POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County deputies shared details Friday about a massive sex sting operation.
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Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference around 10:30 a.m. to talk about operation “Fall Haul 2.”
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Judd said “Fall Haul 2″ was a multi-law enforcement agency seven-day undercover investigation focusing on human trafficking.
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Deputies said 160 arrests were made during the operation, including a school employee, a state corrections officer and a deputy police chief from Georgia.
Deputies said a majority of those arrested are from the Orlando area.
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“The online prostitution industry enables traffickers and allows for the continued victimization of those who are being trafficked,” Judd said. “Our goal is to identify victims, offer them help, and arrest those who are fueling the exploitation of human beings (Johns) and those profiting from the exploitation of human beings. Prostitution is not a victimless crime – it results in exploitation, disease, dysfunction, drug and alcohol addiction, violence, and broken families.”
Representatives from several social services organizations were also at the news conference.
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Judd said they also identified several human trafficking victims, and those who are seeking help have been connected with resources.
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