Florida’s 'Operation Skin So Soft': 21 Women Arrested in Massage Parlor Sting

For reasons unknown, a local sheriff insisted on including the phrase "popcorn fart" in a press conference about the arrests.

November 8, 2024

A two-day sting in the Polk County area of Florida has led to the arrests of 21 individuals, all but one on charges related to alleged prostitution.

In a press release, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the undercover operation, which encompassed multiple massage parlor locations, is part of a larger effort to “hold those who break the law accountable.” At a press conference, he elaborated further, revealing that the name given to this sting, "Operation Skin So Soft," was inspired by a compliment given to an undercover law enforcement official.

“We decided on that title because as we were auditing massage parlors, which we normally do for compliance with the law to make sure this sort of thing doesn’t happen, one of these ladies said 'Oh, your skin’s so soft. You must work inside,'" Judd told reporters on Thursday. "Well, sometimes we work in massage parlors."

All told, 22 parlors were audited, with 12 determined to be “not in compliance with the law.” Additionally, these facilities were engaged in alleged prostitution. Those arrested ranged in age from 31 to 64, with one arrestee in particular accused of being “extremely aggressive” when trying to initiate non-massage services. In fact, at least according to Judd, this particular individual “tried to have full sex” with an undercover detective, at one point becoming “extremely aggressive.”

For some reason, Judd felt it necessary to include the phrase “big as a popcorn fart” in his news conference. As of this writing, it’s unclear why, exactly, he would insist on subjecting the general public to such a thing.

“My message is, if you don’t wanna go to jail, don’t do it,” he said toward the end of the presser, seen in the video above. “My message is also to potential customers. … Hey, your picture can be up on the next board too. But it’s a choice.”

Among the misdemeanor charges spread out across the 21 arrestees are offering to commit prostitution, unlicensed massage therapy, resisting arrest, battery, and false imprisonment. While the latter is a third-degree felony, the rest are misdemeanors. Furthermore, only one individual was charged with false imprisonment.