Human Trafficking Sting Yields 6 New Arrests: Manatee County Sheriff

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — An undercover human trafficking sting dubbed Operation Refuge led to the arrests of six men trying to meet minors for sex, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

The men were arrested Thursday and Friday by detectives conducting simultaneous undercover operations focused on combating human trafficking and targeted people responding to online advertisements for sex with minors.

During the operation, 189 people responded to the ads on adult websites and knowingly inquired about meeting minors for sex, the sheriff’s office said. The ages of the girls, all under 15, were told to all 189 people, who continued to engage in conversation with undercover deputies chatting with them.

Of those who inquired, six men made arrangements to meet up with a minor and were arrested after money was exchanged, the agency said.