“Operation Summer Shield” Leads to 148 Arrests and Rescues 7 Victims in Florida Human Trafficking Sting
Florida law enforcement officials have made a significant impact in the fight against human trafficking with the recent arrest of 148 individuals and the rescue of seven victims during a sting operation called “Operation Summer Shield.”
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced the results of the operation during a press conference, emphasizing the importance of preventing children from becoming victims of human trafficking, especially during the summer months when they are out of school and spending more time online.
The operation, which lasted 102 days from April 29 to the Friday before school started, aimed to be proactive in combating human trafficking and ensuring the safety of children in the community.
Chronister revealed that the first day of the operation broke records for the number of individuals attempting to purchase sex, with the numbers increasing significantly on the second day. In total, 148 arrests were made for various crimes, including 11 suspects charged with human trafficking.
Among the highlighted arrests was 33-year-old John Randall Craddock, who was caught sending explicit messages to an undercover detective posing as a 15-year-old girl. Another suspect, 28-year-old Devante Kershaw, was arrested after attempting to groom an undercover detective for nearly a month.
Additionally, 39-year-old Dontae Burton was arrested for forcing a 17-year-old girl into prostitution, while 35-year-old Dennis Jose Aguilar-Maroto was apprehended for paying a teenager for sex acts.
Sheriff Chronister emphasized the commitment of his office to protecting the community and holding traffickers accountable, stating that they will continue their efforts until every victim is safe and every trafficker is behind bars.
“Operation Summer Shield” serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against human trafficking and the dedication of law enforcement to safeguard vulnerable individuals in society.
