POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Over 100 arrests were made in a six-day undercover investigation targeting child predators, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said the arrests were a result of a multi-agency effort investigating human trafficking, prostitution and child predators.
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Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said 108 people were arrested during “Operation March Sadness 2.”
“We’re online to stop them from getting to children,” Judd said.
Judd said his agency worked with local law enforcement to take down “Johns” seeking prostitutes, arrest child predators and free victims from human trafficking.
The sheriff said the “grand slam” arrests were four child sex predators.
“This is huge. Four arrests of this magnitude in a week is simply remarkable,” Judd said.
One of the four child predator arrests included Xavier Jackson, 27, a lifeguard at a Disney resort.
“He thought he was chatting with a 14-year-old girl and he sent photos of himself doing things that are totally inappropriate,” Judd said.
Jackson was arrested and faces multiple charges, including three counts of transmission of material harmful to a minor and unlawful use of two-way communication device. News 6 reached out to Disney and we’re told Jackson is on unpaid leave.
Judd said another major arrest during the operation was Tiffany Nash, 32, who worked at an Orlando area KFC.
“It’s not often we arrest traffickers at the undercover site but we did,” Judd said.
Judd said Nash was arrested during the operation for trafficking a young woman.
“She would force this young lady, this victim, to come along. This deal was for $300. If this lady were lucky, she would get $20,” Judd said.
Nash was arrested and faces human trafficking, deriving proceeds from prostitution, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia charges.
Judd said law enforcement was lucky they found Nash’s victim and got her help.
“She’s not criminally charged and she’s not up here on this board because she’s immediately turned over and treated as a victim, not a criminal suspect in an event,” he said.
Judd added law enforcement will not stop until criminals like this are behind bars.
“We’ll be back. And if you violate the law, we’re going to take you to jail. That’s a guarantee,” he said.