Eighteen people were arrested following a three-day undercover operation targeting human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Leon County, Florida, authorities announced on Tuesday. Officials said the effort drew renewed attention to Florida's "Missy's Law," which targets the demand side of sex trafficking.
The Leon County Sheriff's Office launched Operation Cupid's Clean Up in early February, deploying its Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit—known as the HEAT Unit—alongside local, state, and federal partners to identify victims and pursue those profiting from exploitation.
"This operation sends a clear message that human trafficking and exploitation will not be tolerated in our community," Sheriff Walt McNeil said in a statement. "Our HEAT unit remains committed to identifying victims, providing critical resources and holding offenders accountable."
McNeil appealed directly to the public at the April 1 briefing, urging community members to stay informed and engaged. "We can't do this alone," he said, adding that getting the message out to citizens about the severity of exploitation in the community remains essential to driving out those who prey on vulnerable people.
Detectives made more than 150 online contacts with individuals responding to undercover advertisements and conducted multiple in-person contacts during the operation. Investigators also reached out to individuals previously flagged in prior investigations as potential victims.
Buell emphasized that arrests were not the primary goal. "At the center of this operation was a victim-centered approach," she said at the briefing. Advocacy services were extended to every person encountered, and several victims accepted assistance—including placement in safe housing—while others were connected to resources for future support.
Buell said the operation's impact extends well beyond the initial arrest count. "We also established probable cause in additional cases that remain part of ongoing investigations," she said at the briefing, noting that cases stemming from such operations can take months or even years to fully develop.
"Demand fuels exploitation," she said. "When individuals seek to purchase sex, particularly from someone they believe is a child, they create the market that traffickers rely on."
The operation was conducted in partnership with the Tallahassee Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and Homeland Security Investigations.
"The Tallahassee Police Department's priority is prioritizing the most vulnerable and holding those who seek to exploit them accountable," said Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell.
"By working side-by-side with our partners, including the Leon County Sheriff's Office, we are able to effectively leverage our collective resources and expertise to protect those most at risk and ensure those responsible are held accountable," said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno.
The Protecting Children's Innocence Task Force also supported the operation by providing resources to help law enforcement identify victims and build prosecutable cases.