TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that 230 suspects will be charged for involvement in illegal acts related to soliciting prostitutes, offering to commit prostitution, or transporting prostitutes. During this investigation, twelve possible human trafficking victims were identified and immediately offered support.
“Human traffickers are vile predators who exploit the vulnerable, and once again, a disproportionate number of those arrested in this sting were illegal aliens,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Here in Florida, we will not give these traffickers the opportunity to destroy more lives.”
“The online prostitution industry enables and empowers human traffickers, allowing them to profit off the people they exploit,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “Our goal is to identify victims, offer them help, and arrest those who are fueling the exploitation of human beings (Johns) and those profiting from the exploitation of human beings. Prostitution is not a victimless crime – it results in human exploitation, misery, disease, dysfunction, drug and alcohol addiction, violence, and broken families.”
