Polk County detectives arrest 103 suspects in prostitution, trafficking bust

WINTER HAVEN (FOX 13) - The Polk County sheriff’s latest prostitution sting netted 103 arrests.  Sheriff Grady Judd made the announcement during an afternoon press conference Monday. 

True to form, he had a prepared line for several of the suspects. 

“This dude was excited to get there he was still wearing his hospital scrubs when we arrived,” he said of one of the men, an alleged john.

The six-day operation focused heavily on online and social media ads. Of the 103 arrests made, 54 were alleged prostitutes, 29 were alleged johns, 13 were alleged pimps and seven face drugs and other charges. 

Among the most serious arrests is 27-year-old Anthony Camacho, accused of human trafficking. 

“He brought a 17-year-old child to the operation to prostitute her,” Sheriff Judd said. 

That 17-year-old is said to be a runaway from Virginia.  If convicted, Camacho, who has a violent past that includes attempted murder, will face up to 30 years in prison. 

“Our victim of human trafficking referred to him as King…we threw a bunch of aces at King now he's in the county jail,” Judd said. 

Other notable arrests include Edwin Lopez of Kissimmee, who allegedly wanted to have sex with a 14-year-old girl, and William Welch, whom the sheriff says also planned on having sex with an underage teen girl.  Welch remains at large; there is a warrant out for his arrest.