Massive Florida Sting Nets 244 Arrests, Including Ex-NFL Player and Red Cross Executive

A sweeping undercover human trafficking operation in Florida led to 244 arrests, including a former NFL linebacker and a Red Cross executive, authorities announced.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office concluded the nine-day operation, dubbed “Fool Around and Find Out,” targeting prostitution and trafficking crimes. Of those arrested, 141 were charged with soliciting sex, 93 with offering prostitution, and 10 with related offenses like trafficking or profiting from prostitution.

Among those arrested was former NFL player Adarius Taylor, who reportedly left his 6-year-old child in a car while attempting to solicit sex. Others included a Walmart manager, a Red Cross Disaster Relief executive, and individuals in the medical field. One suspect was active-duty military and 13 were veterans.

The suspects ranged in age from 17 to 70 and included people from 12 states and 36 undocumented individuals. Authorities seized eight firearms and drugs from 25 suspects. In total, the group had prior records totaling 400 felonies and 519 misdemeanors, including violent offenses.

The sheriff’s office also identified four potential human trafficking victims and arrested 11 individuals for attempting to sexually exploit children online.

Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the broader impact of such crimes, stating, “Prostitution is not a victimless crime—it leads to exploitation, addiction, violence, and broken families.”