At the end of October 2026, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced the results of a seven-day undercover operation it called “Polk Around & Find Out II.” The sheriff’s office reported 281 arrests. According to FOX 35 Orlando, 239 of those arrests involved prostitution-related charges (soliciting, offering, or aiding and transporting), 31 involved people accused of trying to meet children for sex, and 11 involved other charges.
The story made national news because 17 of the people arrested reportedly worked at Central Florida theme parks, including 13 Disney employees and 4 Universal Studios employees, as reported by CBS News. Officials also said only 40 of the people arrested lived in Polk County. The rest came from other parts of Florida, 20 other states, and 18 countries, according to WWSB.
If you or someone you love was arrested in this operation, you are probably scared, embarrassed, and unsure what happens next. Maybe you’ve already lost your job. Maybe your name and photo are online. This post walks you through what you’re facing and what to do now.
This is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different. Talk to a Florida criminal defense attorney about your specific situation.
First: Stop Talking About Your Case
Undercover operations are built on evidence: text messages, chat logs, recorded calls, and what you said after your arrest. Anything you say now can add to that.
- Don’t talk about your case with detectives, coworkers, family, or other people in jail.
- Don’t post about it on social media or message anyone involved.
- Don’t delete messages, apps, or accounts. That can create new legal problems.
- You have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. Use both.
What Happens After an Arrest in Florida
Under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.130, a person who is arrested and not released must be brought before a judge within 24 hours. This is called first appearance. At that hearing, the judge tells you what you’re charged with, reviews whether you have a lawyer, and sets the conditions of your release, such as bond.
This is one of the most important moments in your case, and it happens fast. An attorney who is already on your side can speak to the judge about release conditions before you’re stuck with terms that affect your job, your home, or your family.
After first appearance, the State Attorney’s Office decides what formal charges to file. That decision isn’t automatic. What happens in these early weeks can shape the entire case.
The Charges People Are Facing
The sheriff’s office hasn’t published the exact charge for every person, so check your arrest paperwork. Most cases from this kind of operation fall into two groups.
Soliciting prostitution (Florida Statute § 796.07(2)(f))
Most arrests in this operation were prostitution-related. Many people assume a solicitation charge is minor. Florida law treats it more seriously than most people expect:
- First offense: first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail.
- Second offense: third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
- Third or later offense: second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
On top of that, Florida law requires the court to order 100 hours of community service and, where the circuit offers one, payment for and attendance at an educational program. A second or later offense carries a minimum of 10 days in jail. If a vehicle was used, the judge can order it impounded or immobilized for up to 60 days after conviction. There’s also a $5,000 civil penalty for any outcome other than an acquittal or dismissal.
Online solicitation of a minor and traveling to meet a minor (Florida Statute § 847.0135)
Thirty-one people were arrested in the part of the operation targeting adults accused of trying to meet children for sex. In these stings, the “child” is usually an undercover detective.
Florida law covers communication with “a child or another person believed by the person to be a child.” That means the fact that no real child was involved is not, by itself, a defense.
- Using a computer or phone to solicit a minor (§ 847.0135(3)): third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It becomes a second-degree felony if the person lied about their age.
- Traveling to meet a minor (§ 847.0135(4)): second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
A conviction for these offenses can also require registering as a sexual offender under Florida Statute § 943.0435, a consequence that can follow a person for life. That’s a big reason early, experienced defense matters so much.
Why Hire a Defense Attorney Right Away
Waiting until your court date is one of the most common mistakes people make. Here’s what an attorney can do early on:
- Protect you at first appearance and push for reasonable release conditions.
- Talk to prosecutors before formal charges are filed, when there may be more room to influence what happens.
- Get the full evidence, including chat logs and recordings, and look closely at how the operation was run. Sting cases raise real legal questions, such as whether law enforcement went too far in pushing someone toward a crime.
- Explain your options, including whether any diversion or pretrial program could apply to your case.
- Help you handle the fallout, like immigration concerns, professional licenses, and employment.
If you’re not a U.S. citizen, these charges can also affect your immigration status. Immigration officials were present during this operation and placed detainers on more than 30 people, according to WWSB. Tell your attorney about your status right away so your criminal defense strategy accounts for it.
Where Your Case Will Be Heard
Arrests from this operation were made in Polk County, so the cases will go through the Polk County court system. That’s true even if you live in Orlando, Tampa, or out of state. You’ll want a lawyer who regularly handles cases in Polk County.
Talk to Smith & Eulo Law Firm Today
If you or a family member was arrested in the “Polk Around & Find Out II” operation, don’t wait for your court date. The decisions made in the first days after an arrest matter.
Smith & Eulo Law Firm defends people charged with criminal offenses across Florida, with an office in Lakeland. We offer free consultations for criminal cases, we answer calls 24/7, and we take cases in Spanish.
Call our Lakeland office now at (863) 272-7010 for your free consultation.
2420 N. Crystal Lake Dr., Suite 2-203, Lakeland, FL 33801
Sources
- CBS News: Disney and Universal employees among those arrested in Polk County sting
- FOX 35 Orlando: 281 arrested in Polk County human trafficking sting
- WWSB: 281 arrested in 7-day Polk County undercover operation
- Florida Statutes § 796.07
- Florida Statutes § 847.0135
- Florida Statutes § 775.082 (penalties)
The information in this post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
