Firebrand Florida sheriff blasts Biden-Harris open border after human trafficking op nets 25 illegal aliens, Disney employee



Outspoken Florida sheriff Grady Judd blasted the open border of the Biden-Harris administration after a human trafficking crackdown led to the arrests of 25 illegal aliens as well as a Disney employee.

The operation netted 157 arrestees, and Judd — who heads up the Polk County Sheriff's Office — emphasized how the border crisis has substantially exacerbated human trafficking crimes in the United States.

The sheriff's office held a press conference Thursday announcing the results of a multi-agency operation titled "Operation Autumn Sweep."

'When are we going to get tired of this? When have we had enough? When are we going to say, "The hardworking people of the United States are who we need to be taking care of."'

The five-day undercover investigation went after suspects who solicited prostitutes, offered to commit prostitution, and other suspects who committed crimes related to prostitution and other sex crimes.

"Three additional suspects were arrested for soliciting who they thought were children online, and charged with traveling to meet a minor, attempted lewd and lascivious battery on a minor, and use of a computer to seduce a child," the sheriff's office said in a press release,

One of those suspects accused of child sex crimes works at Disney World.

WTVT-TV reported that the Disney World employee was out on bond for the same charges in another state — soliciting a child online.

As a result of the operation, four human trafficking victims were rescued.

According to the sheriff's office, 47 arrestees were prostitutes, 96 were johns, and one was a human trafficker. The oldest suspect was 61, and the youngest was 15. In addition, 26 arrestees were married.

Judd said of those arrested that there were 327 prior felony charges and 400 prior misdemeanor charges.

Judd noted that 25 individuals arrested in the operation were illegal immigrants.

During the press conference, Judd emphasized the border crisis led to these criminal activities in Florida.

Two of the human trafficking victims told sheriff's investigators that they had to pay off coyote debts of $6,000.

Judd pointed out that the human trafficking victims who were in the country illegally had to turn 20 "tricks" a day to pay off the coyote who brought them into the U.S. illegally. The sheriff said the victims were physically abused by their human trafficker to compel them to work as prostitutes.

Judd added that one of the female suspects from Venezuela entered the U.S. in El Paso, Texas, and said she was "greeted by the Border Patrol."

"She simply walked across the open border," the sheriff continued before stressing that "there is no border security at the southern border. Zero. It doesn't exist."

The suspect allegedly said Border Patrol processed her in one day and then told her "all about the benefits" for which she would be eligible, including Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, free housing, free travel to Chicago, and free travel to Florida.

Judd also ripped the Biden-Harris administration over the border crisis: "Make no mistake about it, the government is complicit, and is aiding and abetting human trafficking in the United States."

Judd pointed out that illegal immigrants are receiving federal assistance while Americans suffering from recent hurricanes in Florida and North Carolina are struggling.

"When are we going to get tired of this? When have we had enough? When are we going to say, 'The hardworking people of the United States are who we need to be taking care of?'" Judd asked.

This isn't the first time a Disney employee has been arrested for sex crimes.

As Blaze News previously reported in 2022, a construction subcontractor building a new roller coaster at Walt Disney World in Orlando was arrested in another Polk County Sheriff's Office sex sting.

Another Polk County Sheriff's Office undercover operation resulted in the arrest of a Disney World employee in 2022.

You can watch the full Operation Autumn Sweep press conference below:

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2 illegal aliens arrested in largest fentanyl bust in Florida county's history: 'Didn't come here to better themselves'



Polk County Sheriff's Office in Florida recently announced the "single-largest" fentanyl bust in the county's history, the department revealed in a Friday press conference, WTVT reported.

The sheriff's office launched the investigation into the illicit operation in August after it learned about an organized drug trafficking operation based out of Mexico. The department arrested four individuals in connection with the scheme and seized 14 kilograms of fentanyl, two vehicles, and $5,261 in cash. Two of the suspected criminals, Pedro Rodriguez Correa and Maria Machuca-Alderete, were in the country illegally, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. The other two individuals, Maria Guadalupe-Garcia and Sergio Garcia, were from California.

"It seems like every time I come up here to talk about fentanyl with my colleagues I'm always saying, 'It's the largest fentanyl seizure in the state of Florida' and, once again, that's what I'm saying today with a seizure of 14 kilos of fentanyl," Judd stated Friday morning. "This is the single-largest seizure in the history of Polk County and that's nothing to be proud of."

One of the detained suspects, Guadalupe-Garcia, told deputies that she did not know anything about the narcotics and claimed to be delivering a box of diapers.

"When was the last time you picked up a box of Huggies that weighed 27 pounds? Maria, we don't have any Huggies in the county jail, but we will have you there," Judd said, according to WTVT.

"They didn't come here to better themselves and their family," he continued, referring to the two illegal migrants. "They came here to kill people in America with a deadly drug through a porous border that we need to seal off."

According to Judd, the amount of drugs seized in the bust is enough to kill one-third of Florida's population. He stated that the traffickers expected to be paid $42,500 for the delivery from Mexico to Florida. In total, the 14 kilogram shipment was worth $3.5 million, the office reported.

According to the sheriff's office, Rodriguez-Correa, the driver for the criminal organization, brought a six-year-old boy along for the fentanyl delivery. The Florida Department of Children and Families seized custody of the child.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on Machuca-Alderete and Rodriguez-Correa for being in the country illegally.

Machuca-Alderete was charged with trafficking fentanyl, maintaining a vehicle to traffic illegal drugs, resisting arrest with violence, battery on an officer, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possession of drug paraphernalia, WTVT reported.

Rodriguez-Correa was charged with trafficking fentanyl, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the outlet.

Guadalupe-Garcia and Sergio Garcia were both charged with trafficking fentanyl, maintaining a vehicle to traffic illegal drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A fifth suspect, whose identity has not been released to the public, is still at large and wanted for similar charges.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said during the Friday news conference, "I would submit to you that an appropriate response would not just be, 'We are going to address the cartels with hugs, not violence.' But how about how I have demanded and suggested in that we declare the cartels terrorist organizations and we designate fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction."

"Over the past year, the PCSO seized 30 additional kilograms of fentanyl - about enough to kill all the people in the state of Florida," according to the sheriff's office.


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Florida couple charged with manslaughter after 3-year-old died while 'rotting in the bed,' sheriff: 'I have never, ever seen anything as sad, as bone-chilling, and as sickening'



A Florida couple have been charged with manslaughter after a 3-year-old with severe injuries died earlier in the month, according to police.

Takesha Williams, 24, and Efrem Allen, Jr., 25, have been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a young child. Allen and Williams are being held at the Polk County Jail on $100,000 bond each.

WTSP reported, "Deputies say the couple noticed during the morning of May 12 that the toddler was cold to the touch, his stomach was bloated and his pulse oximeter was malfunctioning, but waited until around 3 p.m. to call 911."

The Bartow Fire Rescue and law enforcement responded to a 911 call regarding a baby in distress, and reportedly found the 3-year-old did not have a pulse. The child was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An emergency room doctor said the unidentified baby had not received proper care for months, according to police. The medical examiner said the 3-year-old had sepsis, bilateral pneumonia, and Stage 5 ulcers.

Law & Crime reported, "In what one Florida sheriff called the worst case he’s ever seen, a couple is accused of letting their comatose 3-year-old boy rot in his bed after authorities discovered his lifeless, ulcerous body with gaping wounds, no rectum, and a hole with intestines, spinal column and colon visible."

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a press conference, "But there appeared to be no life in the child. This child was rotting in the bed."

Judd stated, "They let this baby rot and die in its bed. I've done this for five decades. I have seen thousands of children abused, hundreds of children murdered at the hands of parents. I have never seen the horror that we saw with this poor child at the hands of these two folks."

Authorities suspect that Williams and Allen knew the boy was in abominable shape, but they didn't seek out help because they may have feared that the Florida Department of Children and Families would take their two other young children away. The other children were in good health, according to Judd.

Police said when the deceased boy was only 10 months old, he accidentally fell into a pool at a rental home in Davenport, Florida. He nearly drowned to death, but was left with no brain activity after the pool accident. Doctors allegedly recommended the parents remove the boy from life-sustaining measures because he would forever be in a coma.

The parents reportedly decided to keep the baby on a ventilator and feeding tube. In October, the parents purportedly began to reject health care assistance.

The parents allege that the baby was not neglected.

Judd vowed to send the couple to prison for "as long as we can."

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2 charged with manslaughter after 3-year-old with open sores, severe injuries dies in Bartow www.youtube.com

Woman hits two sheriff's deputies with car in attempt to flee. Turns out suspect has criminal history of violence against law enforcement.



A Florida woman with a criminal history of violence against law enforcement hit two sheriff's deputies with a car Saturday near Lakeland as the deputies opened fire in self-defense.

What are the details?

Deputies from the Polk County sheriff's office responded to a suspicious person call from Max Pay Pawn Shop in the 600 block of North Combee Road in unincorporated Lakeland just before 1 p.m., authorities said.

The suspect — identified as 27-year old Carina Holder of Davenport — was attempting to use a stolen credit card, authorities said.

When the deputies arrived a few minutes later and tried to speak to Holder, she got into a BMW X5 and attempted to flee the scene, authorities said.

In fact, Holder drove directly at the deputies, hitting two of them, authorities said. In fear for their lives and others' lives, deputies opened fire in an attempt to stop the car, authorities said, adding that Holder continued to flee from the scene but was caught and arrested about two miles away.

Neither Deputy Sheriff Melissa Myers nor Deputy Sheriff Hannah Peche were seriously hurt after getting hit, authorities said, adding that the suspect was not injured. Myers and fellow Deputy Sheriff Joshua Chaves opened fire, authorities added.

Holder will be charged with two counts of aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer, armed burglary, and resisting with violence, authorities said, adding that fraud charges also are expected.

What did Sheriff Grady Judd have to say?

Outspoken Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who never seems shy about letting his views be known, said "the suspect has a criminal history of fraud and violence, and that's exactly what was involved here today. Fraudulent activity is how this began, and she elevated it to violence by trying to kill two deputies with her car. Fortunately, she was quickly apprehended, and even more fortunate is that neither one of the deputies were seriously hurt."

Anything else?

Authorities said Holder's criminal history includes Polk County arrests in 2021 for battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting with and without violence.

In March 2022, she was arrested for battery (domestic violence), battery on officer/firefighter, and resisting without violence, authorities added. In September, Holder was arrested and charged with forgery, criminal use of personal ID, grand theft, false statements, false impersonation, fraud to obtain property, uttering a false Instrument, and unlawful use of communications device, authorities said.

Florida sheriff tells homeowners how to handle looters: 'Shoot him so he looks like grated cheese'



A Florida sheriff gave advice to homeowners on how to handle looters in the state: "Shoot him so he looks like grated cheese."

Hurricane Ian ravaged the west coast of Florida last week. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered an unflinching warning to criminals in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Ian: "Don't even think about looting."

"The other thing we’re concerned about, particularly in those areas that were really hard hit, is we want to make sure we’re maintaining law and order," DeSantis explained. "Don’t even think about looting. Don’t even think about taking advantage of people in this vulnerable situation."

"I can tell you, in the state of Florida, you never know what may be lurking behind somebody’s home," DeSantis warned. "I would not want to chance that if I were you, given that we're a Second Amendment state."

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd Grady issued an even more imposing warning to criminals considering looting. During an appearance on "Fox & Friends," Grady commented on the cases of criminals being arrested for looting in the areas obliterated by the Category 4 hurricane.

"People have a right to be safe in their homes. They have a right to their property, to be safe even when part of their home maybe torn away," Judd said on Friday. “And these looters, that’s unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable."

Grady advised Florida homeowners, "I would highly suggest that if a looter breaks into your home, comes into your home while you’re there to steal stuff that you take your gun and you shoot him. You shoot him so he looks like grated cheese because you know what? That’s one looter that will not break into anyone else’s home and take advantage of them when they’re the most vulnerable and the most weak."

Grady said that law enforcement and the community are "all gonna come together" during catastrophes like hurricanes.

"The community is gonna come together, and if there are looters that think they’re gonna take care of these people, they may breaking it, but they should be carried out in a pine box because that is unacceptable, that cuts against all laws and all reality," he exclaimed. "You have a right, and your property has a right to be safe and secure in your home, what’s left of it."

\u201cPolk County Sheriff:\n\n"I would highly suggest that if a looter breaks into your home ... to steal stuff, that you take your gun and you shoot him \u2026 so that he looks like grated cheese."\u201d
— The Post Millennial (@The Post Millennial) 1665170608

This isn't the first time the outspoken sheriff has issued a forceful warning to looters.

During the racial riots of the summer of 2020 sparked by the death of George Floyd, Sheriff Grady sternly warned criminals not to loot in the county east of Tampa.

"Let there be no misunderstanding, if you come here to riot, to loot, to injure people, we're going to lock you up in the county jail," Judd said in June 2020. "We are going to hunt you down and lock you up if you engage in any criminal conduct."

“I would tell them, if you value your life, they probably shouldn’t do that in Polk County. Because the people of Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns, and they’re going to be in their homes tonight with their guns loaded, and if you try to break into their homes to steal, to set fires, I’m highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns. So, leave the community alone,” the sheriff said.

In December 2021, Grady praised a Florida resident who defended his house from a home invasion.

"The homeowner did exactly what he should have," Judd noted of the resident in Lakeland. "He had a gun, he knew how to use it, it was loaded, and he shot him a lot. He gave him an early Christmas present. Only Santa Claus gets to come in your house — and Santa Claus is invited."

Florida sheriff debunks theory pushed by gun control advocates after Uvalde, warns active shooters what will happen to them



Florida Sheriff Grady Judd, the top cop in Polk County, pushed back on Tuesday against those who claim the Uvalde massacre proves more armed personnel on school grounds do not thwart active shooters.

What is the claim?

Proponents of gun control have seized on the Uvalde atrocity to advance their opposition to arming teachers and beefing up security personnel at schools.

In the case of Uvalde, the killer was inside the school for more than one hour before police killed him. The school had a resource officer (who was not present at the school when the killer first attacked), and dozens of law enforcement personnel stood outside the school while the gunman was inside on his killing rampage.

MSNBC columnist Zeeshan Aleem, for example, argued that because police officers failed to stop the killer before he murdered nearly two dozen people, teachers definitively could not have stopped him.

How could we expect a teacher — whose job it is to educate children, not protect them from highly motivated armed murderers — to handle the job more effectively in a moment of shocking chaos and terror? At best, supplying a teacher with a gun to confront a shooter is a mandate to have them sacrifice themselves while likely doing little to stop the attack; at worst, the teacher could accidentally harm or kill children, or even be mistaken for the shooter by responding officers.

What did Judd say?

Speaking on Fox News, Judd bashed the idea and MSNBC's advancement of the theory.

"MSNBC doesn’t know so much about what they’re talking about, but that’s not unusual. If they did, they could create the training program, and we’d never have another active shooter," Judd said.

"But at the end of the day, as simple as it may sound, the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," he added. "There needs to be multiple people on that campus in advance, well trained, who are prepared to and can go in and stop the threat. And why those 19 police officers did [not do] that, I don't know."

Earlier in the interview, Judd made it clear how he trains his officers to deal with active shooters.

"At the end of the day we know that shootings, these active shooters, are done between zero and 5 minutes," he explained. "The police response is plus five minutes. We also know that active shooters don’t get to change it to a barricade situation.

"When you go in shooting, even though you pause, it doesn’t mean there aren’t injured children or people lying there. Once an active shooter, always an active shooter," he continued. "Push in, save lives, neutralize the threat. We train for that. We expect that.

"I can tell you this: I want them to shoot them, shoot them so much that you can read the local newspaper through them," Judd added bluntly. "Neutralize the threat."

The long-term solution to preventing mass killings at schools, Judd later said, is to "find people long before they show up on the campus." He said communities must work together and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.

"If you see something, you hear something, you say something," he said.


Florida sheriff 'proud' of homeowner for defending himself after intruder breaks in: 'He had a gun, he knew how to use it, it was loaded, and he shot him a lot'



There was no mistaking where Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stood in regard to guns and self-defense following a home invasion Wednesday afternoon in north Lakeland, Florida, which culminated in the homeowner shooting the intruder.

“The homeowner did exactly what he should have," Judd said, according to WFLA-TV. "He had a gun, he knew how to use it, it was loaded, and he shot him a lot. He gave him an early Christmas present. Only Santa Claus gets to come in your house — and Santa Claus is invited.”

What are the details?

The homeowner told deputies the intruder threw a flower pot through glass French doors to get inside the home from the back porch — after which the homeowner shot the intruder three times, the station said.

Deputies said that upon their arrival, the homeowner handed them the gun and directed them to the intruder, who was lying on the living room floor, WESH-TV reported.

“I’m proud of our homeowner for defending himself," Judd added to WFLA. "It’s called a ‘Castle Doctrine.’ He has the right to protect himself and his home from unknown intruders."

'He's lucky to be alive'

Steven Stillwell, 42, was rushed to a hospital, where he was listed in critical but stable condition, WFLA reported.

"He's lucky to be alive," Judd told WTVT-TV, adding that the break-in occurred around 1:00 p.m.

Image source: WFLA-TV video screenshot

What's more, deputies told WFLA that Stillwell was seen on surveillance video running into the back yard and standing on the porch, that evidence showed Stillwell was shot inside the home, and that someone had broken the glass to enter the residence.

In addition, investigators told WESH a shotgun belonging to Stillwell was found in the homeowner’s back yard.

The homeowner’s firearm was legal, deputies added to WFLA. The homeowner, who lives near Gibsonia-Galloway Road, does not know Stillwell, WESH reported.

'A person's home is his refuge'

The sheriff’s office considers the homeowner to be the victim in this case even though he shot the intruder; therefore, the homeowner's name is not being released, WFLA said.

"The castle doctrine is very clear in Florida law," Judd added to WESH. "A person's home is his refuge."

The homeowner’s attorney confirmed his client lives with his wife and young child but was home alone at the time of the shooting, WFLA added.

Charges are pending against Stillwell, WESH reported, adding that sheriff's office officials said he has an extensive criminal history that includes 14 felonies.

'I tell folks to get a gun'

Judd emphasized the importance of protecting yourself since police can't be everywhere at once.

"I tell folks to get a gun, learn how to use it safely, and load it," he told WESH. "You can dial 911 all day long, but when that guy's coming through the back door on you, we can't get there in time."