Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, known for his tough stance on crime and successful human trafficking sting operations, will be the keynote speaker at the 2024 Human Trafficking Summit, Attorney General Ashley Moody announced today.
Sheriff Judd has been Polk County’s sheriff for nearly two decades and has led several operations that have dismantled human trafficking rings and rescued victims. In just one year, Sheriff Judd’s efforts resulted in the rescue of 58 human trafficking victims.
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Attorney General Ashley Moody expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I am honored to announce my friend Sheriff Grady Judd as this year’s Human Trafficking Summit keynote speaker. Sheriff Judd is widely recognized for his relentless fight against crime, and he remains a dedicated ally in our mission to eradicate human trafficking. Summit attendees will greatly benefit from hearing insights from one of the nation’s top law enforcement leaders.”
Sheriff Judd shared his excitement about participating in the summit, saying, “This summit is a valuable opportunity to highlight the tremendous work being done in Florida to combat human trafficking, protect victims, and ensure traffickers are held accountable. By learning from the experts and adopting successful practices, we can continue to make Florida a zero-tolerance state for human trafficking.”
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In March, Sheriff Judd led Operation March Sadness 2024, an eight-day multi-agency undercover investigation in Polk County that resulted in 228 arrests and the identification of 13 victims. His commitment to combating human trafficking also saw him participate in a roundtable discussion with Attorney General Moody and other Florida leaders in 2023.
The 2024 Human Trafficking Summit will kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 1, bringing together key stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, survivors, victim service providers, and advocates to collaborate and enhance efforts to combat human trafficking.
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