Operation Child Protector VIII (April 29, 2026)
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
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Polk County, Florida, United States
Operation Child Protector VIII (April 29, 2026)
Sheriff Grady Judd briefs the media about a multi-day joint-agency undercover investigation, "Operation Child Protector VIII" that focused on child predators. Sheriff Judd is joined by Florida's Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia as well as other agency heads, Sheriffs, and Police Chiefs. Detectives worked with investigators from several different sheriff's offices, police departments, and the Florida Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division, resulting in the arrests of 19 suspects, 16 of whom are charged with traveling to meet a minor for sex. Three of those were charged with human trafficking for offering to pay to have sex with a child. The oldest suspect arrested is 68 years old and well-known in Polk County due to his occupation in marketing for Tri-County Health (he has since been fired) and public appearances throughout the county as Santa Claus.
Polk County, Florida, United States
US- Heart of Central Florida
- Central Florida
Polk County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. It is situated in the central part of the state, approximately 30 miles southwest of Orlando. As of the 2020 census, the population of Polk County was 720,769. The county seat is Lakeland.
Polk County is classified as a part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county covers an area of 1,231 square miles, making it one of the larger counties in Florida. Polk County is home to several notable features, including the Lakeland Chain of Lakes, a series of 27 lakes and canals that provide recreational opportunities and scenic views.
Polk County has a significant impact on the state's economy, with major industries including tourism, agriculture, and healthcare. The county is also home to several major attractions, including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, LEGOLAND Florida, and the Florida Air Museum. With its central location and diverse economy, Polk County plays an important role in the state's overall development and growth.
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