13 Polk County men were arrested and face more than 2,300 combined felonies reported to child porn, Sheriff Grady Judd announced Tuesday.
The arrests came as part of "Operation Guardians of Innocence VI."
The month-long investigation yielded arrests from people as young as 20 and old as 47.
Polk Sheriff's Office says the child pornography included thousands of photos and videos depicting babies, toddlers, and children being forced to engage in sex acts.
“We are committed to protecting our children from those who possess and distribute child pornography," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "The men arrested in this operation create a market for these kinds of horrific images that are dependent upon the continued sexual abuse and rape of babies and children worldwide. Each time these images and videos are uploaded and shared these children are victimized again and again. I appreciate the hard work our detectives did that was necessary to file these charges."
At the time of arrest, detectives seized all known electronic communications devices belonging to the suspects, with forensic searches of those devices to follow, PCSO says. Those searches could turn up additional images and/or videos depicting child pornography, and the suspects would be additionally charged as needed. Attempts are also being made to identify the children in various images and videos.
