POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Dozens of suspects were arrested in a four-day major crackdown on human trafficking in Polk County.
Detectives said not only did they arrest prostitutes, pimps and Johns, but they were able to rescue two human trafficking victims in the sting as well.
Polk County detectives said Adrian Hernandez, 26, showed up to a hotel room wanting to barter with what he thought was a prostitute, handing the undercover agent a winning scratch off ticket and wanting sex in return.
"I didn't change the ticket. You're going to have to change it," he told the undercover agent.
"Change what?" the agent asked.
"A scratch off," said the suspect.
Sheriff Grady Judd said detectives arrested Hernandez and 60 others during an undercover sting.
"Go onto social media, you look for advertisements or you go on an undercover capacity and post advertisements," Judd said of the sting.
The suspects ranged from as young as 18 to nearly 70 years old and included a retired Baltimore police officer. Some suspects even admitted to detectives they are married, authorities said.
"We think this is a terrible example, but if you violate the law, we put you in jail regardless of who you are," said Judd.