7-Year NFL Veteran Arrested in Human-Trafficking Sting Operation
Former NFL Linebacker Adarius Taylor Among 255 Arrested
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests following Operation Fool Around and Find Out, a large-scale, multi-agency sting conducted from May 2 to May 10. The effort included support from local Florida law enforcement as well as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.
- Adarius Taylor, a 7-year NFL veteran, was arrested in a Florida human-trafficking sting called Operation Fool Around and Find Out.
- Taylor is charged with felony negligent child abuse and misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution.
- He allegedly brought his 6-year-old child to the scene and left them in the car during the sting.
- 255 people were arrested in total, including 11 suspected child predators.
former NFL linebacker with seven seasons under his belt has found himself at the center of a massive human-trafficking sting that resulted in more than 250 arrests. Adarius Taylor, who played for the Buccaneers, Panthers, and Browns, is facing felony and misdemeanor charges — and the disturbing details of his arrest are making national headlines.
“The Highest Number of Suspects We’ve Ever Arrested”
The scope of the operation was staggering. A total of 255 individuals were arrested:
- 141 for soliciting prostitutes
- 93 for offering to commit prostitution
- 10 for aiding and abetting prostitution
- 11 for child sex crimes, including soliciting what they believed to be minors online
Arrestees came from across the United States and even abroad — including undocumented individuals from as far away as Brazil. American arrests included individuals from 13 different states, spanning from Florida to New Jersey.
Taylor’s Football Career Included $6.5 Million in Earnings
Taylor’s arrest comes years after his last NFL game. He earned over $6.5 million in career earnings and played his best season in 2018, recording 60 tackles with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
His pro career also included:
- Time with the Carolina Panthers
- A stint with the Cleveland Browns
- A short-lived comeback attempt with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders in 2023
Despite the money, fame, and platform, Taylor is now facing a legal battle that could define the rest of his life.
The Bottom Line
Adarius Taylor’s arrest is another reminder that fame and fortune don’t always insulate people from making damaging — and dangerous — choices. With child endangerment and solicitation charges hanging over him, Taylor’s fall from NFL linebacker to criminal suspect is both rapid and alarming.
While the NFL has distanced itself from former players facing legal trouble, Taylor’s name will now forever be tied to one of the largest human-trafficking stings in U.S. history.
