Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd gives a press conference announcing the arrest of 157 people in a sting targeting individuals accused of traveling to sexually assault minors, prostitution solicitation and prostitution human trafficking. Valley News/Courtesy photo
A five-day undercover human trafficking operation led to 157 arrests in Polk County, including suspects soliciting prostitutes and individuals accused of traveling to sexually assault minors. The operation, dubbed "Operation Autumn Sweep," began on October 2, 2024, and involved multiple law enforcement agencies.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd showed photos of men who were caught attempting to buy prostitutes and children who were 14 year old boys and girls. Some of them traveled across state lines to have sex with a minor. One man was out on a bond for the same crime in his home state. Judd showed a human trafficker that was caught and said it is rare that they are able to catch the men behind the scenes.
The operation also revealed that 25 of the suspects arrested are believed to be in
