocumented immigrants in each operation. “It should be a big warning to America,” Judd said.
Until now, two suspects charged with human trafficking, a serious crime for life: Freddy Escalona, 30 years old, and Maria Guzman, 36.
Escalona, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged with human trafficking and obtaining income from prostitution. The defendant forced a victim to become a prostitute so that she would return the money he lent her to fix her car. It took up to 70% of his profits.
According to what he told detectives, he had “several women he worked with” who paid him to transport them and “keep them safe.” The investigation is ongoing, and other charges are pending.
Guzmán, of Orlando, was also charged with human trafficking and profiteering. The woman trafficked two victims from a hotel in that city; she organized their “dates” and benefited from the money they earned.
Detectives charged a total of 44 felonies and 242 misdemeanors during the investigation.
Of the people arrested during the operation, 42 were in possession of illegal drugs; Detectives seized fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana. Likewise, two were carrying firearms.
In addition to the suspects who reside in Florida, 18 from the states of Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin were arrested.
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