Florida law enforcement officials arrested 157 individuals during a large-scale human trafficking operation, including 25 illegal immigrants, some of whom allegedly received benefits from the federal government upon entering the U.S.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, along with representatives from several law enforcement agencies across Florida, announced the results of “Operation Autumn Sweep.” The operation, which began on October 2, targeted illegal activities related to prostitution, soliciting prostitution, and aiding or abetting such acts. Additionally, three individuals were arrested for traveling to sexually assault children, reports WFLA.

A Disney employee and over 150 others, including illegal immigrants, have been arrested in a major undercover human trafficking operation that also rescued four potential victims.

Dubbed "Operation Autumn Sweep," the five-day, multi-agency investigation led to 157 arrests,… pic.twitter.com/URXBxir27g

— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) October 17, 2024

The investigation identified four potential human trafficking victims out of the 47 women who arrived at undercover locations to engage in prostitution. In total, 96 suspects were arrested for soliciting prostitution, while the entire operation led to 35 felony charges and 201 misdemeanor charges.

Despite being cut short due to Hurricane Milton, Sheriff Judd highlighted the success of the operation. “Even with the hurricane approaching, we managed to arrest 157 people and take three child predators off the streets,” Judd stated.

Sheriff Grady Judd is briefing the media about Operation Autumn Sweep, an undercover investigation during which 157 suspects were arrested – as well as 3 suspects who were arrested for soliciting who they thought were children online for sex. One of those suspects – Michael… pic.twitter.com/Rsc12FBh6u

— Polk County Sheriff 🚔 Grady Judd (@PolkCoSheriff) October 17, 2024

Of the 157 arrested, 25 were illegal immigrants from countries including Cuba, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Venezuela. Sheriff Judd was critical of federal immigration policies by the Biden-Harris administration, stating, “Sixteen percent of these arrests were people who should not even have been in this country. They’re here because our federal government allowed these criminals to come in, and they were treated generously after arriving illegally.”

Judd shared the story of one female suspect who crossed into the U.S. illegally with her child, entering through El Paso, Texas, after flying from Venezuela to Mexico. Upon arrival, she was processed by Border Patrol and placed in a migrant housing facility. Judd explained that she was provided with government benefits, including Medicaid and SNAP, and received free transportation from Texas to Chicago and eventually to Florida.

Judd expressed frustration with how illegal immigrants are treated, especially as Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Milton are still awaiting aid. “This woman received free housing, free travel, free food, and medical care—all paid for by U.S. taxpayers,” Judd said.

In addition, Judd reported that four of the human trafficking victims had been smuggled across the border, with two owing a $6,000 debt to their traffickers, or “coyotes,” Fox reports.

“Make no mistake, the federal government is complicit in aiding and abetting human trafficking in the U.S.,” Judd declared. He also linked the issue to the border crisis, citing the rise of fentanyl trafficking as another consequence of lax border security. “Thousands of people are dying from fentanyl, and our leaders’ response is that it killed fewer people this year than last.”

Of those arrested, Judd’s office noted that nine were receiving government assistance, 10 suspects brought illegal drugs like cocaine and marijuana to the meeting locations, and 10 firearms were recovered. In addition, three of the suspects were active-duty military members or veterans, three were employed at Disney World, and several suspects had previously been arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in similar stings.

The oldest suspect in the sting was 61, while the youngest was just 15.