Operation Autumn Sweep Leads To 157 Arrests

A five-day undercover operation in Polk County, Florida, resulted in 157 arrests related to human trafficking and solicitation.

At a Glance

Operation Autumn Sweep led to 157 arrests, including 96 for solicitation.
Four potential human trafficking victims were identified.
Three suspects were arrested for attempting to solicit children online.

Operation Autumn Sweep Nets 157 Arrests

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies and social services organizations, conducted a five-day undercover human trafficking operation starting October 2. The operation, dubbed “Operation Autumn Sweep,” resulted in 157 arrests related to buying intimate relations and human trafficking. Among those arrested, 96 suspects were charged with solicitation, while one individual faced human trafficking charges.

The operation uncovered a total of 35 felonies and 201 misdemeanors. Notably, the suspects had a combined criminal history of 327 felonies and 455 misdemeanors, indicating a pattern of repeat offenses. Four potential human trafficking victims were identified at the undercover location.

Child Predators and Online Solicitation

Among the most disturbing findings of Operation Autumn Sweep was the arrest of three suspects for attempting to solicit children online. This highlights the ongoing threat of online predators targeting vulnerable youth.

One suspect, Branden Orr, allegedly communicated with a detective posing as a minor and expressed intentions to visit Disney. Orr claimed to be a lifeguard at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, raising concerns about potential risks to children at popular tourist destinations.

Diverse Range of Suspects

The operation revealed a diverse array of suspects, ranging in age from 15 to 61 years old. Some of those arrested were military personnel or Disney World employees, underscoring the pervasive nature of these crimes across various sectors of society. Additionally, 26 of the suspects were married, and nine were receiving government assistance at the time of their arrest.