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80 arrested in Polk Co. online prostitution sting

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Eighty people were arrested in Polk County during an undercover prostitution sting operation, Sheriff Grady Judd said Monday.

From Dec. 12 through Dec. 15, undercover Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives conducted an online vice operation, targeting online prostitution.

Judd said the operation, called Naughty, not Nice, was intended to help stop human trafficking.

The Sheriff's Office detectives said the arrests include a 16-year-old girl, who detectives believe is the victim of human trafficking, and a 20-year-old man who drove her to the location for sex.

Also among those arrested was Florida Department of Corrections probation officer Justin Bachand, 32, of Lakeland.

Investigators said Altamonte Springs attorney Richard Sierra, 47, was also arrested in the operation.

"He's married. (I) wonder what his wife would think about that," said Judd.

Deputies said Mark Graffath, who was arrested by the same undercover agent previously, was was arrested again.

Christopher Havlicek, a managing director for JP Morgan Chase, in Palm Beach gardens was among those arrested in the operation, deputies said.

The 80 suspects were charged with crimes ranging from soliciting for prostitution, soliciting another to commit a lewd act, deriving support/proceeds from prostitution and aiding/abetting prostitution.

"We brought cheer to our face and I'm not so sure how cheerful they are," said Judd.