More than 100 people were arrested by Polk deputies during a recent online prostitution sting.
The 6-day sting started on Nov. 27 and ended on Dec. 2 and targeted prostitutes posting online advertisements as well as “johns” seeking female prostitutes online.
103 suspects were arrested. Detectives say 56 suspects advertised as prostitutes online and 30 suspects solicited undercover detectives who posted ads posing as prostitutes.
Detectives say 11 other suspects received proceeds from prostitution. Six people were taken into custody for drug charges and other offenses.
During the operation, undercover detectives posted fictitious ads or profiles on various social media platforms, websites, and mobile phone applications, posing as prostitutes or those soliciting prostitutes. Some of the detectives responded to profiles and online ads posted by prostitutes.
Despite the repeated warnings and media coverage of past operations, several suspects responded to the ads and drove to the undisclosed undercover location.
Charges for those arrested include soliciting another for prostitution, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution, transporting to building for prostitution and using a communication device to commit a felony.
Detectives worked closely with One More Child and the Department of Children and Families during the operation.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd will release more information about each suspect and their mugshots during a news conference at 1 p.m. Monday.
You can watch the news conference on WFLA.com and the WFLA Facebook page.
