Three Disney employees, a school athletic director and a father who left his 1-year-old home alone to have sex are among 219 people arrested in a massive human trafficking ring in Florida, authorities said Thursday.
A seven-day undercover operation earlier this month led to 44 felony and 242 misdemeanor charges against dozens of suspects – 35 of whom are suspected of being in the country illegally, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a news conference.
In all, 83 suspects were charged with soliciting prostitution or going to an undercover location to negotiate sex in exchange for money, the sheriff said.
Freddy Escalona, 30, and Maria Guzman 36, were charged with the worst of human trafficking because of the “Traffic Stop 2 Operation” that began September 19.
Another 17 suspects were charged with collecting money from prostitution or helping prostitutes run a business.
Caught in the sting were three Disney employees, including a security guard, custodian and training coordinator, Judd said.
“What’s going to happen if we don’t catch someone who works at Disney,” Judd quipped.
Coach and teacher Russell Rogers was arrested. Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Vanguard School athletic director Russell Rogers, who is also an Auburndale High School REAL Academy teacher in the district, was arrested for allegedly soliciting prostitutes.
The married father of three is also a former youth football coach, Judd said.
“This man is currently training in the county jail,” he said. “I can’t believe we want someone like this around our kids.”
Polk County Schools told Fox 13 they were disappointed to learn of the allegations against Rogers and are moving to fire him.
“Part of being an educator is understanding that you are held to a higher standard for your actions in the classroom, as well as the community,” the school system said in a statement. “These charges do not involve students, and Rogers is not on duty as a teacher, but this type of behavior still has no place in our school system.”
Maria Guzman was charged with human trafficking. Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Among the more shocking allegations in the case was a father who left his 1-year-old daughter to have sex, but allegedly insisted to investigators that the baby was being watched by the family’s dog, Judd said.
Another man brought his 15-year-old daughter he shared with his ex-wife to the area for her birthday, but instead left her in a motel room to have sex elsewhere, he said.
“For his birthday, we held his dad back,” Judd said. “And put him in jail.”
Two women also dragged a 14-month-old child with them when they went to have sex, Judd alleged. While one woman is busy, another woman watches the child.
Freddy Escalona also faces serious charges. Polk County Sheriff’s Office
And several high-level executives at the California-based company have also been arrested.
One complained to a sheriff’s deputy when he was arrested, Judd said.
“It’s not illegal to cheat on your wife,” Judd said the man whined.
“So he came all the way from California to cheat on his wife but he paid money to cheat on his wife. It’s called prostitution.”
At least 21 possible victims of human trafficking have been identified out of 119 alleged prostitutes who have been arrested, the sheriff’s office said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
