Officials said 19 suspects were arrested for traveling to meet minors, while 247 others were arrested for prostitution-related crimes
MAGA influencer Craig Long, 44, has been arrested in Polk County as part of a major human trafficking and child exploitation sting that led to 266 arrests.
The political influencer was one of hundreds of people detained during a Polk County, Florida operation called “Polk Around & Find Out.” The sting was aimed at people accused of trying to exploit minors, as well as others accused of soliciting prostitution.
Officials said two of the men arrested allegedly brought children with them to the illegal meetups. The size of the operation has drawn attention as law enforcement begins sharing more details about those taken into custody.
Long, who owns Craig Long Fitness in Tampa, became one of the more high-profile names connected to the case. Before the arrests, which were made on Friday, May 1, he had posted several clips online praising Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and law enforcement.
During a press conference after the crackdown, Sheriff Judd showed photos of Long with President Trump and Donald Trump Jr. He also displayed images showing Long with other well-known Republicans.
The contrast between Long’s public support for law enforcement and his arrest in the sting became a major talking point during the sheriff’s remarks.
“He’s an influencer. He also owns Craig Long Fitness in Tampa. He was seeking the services of a prostitute,” Sheriff Judd stated.
The Sheriff’s Office said Long kept a positive attitude toward law enforcement during his arrest. Officials said he continued to show appreciation for officers even after being caught up in the operation.
The county law enforcement officer added: “Now, we’d like to see people who make mistakes early in life – and he had a long history – straightened up.”
“We like the fact that he likes the cops. Heck, he liked them so much, he got caught up in a sting and got to be rubbing up and real close with the cops.”
The operation was not limited to Polk County, or even to Florida. According to officials, the arrests involved suspects from 18 different countries and 11 different states.
That wide reach was part of what made the sting stand out. Authorities said the operation brought together cases involving alleged prostitution-related crimes, child exploitation attempts, and possible trafficking victims.
Long has built up a large following online.@craiglong45/TikTok
The youngest person detained was 18, while the oldest was 68. Officials said the wide age range showed how broad the operation was.
Long was also involved with the January 6 Capitol riot in 2021. That day led to widespread violence, multiple deaths, and hundreds of arrests after supporters of President Trump entered the US Capitol.
Another person who took part in the Capitol riot, Ryan Yates, 40, was also arrested as part of the same Polk County investigation.
Yates received a six-month prison sentence after the Capitol attack. He was later released from federal prison in January 2025, when President Trump signed blanket pardons on his first day back in office.
Both Yates and Long now face charges of soliciting another for prostitution. The charges are separate from their past involvement in the January 6 events.
Long describes himself as “MAGA to the core” on his X profile. He also has a large online following, with more than 500,000 followers on TikTok and 80,000 subscribers on YouTube.
During the investigation, officials said seven possible human trafficking victims were identified. That part of the case remains one of the most serious elements of the wider sting.
Authorities said the operation was designed not only to arrest suspects, but also to find people who may have been exploited. Those possible victims are expected to be handled through support services as the case moves forward.
The arrests have put fresh attention on Polk County’s anti-trafficking operations, as well as the public figures caught up in them. More information about the defendants and the charges is expected to emerge as the legal process continues.