Polk County arrest 4 West Orange residents among 277 in online prostitution sting

POLK COUNTY – Undercover detectives from multiple law-enforcement agencies in Polk County arrested 277 people during an investigation targeting online prostitution and human trafficking on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Of the 277 individuals arrested, 209 were arrested for soliciting a prostitute, including four juveniles ranging in age from 16 to 17 years old.

Among the 209 charged with soliciting prostitution services are three men from the West Orange area: Julio Escobar, 28, from Winter Garden; Daniel Johnson, 28, from Winter Garden, and Willett Tyler, 32, from Ocoee.

During the weeklong investigation – titled  ‘Operation No Tricks, No Treats’ – undercover detectives posed as prostitutes and individuals in search of prostitutes in fake online ads posted on various social media platforms, websites and mobile apps.

"We are committed to fighting human trafficking, by arresting those who engage in prostitution and trying to identify human trafficking victims,” stated Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd in a press release. “ It's no secret –you need to stay out of Polk County if you're going to commit crime."

The operation also led to 51 arrests of suspects charged with offering to commit prostitution, including Arlene Mukesh, 20, from Winter Garden. Five of the 51 arrested are suspected of being possible human trafficking victims, including a 21-year-old black female from Ocoee.

Seventeen out of the 277 total suspects were arrested for human trafficking, transporting for prostitution, deriving proceeds from prostitution, aiding and abetting prostitution, lewd battery, traveling to meet a child, use of a computer to seduce a child, and possession of drugs and/or drug paraphernalia.

According to a press release, those arrested face a total of 334 charges – 36 felony charges and 298 misdemeanors. Those arrested already had a combined prior history of 897 charges – 371 felony charges and 526 misdemeanors.