Content Advisory: This article discusses prostitution sting arrests, human trafficking enforcement, and child sexual exploitation allegations. Reader discretion is advised.
A pro-Trump social media influencer was among more than 200 people arrested in a major prostitution sting in Polk County, Florida, authorities said.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrests during a Friday news conference, where he highlighted several suspects from the operation. Among them was Craig Long II, a 41-year-old Tampa man who owns a fitness company and has built a large online following.
Long has more than half a million followers on TikTok, where he posts political commentary, reaction videos, and content about his past criminal history. He also presents himself as strongly pro-law enforcement.
That detail did not go unnoticed by Judd. “We like the fact that he likes the cops,” Judd said. “He likes them so much that he got caught up in a sting and got to be real close with the cops.”
Sheriff Mocks MAGA Influencer After Arrest
On X, Long describes himself as “MAGA to the core,” referencing Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. His pinned post shows him posing with Trump and Donald Trump Jr. at a UFC event in April.
According to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Long, who is married, allegedly contacted an undercover detective posing as an adult services provider online.
Authorities say he arranged to meet and offered $100 for “something quick.” Long was arrested after arriving at an undercover location in Bartow and allegedly handing money to the detective. He was charged with soliciting a prostitute. “Well, there you go. You got arrested in a human trafficking sting,” Judd said. “Influence that for a while.” Long’s attorney has entered a not guilty plea.
The prostitution sting was not the only part of the operation. Earlier in the week, the sheriff’s office announced 19 additional arrests tied to alleged child sexual exploitation crimes. One suspect reportedly played Santa during Christmas events in Polk County and was accused of trying to meet a minor for adult activity. The operation has drawn attention not only because of the number of arrests, but because of the public profiles of some suspects.
A Jan. 6 Defendant Also Arrested
Judd also highlighted the arrest of Ryan Yates of Odessa. According to the sheriff’s office, Yates was caught on camera entering an undercover hotel room, speaking with the undercover detective, and removing his clothes.
Yates was previously sentenced to six months in prison for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. He was later pardoned by Trump.
Judd made it clear that the pardon would not help him in Polk County. “Well, we’re not giving him a blanket pardon,” Judd said. “He got away with it in the federal system, but not here.”
The case now adds another strange political layer to an already large Florida sting: a MAGA influencer, a pardoned Jan. 6 defendant, and more than 200 arrests in one sheriff’s office operation.
