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SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A one-week undercover investigation targeting people accused of trying to meet minors for sex ended with 19 arrests, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
Judd said Operation Child Protector VIII ran from April 20 through April 26 and involved multiple law enforcement agencies. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 16 suspects were charged with traveling to meet a minor for sex, while three others were charged with human trafficking for allegedly offering to pay to have sex with a child.
Officials said undercover detectives posed online as minors or as adults with access to children. Investigators said suspects then traveled to meeting locations in Polk County, believing they were going to meet children for sex.
Among the suspects discussed during Tuesday’s news conference was Tom Hicks, 68, whom Judd described as a for-hire Santa performer known in Polk County and Central Florida.
Judd said Hicks worked in marketing for Tri-County, which he described as a mental health and addiction services organization, and had presented himself as a preacher for 40 years. Judd said investigators have not identified a specific church affiliation for Hicks.
According to Judd, Hicks allegedly responded to an online ad and believed he was communicating with the father of a 13-year-old girl. Judd said Hicks allegedly offered $200 for an hour of sex with the child.
Authorities have not publicly alleged in the briefing that any real child was involved in the undercover exchange.
Judd also highlighted several other suspects during the briefing, including men from Spring Hill, Riviera Beach and Orlando. He described allegations that included bringing food to a planned meeting, renting a motel room and buying condoms before an arranged encounter with someone believed to be a child.
State Attorney Brian Haas said prosecutors were prepared to move forward with the cases and credited detectives with building cases designed to withstand common legal defenses.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, whose office participated through the Department of Financial Services’ Criminal Investigations Division, said online child exploitation remains a serious and persistent threat. He urged parents to closely monitor children’s phone and social media use.
Auburndale Police Chief Terry Storie delivered a similar message. He said parents should stay involved in children’s online activity and not assume privacy settings or personal devices alone will keep them safe.
Judd also said a related human trafficking investigation resulted in additional arrests, bringing the combined total from both operations to 266. He said more details were expected at a separate Friday news conference.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the 19 suspects in Operation Child Protector VIII collectively face 85 felonies and eight misdemeanors.