Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd broke the news that a nine-day undercover sting operation led to the arrest of 255 suspects, including high-profile individuals like former NFL player Adarius Taylor. The operation, dubbed “Fool Around and Find Out,” is now making national headlines as details emerge about the suspects’ backgrounds and the scale of alleged crimes.
According to Fox News, the sting targeted suspected human traffickers, child sex predators, and illegal migrants, marking the largest bust of its kind in Polk County history. Among the arrestees, 36 were identified as illegal migrants, with 26 not tracked by federal authorities.
Sheriff Judd’s efforts are being praised by state and local officials, while critics are raising questions about federal immigration oversight and the broader issue of sex trafficking in America. The operation’s results have triggered intense debate about how law enforcement and the government are responding to these threats.
Undercover operation uncovers shocking details
Sheriff Grady Judd led the “Fool Around and Find Out” operation with cooperation from multiple agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which partnered with Polk County for the first time. Over nine days in May, law enforcement targeted online prostitution sites and set up undercover stings that resulted in the arrest of a cross-section of suspects from various walks of life.
The operation revealed a startling mix of individuals allegedly involved in human trafficking and related crimes. Among those apprehended were a medical doctor, an executive with the American Red Cross, active and retired military members, and Adarius Taylor, a former NFL player who left his vulnerable child alone in a car while allegedly attempting to solicit an undercover officer posing as a prostitute.
Sheriff Judd told Fox News Digital that the 26 illegal migrants who had not checked in with authorities “were not even on the federal government’s radar,” emphasizing the risks posed by unvetted individuals entering the country. Officials argue that if these migrants were not present, 15% of the crimes committed during the operation would not have occurred.
Suspects include professionals and celebrities
The diversity of those arrested has stunned both law enforcement and the public. Not only were prominent individuals swept up in the operation, but so were people who, on the surface, led respectable lives. An executive from the American Red Cross and a medical doctor were both among the suspects, underscoring the point that criminal activity can infiltrate any profession.
In one particularly disturbing case, Adarius Taylor, who played for the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Cleveland Browns before retiring in 2020, allegedly left his young, medically vulnerable child alone in a vehicle while seeking sexual favors. Another arrest involved a man whose wife was at home battling cancer, raising questions about personal responsibility and moral judgment.
Detectives charged a total of 102 felonies and 284 misdemeanors during the operation. Prior criminal histories of those arrested included charges such as premeditated murder, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery, and sexual assault. Authorities say these figures highlight the ongoing dangers posed by repeat offenders and the need for aggressive law enforcement tactics.
Trafficking victims offered help
Sheriff Judd has consistently emphasized that the purpose of such operations is not just to arrest criminals but to help the victims who are often caught up in cycles of exploitation. In a statement following the operation, 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, drug and alcohol addiction, violence, and broken families.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked closely with victim advocacy organizations to identify those being trafficked and connect them with support services. Officials argue that online prostitution platforms make it easier for traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals, fueling the demand for these stings.
Critics, however, caution that law enforcement must balance aggressive policing with due process and sensitivity for trafficking victims. Some advocacy groups insist that not all those caught in such stings are willing participants or criminals and stress the importance of trauma-informed approaches.
Future operations and public reaction
Sheriff Judd has made it clear that this record-setting operation will not be his agency’s last. Citing the ongoing threat posed by traffickers and predators, he assured the public that future stings are already in the works. Judd’s zero-tolerance policy is drawing both praise and criticism as the community reacts to the scope of the arrests.
Judd’s message to would-be offenders is blunt. He told Fox News Digital that anyone who thinks they can commit crimes in Florida without consequences is mistaken. “I’ll put you on blast all across the nation, and that’s a guarantee,” Judd said.
Public opinion remains divided. Supporters applaud the sheriff’s tough stance and call for stronger federal action on illegal immigration and trafficking. Critics argue that underlying social issues must also be addressed, including poverty and addiction, which often drive people into risky situations.
