POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference Tuesday morning to speak about a human trafficking sting that led to more than 200 arrests.

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Officials said Operations March Sadness 2024 led to the arrest of 228 people, including 21 who are living in the country illegally.

Deputies said the undercover investigation lasted eight days, involved multiple law enforcement agencies and focused on human trafficking.

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Investigators said the arrests were from people who “offered to commit prostitution and other suspects who transported prostitutes to the undercover location.”

Officials said 13 victims of human trafficking were identified during the operations.

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Deputies said among those arrested were a school teacher, coaches, active military members and other working professionals.

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