The Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida has taken significant action against human trafficking, arresting nearly 160 suspects, including 25 illegal aliens from Cuba, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Venezuela. Some of these cases, disturbingly, involve children.
The undercover operation, named Operation Autumn Sweep, was launched earlier this month and led to the arrest of 157 individuals. These arrests were for soliciting prostitution, offering to engage in prostitution, or aiding and abetting those involved in prostitution. Alarmingly, three suspects were arrested for allegedly attempting to travel in order to sexually assault minors.
Among those arrested, 25 are illegal aliens, reflecting a serious concern about the lack of control at our borders. Additionally, 26 of the suspects are married, nine are receiving government assistance funded by taxpayers, and 131 are from outside of Polk County, Florida. Three suspects were either active-duty military personnel or veterans, and three were employees of Disney World.
One of the illegal aliens arrested was Ezequiel Mejia, a 30-year-old from Mexico, who entered the U.S. about 10 years ago. According to authorities, Mejia communicated with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl through social media. Mejia expressed a desire to be her “boyfriend,” while acknowledging he could face serious legal consequences. He later attempted to meet who he believed was the girl, bringing condoms with him.
Mejia, who has a wife and a 7-year-old daughter, was charged with several serious offenses, including traveling to meet a minor, using a two-way communication device to commit a felony, attempted lewd battery on a minor, and resisting arrest.
This operation highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement of immigration laws and more vigilance in protecting our children and communities from the threat of human trafficking.
