{"id":2049889,"date":"2023-09-29T16:01:01","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T20:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/disney-employees-school-coach-among-219-snared-in-sweeping-florida-sex-trafficking-sting\/"},"modified":"2023-09-29T16:03:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T20:03:28","slug":"disney-employees-school-coach-among-219-snared-in-sweeping-florida-sex-trafficking-sting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/disney-employees-school-coach-among-219-snared-in-sweeping-florida-sex-trafficking-sting\/","title":{"rendered":"Over 200 individuals, including Disney employees and a school coach, caught in Florida sex trafficking operation."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdisney-employees-school-coach-among-219-snared-in-sweeping-florida-sex-trafficking-sting%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2049889&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Florida Law Enforcement Agencies\u200c Collaborate to Arrest 219 Suspects in Massive Sex Trafficking\u2063 Sting Operation<\/h2>\n<p>Officers from 10 \u2063different <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oregon-governor-encourages-people-to-call-police-on-neighbors-violating-covid-orders\/\" title=\"Oregon Governor Encourages People To Call Police On Neighbors Violating COVID Orders\">law enforcement agencies<\/a> in Florida joined forces to apprehend a total of 219 suspects, including \u200b119 alleged prostitutes, \u206335 suspected illegal immigrants, \u200band two individuals accused of human trafficking.<\/p>\n<p>Out of the suspected prostitutes arrested, 21 were identified as potential victims of human trafficking.<\/p>\n<p>In a press conference titled Operation Traffic Stop 2, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd unveiled the outcomes of the sting operation. The arrested individuals encompassed a local high school coach and several employees from the renowned Disney company.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This operation has surpassed all our previous records in terms of the number of suspects apprehended. Moreover, we have \u2063successfully identified 21 victims of human trafficking,\u2063 which \u200badds to the 24 victims identified during a similar operation\u200d in February. In total, we have identified\u200b 45 victims this\u200d year,&#8221; stated Judd in a news release.<\/p>\n<p>Judd emphasized the significance of the collaboration\u2064 between law enforcement agencies and social\u200c services organizations, \u200cwhich enables the rescued women to receive the necessary assistance and break free from their exploitative circumstances.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Immediate Support for Human Trafficking Victims<\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;One of the crucial aspects\u2063 of these operations is that we promptly provide services to the victims \u2062of human trafficking. That is our primary\u200c focus,&#8221; emphasized Judd.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The 219 individuals apprehended during the operation had a history of numerous misdemeanor and felony charges, leading Judd to categorize them as &#8220;criminals.&#8221;\u200b However, he acknowledged that some of them may be &#8220;innocent victims&#8221; of trafficking.<\/p>\n<p>According to Judd, some of the arrested individuals \u2064engaged\u2064 in \u200dthe sex industry to repay the &#8220;coyotes&#8221; who facilitated their illegal \u2062entry into the United States.<\/p>\n<p>Among the arrested suspects was Russell Rodgers,\u200d identified\u200d as a public school teacher and athletic director at a private\u2062 school. Additionally, several Disney employees were also caught in the sting operation.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What kind \u2064of operation would it be if we didn&#8217;t arrest someone employed by \u2064Disney?&#8221; Judd rhetorically questioned.<\/p>\n<p>To read\u2063 the complete news release, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.polksheriff.org\/news-investigations\/polk-county-news\/2023\/09\/28\/polk-county-sheriff-s-office-arrests-219-during-seven-day-human-trafficking-enforcement-operation-operation-traffic-stop-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Details of the Operation<\/h3>\n<p>During a seven-day undercover human trafficking operation that commenced on September 19, 2023, the Polk County Sheriff&#8217;s Office Vice Unit apprehended 219 suspects. The investigation received assistance from detectives representing the Lake \u2063County Sheriff&#8217;s Office, Auburndale PD, Bartow PD, Davenport PD, Lakeland PD, Lake Hamilton PD, Lake \u200dWales \u2064PD, Winter Haven PD, and Zephyrhills PD. The Office \u200cof \u2064the State Attorney 10th Judicial\u2063 Circuit, State Attorney Brian Haas, members from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), \u200dand various\u200b social services organizations were also involved.<\/p>\n<p>The suspects who traveled to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/disney-employees-school-coach-among-219-snared-in-sweeping-florida-sex-trafficking-sting\/\" title=\"Over 200 individuals, including Disney employees and a school coach, caught in Florida sex trafficking operation.\">provide prostitution services underwent screening<\/a> \u2063by detectives and \u2062social services\u2062 organizations to\u200c determine if \u200cthey were victims of trafficking or exploitation. These individuals were offered services by the social services organizations during the operation. Out\u2062 of the 119 arrested prostitutes, 21 potential human trafficking victims were identified. \u2062Two suspects faced charges of human trafficking, a life felony:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Freddy Escalona, DOB \u20629\/6\/1993, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged with \u2062Human Trafficking (F1) and Deriving Proceeds from \u200bProstitution (F2). Escalona loaned money to a victim to\u2064 fix her car and forced her into \u2062prostitution to repay the debt. He transported the \u200dvictim to the undercover location \u2063and was subsequently apprehended. Escalona admitted to \u200dhaving &#8220;several females that he \u200cworked&#8221; who paid him for \u2064transportation and protection. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are pending.<\/li>\n<li>Maria Guzman, DOB 5\/29\/1987, of Orlando, was charged with\u200b Human Trafficking (F1) \u2063and Deriving Proceeds. Guzman trafficked two victims from a hotel in \u200dOrlando, arranging their &#8220;dates&#8221; and profiting \u2064from their earnings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A total of 83 suspects were arrested for soliciting a prostitute\u200c and \u2063traveling\u200c to the undercover location to negotiate sexual \u200bservices\u2064 in \u2063exchange for money. Additionally, 17 other suspects\u200c were apprehended, including \u200bfive who were either deriving proceeds from prostitution or\u2063 aiding and abetting prostitutes, and eight \u200dwho transported the prostitutes to the\u200c undercover location.\u200d Throughout the investigation, detectives filed a total of 44 felony \u2063charges and 242 misdemeanor charges.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not only did we arrest more suspects during this\u2063 single operation than we have ever arrested before, we \u2063identified 21 human trafficking victims; during a similar operation in February, \u200cwe\u2063 identified 24 victims. That&#8217;s 45 victims we were able to identify this year. The\u2063 valuable relationships that we\u200d have with the social services organizations who join us in these operations make it possible\u200b for these women to get help and be\u200b emancipated from this way of life.&#8221; &#8211; Grady Judd, Sheriff<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Interesting Facts from the Operation<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>35 of the arrested individuals are suspected of being \u2064in the country illegally, \u2062and three of them \u200dwere identified as victims of human trafficking. The individuals who are in the\u200c country illegally originate from six different countries: Cuba, Chile, \u2064Venezuela, Mexico, \u2064Guatemala, Colombia, and the Bahamas.<\/li>\n<li>41 suspects \u200cinformed detectives that they are married.<\/li>\n<li>13 suspects disclosed \u200dthat they receive government assistance.<\/li>\n<li>42 suspects brought illegal drugs to the location, resulting in the seizure of\u200b fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana.<\/li>\n<li>Two suspects carried firearms to the undercover location.<\/li>\n<li>18 suspects came from other states, including Alabama, California, Georgia, \u2062Illinois, Massachusetts, \u200cMaryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.<\/li>\n<li>The oldest individual arrested \u2063is 76 years \u2064old (Frank Bydairk), while the youngest is 18 years old (Latrice Vilsaint).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/disney-employees-school-coach-among-219-snared-sweeping-florida-sex-trafficking-sting\/\">Disney Employees, School Coach Among 219 Snared in Sweeping Florida Sex Trafficking Sting<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\">The Western Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What actions\u200b are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pentagon-leak\/\" title=\"Pentagon Leak\">law enforcement agencies taking<\/a> to support the\u200d victims of sex trafficking?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Al of 255 charges against the 219 suspects, including \u2062charges for human trafficking, deriving proceeds from \u200dprostitution, aiding and abetting prostitution, and solicitation of prostitution. <\/p>\n<p>The success of Operation Traffic Stop 2 \u200chighlights\u200c the dedication and effectiveness of \u2063Florida&#8217;s law enforcement agencies in combating sex trafficking and rescuing victims. \u200dBy collaborating with social services organizations, the rescued victims are able to receive the immediate support they \u2064need to begin their journey towards healing and recovery.\u200c <\/p>\n<p>While the operation has resulted in the apprehension \u2064of\u2064 numerous individuals involved in criminal activities, it is important\u2063 to recognize\u200d that some of them may be victims themselves. Many are coerced or forced into the sex industry\u2064 as a means to\u2062 pay\u200c off debts or\u2062 survive. By providing resources and\u200d assistance to these individuals, law enforcement agencies are able to\u200b address the root causes of human trafficking and offer hope \u2062for a \u200dbetter future. <\/p>\n<p>The involvement of individuals employed by reputable companies such as Disney \u2064serves as a reminder that human trafficking can infiltrate\u200d any industry or community. It reinforces the importance of continued vigilance and collaboration between \u200dlaw enforcement and corporate entities to eradicate\u200b this heinous crime.<\/p>\n<p>Moving forward, it is\u2064 vital for law enforcement \u2064agencies to continue \u200btheir efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks and bring\u200c the perpetrators \u200dto \u2064justice. Through increased awareness, comprehensive training, and ongoing collaboration, we \u200bcan create a society that is intolerant of exploitation and committed to the \u2062protection and empowerment of its most vulnerable members.<\/p>\n<p>To \u200dlearn more about Operation Traffic \u2062Stop 2\u2064 and the efforts of the\u2062 Florida\u2062 law enforcement agencies, please\u2063 visit the Polk County Sheriff&#8217;s Office website and read the complete news release. Together, we can make a difference in the\u2063 fight against human trafficking and ensure that our communities are safe and free from\u2062 exploitation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>219 suspects, including 119 alleged prostitutes, 35 suspected illegal immigrants, and 2 accused of human trafficking, were apprehended in Florida. 21 of the arrested prostitutes may be victims of human trafficking. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd disclosed the successful outcome of the collaborative operation involving 10 law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2010,"featured_media":2049890,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[548],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2049889","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conservative-news-daily"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049889","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2010"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2049889"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049889\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2049890"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2049889"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2049889"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2049889"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}