Prostitutes Winter Haven

Operation March Sadness Crackdown

Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced a record 228 suspects arrested in Operation March Sadness, a major human trafficking and prostitution sting. This operation targeted illicit activities across Central Florida, particularly in Winter Haven. Detectives conducted undercover operations at various locations, including Asian massage parlors in Lakeland, Dundee, Davenport, and Winter Haven.

Arrests and Offender Profiles

The sting resulted in 21 arrests at 12 different spas for prostitution-related offenses. Vice units remain busy, with another operation netting 154 arrests on sex-related charges earlier in the year. Those arrested included individuals soliciting prostitution and offering to commit prostitution. Notably, the suspects came from diverse backgrounds, including a Disney worker, teachers, and licensed massage therapists.

Legal Consequences and Ongoing Operations

Florida imposes strict penalties; solicitation carries a mandatory $5,000 fine. Both soliciting and committing prostitution are illegal in the state. Authorities also focus on human trafficking connections. Similar multi-agency stings, like Operation Traffic Stop 2, have led to hundreds of arrests, including professionals like doctors and cops. Winter Haven has been a repeated focus for law enforcement. A Winter Haven police officer was even arrested previously for soliciting prostitutes during a joint investigation.

*TAGS* – massage parlor solicitation, undercover vice operations, prostitution sting penalties