December 8, 2018

USA: Polk Sheriff’s Office In Florida Arrested 103 Suspects In Undercover Human Trafficking Sting Dubbed ‘Operation Naughty — Not Nice II’.


The Ledger
written by Eric Pera
Monday December 3, 2018

​Polk Sheriff Grady ​Judd’s undercover sting, dubbed “Operation Naughty — Not Nice II,” began Nov. 27 and ended Sunday. The investigation focused on prostitutes posting online advertisements and the “johns” seeking their services.​

WINTER HAVEN — An undercover prostitution sting conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in 103 arrests on a variety of charges.

Those charges include soliciting prostitution, offering to commit prostitution, using a communication device to commit a felony and various drug charges.

At least one arrest included a charge of human trafficking. Eight of the suspects are Polk residents.

Anthony Camacho, 23, of Orlando, is charged with driving a 17-year-old girl to a Polk location for sex, according to the PCSO. In addition to trafficking he was charged with possession of cannabis.

The girl, a runaway from Virginia, also faces drug charges. She and two other potential victims of sex trafficking were referred to One More Child, a Lakeland-based nonprofit agency that helps and shelters women caught up in the sex trade, often through coercion.

“This is a bad man,” Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said of Camacho during a Monday afternoon news conference at his Winter Haven headquarters. “We’re going to do our very best for him to go to prison.”

Camacho’s criminal history includes attempted murder and kidnapping, sheriff’s officials said.

Judd’s undercover sting, dubbed “Operation Naughty — Not Nice II,” began Nov. 27 and ended Sunday. The investigation focused on prostitutes posting online advertisements and the “johns” seeking their services.

Of those arrested, 54 advertised as prostitutes while 29 solicited undercover detectives posing as prostitutes.

Judd singled out several other men accused of attempting to have sex with underage girls, including Edwin Lopez, 26, of Kissimmee, who is charged with using a two-way communication device to commit a felony, traveling to meet a minor after using a computer to lure a child, and lewd battery.

“He wanted to teach this child how to have sex,” Judd said.

William Welch, 49, managed to evade arrest after approaching a decoy location to have sex with a detective posing as a 14-year-old girl, according to the PCSO. A no-bond warrant has been issued for his arrest, Judd said.

“He’s known as a groomer,” he said.

Anyone with information about Welch is urged to call the PCSO, 863-577-1600. To remain anonymous, call Heartland Crime Stoppers, 800-8477 (TIPS).
WFTV9 ABC Local News
Operation 'Naughty Not Nice' nabs 103 people in human trafficking investigation
written by Kelly Healey
Monday December 3, 2018

POLK COUNTY, Floria - Detectives arrested 103 people during an undercover investigation focusing on human trafficking, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

Polk County Sheriff's Office undercover detectives conducted a six-day human trafficking operation that began on Nov. 27.

Officials said the investigation focused on prostitutes posting online advertisements as well as "johns" seeking female prostitutes online.

Here's the breakdown:
  • 56 arrests were those accused of advertising prostitutes online.
  • 30 arrests were those accused of soliciting undercover detectives, posting ads and posing as prostitutes.
  • 11 arrests were those accused of deriving proceeds from prostitution
  • 6 were taken into custody on drug charges and other offenses.
Charges for those arrested include soliciting another for prostitution, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution, transporting to building for prostitution and using a communication device to commit a felony.

Detectives said they worked closely with “One More Child” (organization that provides help to families in need) and the Department of Children and Families during the operation.

Posted by Princess Mononoke at 8:14 PM

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