Joint operation nabs 255 in human trafficking sting; ICE lodges 30 detainers

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement joined the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for a nine-day multiagency undercover human trafficking operation starting May 2, where 255 arrests were made for illegal acts related to soliciting prostitutes, prostitution, involved in aiding or abetting prostitution, and child exploitation.

Throughout this operation, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Miami – Tampa sub-office interviewed over 50 foreign-born individuals, leading to over 30 ICE detainers placed with the Polk County Sheriff's Office. These individuals — originally from Venezuela, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala, and Brazil — will be taken into ICE custody once their criminal cases are resolved. Their criminal charges range from solicitation of prostitution to soliciting a minor for sex.

“ICE is in a unique position to enforce immigration law in the interior of the U.S. with its broad investigatory authorities and law enforcement capabilities,” said ICE ERO Assistant Field Office Director David Gritte. “Our congressionally mandated mission is to preserve public safety and national security by keeping dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities. We prioritize public safety over politics. Brave officers are on the streets every day, risking their lives to locate, arrest and remove the most egregious criminal aliens in line with the president’s policy of ‘worst first.’”

“We are committed to our partnerships in these efforts to identity and combat predators engaged in human trafficking and child exploitation,” he said.

An ICE Homeland Security Investigations Tampa task force officer joined the ranks of the operation providing investigative support to both the human trafficking and child sexual predator missions of the operation. The TFO and a forensic interview specialist participated in undercover chatting with the suspects arrested for attempting to engage in sexual encounters with minors, also known as travelers. Upon arrests, the interview specialist conducted interviews to identify potential victims trafficked for commercial sex. The HSI TFO was responsible for six of the 10 traveler arrests during the operation.

“It is extremely disturbing when we encounter nasty child predators like these who are very eager to have sex with children,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “This is why we conduct these types of undercover operations. Keeping children safe is our number one priority, and we appreciate our partnering agencies, without whom we would not be as successful in apprehending these dangerous offenders.”

Upon the conclusion of their criminal charges, ICE will take custody of the criminal illegal aliens and process them for removal. The charges range from solicitation of prostitution to soliciting a minor for sex.

ICE officials have continually emphasized the agency’s continued focus to identifying public safety and national security threats. Individuals unlawfully present in the United States who are encountered during enforcement operations may be taken into custody and processed for removal in accordance with federal law.

Members of the public with information about suspected immigration violations or related criminal activity are encouraged to contact the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submit information online via the ICE Tip Form.

For more information about ICE HSI Tampa and ICE ERO Miami and their efforts to enhance public safety in Florida, follow them on X at @HSITampa and ERO Miami.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)