A massive undercover operation in Central Florida has resulted in 281 arrests, with authorities identifying suspects connected to major theme parks, law enforcement and youth sports.

The seven-day investigation, known as Operation Polk Around & Find Out II, was conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office alongside numerous local, state and federal agencies. Investigators said the operation targeted suspected child predators, prostitution-related offenses and human trafficking networks.

Among those arrested were 13 employees of Walt Disney World, four employees of Universal Studios, an Orange County sheriff’s deputy, a youth football and cheerleading coach, and an active-duty Navy sailor.

Authorities said the suspects collectively face 488 new criminal charges, including 198 felonies and 290 misdemeanors.

The scale of the operation has drawn particular attention because some of the people arrested reportedly held positions that brought them into contact with children.

TWO UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS RAN SIMULTANEOUSLY
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, detectives conducted two separate undercover operations over seven days.

The first investigation focused on adults who attempted to travel to meet minors for unlawful sexual activity. It resulted in 32 arrests.

The second operation targeted prostitution-related activity and suspected human trafficking. It led to another 249 arrests.

Among the 281 people taken into custody, authorities identified 117 individuals accused of traveling to negotiate sexual services for money and 122 people accused of offering prostitution-related services.

Investigators said the 122 individuals were screened with assistance from social-service organizations to determine whether they might be victims of human trafficking.

That process resulted in 11 people being identified as potential trafficking victims and offered support services.

Authorities emphasized that the operation was not limited to making arrests. Identifying people who may have been exploited and connecting them with assistance was also a major part of the investigation.

17 THEME PARK EMPLOYEES AMONG THOSE ARRESTED
One of the most attention-grabbing revelations involved employees connected to two of Central Florida’s biggest entertainment destinations.

Sheriff Judd said 13 people employed by Walt Disney World and four employed by Universal Studios were among those arrested.

Seven of the suspects were identified by authorities as alleged child sexual predators who worked at local theme parks.

Judd said Disney cooperated with investigators and confirmed that the employees arrested had been fired. Universal also said it had terminated the employees involved.

The arrests have raised questions about workplace screening, employee conduct and the importance of safeguarding children in environments where large numbers of families visit every day.

However, an arrest does not establish guilt. Each suspect’s allegations must be addressed individually through the legal process.

FORMER MICKEY MOUSE PERFORMER ALLEGEDLY BROUGHT TWO BACKPACKS
Among the cases described publicly by Sheriff Judd was that of a 24-year-old man from Clermont who reportedly told detectives he had previously worked as a character performer at Disney World.

According to the sheriff, the man arrived at an undercover location carrying two backpacks containing diapers and other items.

Investigators allege that he had communicated with an undercover detective posing as the guardian of a 13-year-old boy and attempted to arrange a sexual encounter.

Judd discussed the unusual circumstances during the news conference, describing what detectives reportedly found when the suspect arrived.

The case has attracted particular attention because of the suspect’s claimed employment history and the nature of the alleged communications.

Authorities have not presented an arrest as a conviction, and the allegations will need to be tested in court.

YOUTH FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING COACH ALSO ARRESTED
Another suspect identified during the investigation was Rashiod Crayton, described by authorities as the head coach of the Davenport Titans youth football and cheerleading program.

The organization works with children between approximately 11 and 14 years old.

According to Sheriff Judd, Crayton allegedly believed he was traveling to meet a 14-year-old girl.

The case has intensified concerns about the responsibility adults hold when working with young athletes and the importance of protecting children in community sports programs.

Authorities have not suggested that the children involved in the sports program were victims in this particular undercover investigation. The allegation described by the sheriff concerns the suspect’s communications with an undercover investigator.

The arrest has nevertheless prompted renewed discussion about background checks, supervision and safeguarding procedures in youth organizations.

ORANGE COUNTY DEPUTY ACCUSED OF ARRANGING TO PAY FOR SEX
The operation also resulted in the arrest of Eric Raymond, an Orange County deputy sheriff who was assigned as a school resource deputy at Independence Elementary School.

Investigators allege that Raymond responded to an undercover online advertisement and traveled to meet someone to negotiate sexual services in exchange for money.

Sheriff Judd said Raymond arrived at the undercover location and attempted to arrange the transaction.

During the encounter, the deputy reportedly questioned whether his photograph would be publicly released after his arrest.

Judd said he made clear that the officer’s position in law enforcement would not protect him from public identification.

The case has raised serious questions because school resource deputies are expected to help protect students and maintain trust between schools and law enforcement.

Raymond’s arrest remains an allegation, and the court process will determine the outcome of the charges against him.

ACTIVE-DUTY NAVY SAILOR AMONG THE SUSPECTS
An active-duty Navy sailor was also arrested during the operation.

Authorities identified him as Dang Thai, a Navy machinist who allegedly communicated with an undercover investigator while believing he was interacting with a minor.

According to reporting on the sheriff’s news conference, Thai allegedly misrepresented his age and referenced his security clearance during the encounter.

The case added another unexpected dimension to an operation that included suspects from a wide range of professions and backgrounds.

Investigators have not suggested that the alleged conduct was connected to the sailor’s military duties.

11 POSSIBLE HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS IDENTIFIED
While much of the public attention has focused on the suspects, authorities say the investigation also uncovered people who may have been exploited.

Detectives worked with One More Child, a nonprofit organization that supports vulnerable children and trafficking survivors, as well as the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Specialists screened the 122 people accused of offering prostitution-related services.

Eleven were identified as potential victims of human trafficking and offered crisis resources and direct assistance.

Stacie Ham, an anti-trafficking supervisor with One More Child, explained that supporting survivors involves more than identifying their circumstances. It can include helping people navigate legal proceedings, find employment, secure housing and rebuild their lives.

The involvement of social-service professionals highlights an important distinction in trafficking investigations: some individuals encountered in prostitution-related cases may themselves be experiencing exploitation.

Authorities have not released the identities of those 11 people, and protecting their privacy remains important.

INVESTIGATORS REVEAL THE SCALE OF THE ARRESTS
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office also released figures showing the extent of the operation.

The 281 suspects reportedly had a combined history of 798 prior criminal charges, including 358 previous felony charges.

Nine were actively serving probation for offenses that included bank robbery and cruelty to a child. Authorities also said nine had been arrested in previous sheriff’s office undercover operations.

Investigators seized 24 firearms during the operation.

Another 32 suspects faced drug-possession charges involving substances that included methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl.

Authorities said only 40 of the 281 people arrested lived in Polk County. The others had traveled from different parts of Florida, 20 other states and 18 foreign countries.

These figures demonstrate how a local undercover operation attracted individuals from far beyond the county.

FLORIDA OFFICIALS PROMISE FURTHER PROSECUTIONS
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier joined Sheriff Judd in discussing the results of the investigation.

Uthmeier said the state would pursue the cases and emphasized that people attempting to exploit children would face serious legal consequences.

Under Florida law, traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity can constitute a second-degree felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

The specific penalties in each case will depend on the charges filed, the evidence and the outcome of the court proceedings.

Authorities also said the operation involved a broad network of law enforcement agencies, including municipal police departments, county sheriff’s offices, state investigators and federal partners.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The arrests mark the end of the seven-day undercover operation, but the legal process is only beginning.

Prosecutors will now have to pursue the individual cases, review evidence and establish which charges can be supported in court.

The arrests involving theme park employees, a youth sports coach and a school resource deputy are likely to receive particular scrutiny because of the responsibilities associated with those positions.

At the same time, the identification of 11 potential trafficking victims highlights the need for continued support beyond the initial arrests.

For parents, the investigation is also a reminder of the importance of knowing the adults who interact with their children, staying involved in their online activities and maintaining open conversations about inappropriate contact.

Operation Polk Around & Find Out II has become one of the largest recent enforcement actions of its kind in Polk County. But with 281 cases moving into the justice system, the full consequences of the investigation will become clearer in the months ahead.