POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff's Office has arrested 154 people in a six-day undercover prostitution sting. 

Sheriff Grady Judd held a press conference Tuesday morning on the "Operation No Spring Fling" investigation.

The charges range from soliciting prostitution, procuring prostitution, traveling to meet a minor for sex, and child pornography. 

As a part of the investigation, detectives sought to identify and aid potential victims of human trafficking.

Fifty four of those arrested are from Polk County, Judd said during the press conference. 

Two of the suspects arrested were traveling to engage in sex with who they believed was a 14-year-old boy, according to the report. 

"The primary goal in operations like this is to find victims of human trafficking who are being manipulated into prostitution. Prostitution is also a public safety issue involving the spread of diseases, the use of and dealing in illegal drugs, and other criminal activity that is associated with prostitution. It should be well-known by now that Polk County is not a good place to be involved with prostitution, thanks to operations such as this," Sheriff Judd said. 

During the investigation, detectives identified two females and a 17-year-old boy as victims of human trafficking. 

The suspects arrested ranged in age between 17 and 69 years old. Of the 154 suspects arrested: 

  • 69 were prostitutes
  • 75 were "johns," or those who solicited to pay for prostitution 
  • 8 others were arrested for related charges, such as deriving proceeds from prostitution
  • 2 were arrested for traveling to meet a minor 
  • 30 are married
  • 8 were on public assistance
  • 5 are in the country illegally

Some of the arrests include: 

  • 34-year-old James Michels of Tampa, Fl
  • 55-year-old old Warren Smith of Riverview, Fl
  • 17-year-old girl from Pinellas County, Fl
  • 25-year-old Antonio Wilson of St. Petersburg, Fl
  • 40-year-old Mahasin Valentine of Lakeland  
  • 28-year-old Pedro Annulysse of Santa Rosa Beach, Fl
  • 30-year-old Camilo Valencia of Lakeland 
  • 38-year-old Robert Miranda of Melbourne, Fl
  • 28-year-old Josefina Powers of Lake Wales 
  • 35-year-old Billy Ray Lemay of Lake Wales
  • 43-year-old Manuel Rivera of Tampa, Fl

Polk County detectives worked with members from the police departments from the cities of Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Haines City.