An ex-NFL player was arrested in huge multi-agency human trafficking sting in Florida this month.
Ex-NFL player busted in sex crime operation
The sting, dubbed “Operation Fool Around and Find Out,” aimed to crack down on sex crimes and identify potential victims of trafficking.
Law enforcement officers from Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and multiple Florida sheriff’s offices—Polk, Osceola, and Lake Counties—carried out the undercover operation from May 2 to May 10.
Among the 250 people taken into custody was Adarius Taylor, a former NFL linebacker who played for the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Cleveland Browns during his six-year professional career.
Authorities allege that Taylor was caught on May 8 discussing sexual activity with an undercover officer who was posing as a sex worker. The exchange was reportedly captured on video.
Police say the situation escalated when it was discovered that Taylor had left his 6-year-old child in a car unattended while engaging with the decoy officer.
Following his arrest, ex-NFL player was charged with felony negligent child abuse without physical harm and misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution.
“Obviously he must have hit one too many people as a linebacker, because his brain cells are scrambled,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd commented.
Following Taylor’s arrest, the Florida Department of Children and Families took immediate custody of the child.
Ex-NFL player among 250 others arrested in undercover operation
Across the full span of the operation, 141 people were charged with attempting to buy sex, while 93 others were accused of offering sexual services.
Ten additional suspects face charges such as aiding prostitution or transporting sex workers.
Eleven others were arrested in connection to child sex offenses, including traveling to engage in sexual activity with a minor.
Investigators also identified four potential human trafficking victims during the operation.
Authorities reported that 36 of the people apprehended were found to be in the country illegally.
Sheriff Judd noted that federal and local cooperation had played a significant role in the sting’s success, especially pointing to new working conditions between ICE and his department.
“There’s been a change of administration … and now we are allowed to have ICE with us,” Judd stated.
“I can’t say enough good about ICE … they are hand in glove with us every day. They have a mission from the president of the United States.”
He then issued a warning to others potentially involved in similar illegal activities: “A word to the wise,” Judd said. “There’ll be another one.”
Pair of mother’s leave children in the car while bar hopping
In a separate case out of Arizona, two women were taken into custody after authorities allege they left four children alone in a vehicle while they went drinking at a bar nearby.
The Glendale Police Department, which released bodycam footage of the incident, said the event took place back on March 8 in the Westgate Entertainment District.
Police were first contacted around 11 p.m. by bystanders who noticed a small child running unsupervised in the parking lot.
Upon further investigation, witnesses located three additional children inside a car that was close by.
“We found her going up and down here,” one of the witnesses told police in the video. “She took us to the car.”
Officers began speaking with the children and scanning the surrounding businesses in an effort to locate the guardians.
After roughly 45 minutes, two women approached the scene and informed officers that they were the children’s mothers.
“Hey, your kids have been here for hours,” an officer told one of the women in the footage.
“Hours?” she replied, clearly surprised.
One of the women claimed she had been using the restroom, and both said they had only been away from the vehicle for about 10 to 15 minutes.
“That’s a lie,” an officer responded. “We’ve been standing with these kids for over 45 minutes by themselves.”
“Like… I thought we were going in and out,” one woman told an officer. “I’m sorry, I didn’t have my phone on me.”
According to officers, both mothers showed signs of alcohol consumption, including slurred speech and the smell of alcohol. The women allegedly admitted to drinking at a local bar.
A search of the vehicle revealed a bag of marijuana located in the glove compartment, which could have easily been accessed by the children.
“Seriously?” the officer said quietly after discovering the substance.
Police noted that some of the children were only three or four years old, while the others were in car seats.
Both women were arrested and charged with child abuse due to criminal negligence.
Glendale firefighters transported the children to a local hospital for medical evaluation.
However, instead of facing prosecution, the two mothers opted to participate in a felony diversion program aimed at improving parenting skills, according to a report by 12 News.
“We’re thankful to the Good Samaritans who stepped in and did the right thing,” Glendale police stated.
“It’s a strong reminder: leaving kids alone—especially while under the influence—is not only irresponsible, it’s illegal.”
