Polk County Sting Nets 281 Arrests, Including Theme Park Staff and Youth Coach

Key points

• Operation 'Polk Around & Find Out II' ran for seven days, targeting two distinct groups: 32 individuals attempting to meet minors for sex and 249 involved in human trafficking or prostitution.
• 17 suspects were identified as theme park employees, including 13 from Disney and 4 from Universal; seven of these were charged as child sex predators.
• Notable arrests included a head coach of the Davenport Titans youth football team and an Orange County school resource deputy, Eric Raymond.
• Authorities seized 24 firearms and charged 32 suspects with drug possession, including methamphetamine and fentanyl.
• 32 suspects were undocumented immigrants from nine countries; 16 have been transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• The suspects had a combined 798 prior criminal charges, including 358 felonies; nine were on active probation.

Background

This operation follows a trend of increased enforcement against child predators in Florida, with over 2,300 such arrests statewide since February 2025. The use of undercover detectives posing as minors or their guardians is a standard tactic in these stings. Previous archive coverage confirms the scale of this specific operation but does not provide new details on the suspects' backgrounds or the specific charges.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News and ABC7 WWSB focus on the high-profile nature of the arrests, particularly the involvement of Disney and Universal employees, and the immediate response from the companies. FOX 13 Tampa Bay provides a more detailed breakdown of the charges, highlighting the dual nature of the sting (child predators vs. trafficking networks) and the extensive criminal history of the suspects. WKMG offers a granular look at individual suspects, including specific quotes and actions, such as the former Mickey Mouse character carrying diapers and the youth coach bringing sex toys. All sources agree on the core facts but differ in emphasis: CBS and ABC7 highlight the institutional response, FOX 13 emphasizes the legal and statistical scope, and WKMG focuses on the individual depravity of the suspects.

Why it matters

The operation underscores the ongoing threat of online child predation and human trafficking in Florida, particularly in tourist-heavy areas like Polk County. The involvement of theme park employees and a youth coach raises serious concerns about the safety of children in public and institutional settings. The strict penalties and federal involvement signal a heightened enforcement posture against such crimes.

What to watch

Prosecutors will seek maximum statutory penalties for all defendants. ICE will continue processing the 32 undocumented suspects, with 16 already in custody. One More Child and other social service agencies will continue supporting the 11 identified trafficking victims. Law enforcement will review whether additional children were victimized by the youth football coach. Disney and Universal will likely face public scrutiny over their hiring and vetting processes.