(ProsperNews.net) – Florida authorities have arrested 25 illegal immigrants in a human trafficking sting, part of a broader operation that saw 157 people apprehended. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced during a news conference that the arrests stemmed from “Operation Autumn Sweep,” an undercover anti-human trafficking initiative carried out from October 2 to October 7. Among those arrested were immigrants from Venezuela, Colombia, Honduras, Cuba, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Sheriff Judd criticized the Biden-Harris administration, blaming federal border policies for facilitating illegal entry and human trafficking. He noted that 16% of the total arrests were individuals who, according to Judd, “should not even have been in this country.” He expressed frustration over what he described as lax border security, claiming it has allowed criminals and traffickers to enter and operate within the U.S.
Judd shared the story of one woman who traveled from Venezuela to Mexico and then crossed into Texas without any resistance. According to her account, she was “greeted by Border Patrol” and provided with housing, travel, and other benefits.
Additionally, Judd highlighted the case of a man arrested during the operation, Travis Hutchinson, who had trafficked two women from Colombia and Venezuela into Florida after they had been illegally brought into the country by a coyote. He reiterated his stance that the federal government is “complicit” in enabling human trafficking due to its border policies.
The operation, which involved multiple local law enforcement agencies, was cut short due to Hurricane Milton. However, Judd made clear his department’s commitment to tackling human trafficking, which he believes is exacerbated by current federal policies.
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