Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers announced Thursday that law enforcement made more than 50 arrests during a four-day operation called Operation Late Checkout that targeted human trafficking and illegal sexual activity in the county. The operation ran from Sept. 13 in Indian River County and resulted in over 60 contacts, more than 50 arrests, and three ICE detainers.
Flowers called the operation unprecedented for Indian River County. He said the county has never had an investigation with this many agencies involved and this many arrests in one shot. FDLE Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alfonso Williams said Operation Late Checkout was initiated by FDLE in coordination with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office and is the first operation of this magnitude conducted in the county.
Agencies involved in the operation included the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Altamonte Springs Police Department, Vero Beach Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Office of Statewide Prosecutor and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Flowers announced the results alongside a representative from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement during a press conference Thursday.
During the operation, several victims were identified, and ongoing investigations are underway. Flowers said there are no specific arrests on human trafficking charges at this time. One case involved a man who traveled to Indian River County to meet a minor. Flowers said the arrest was the result of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force working across agencies to apprehend individuals attempting to lure children online.
Undercover teams were deployed in a variety of capacities during the operation. Victims' advocates trained to work with trafficking victims were also on hand to speak with women involved in prostitution to determine whether they were being trafficked. Williams said the operation focused on identifying human trafficking victims, reducing the demand for prostitution, and apprehending individuals seeking sexual contact with minors.
Flowers said many ongoing investigations continue as a result of the operation. Williams said the operation requires a lot of resources and time, and their work is far from done. FDLE houses the Florida Trafficking Hotline. Anyone who suspects someone is a victim of trafficking can contact the hotline at 1-855-352-7233.