This morning, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a press conference highlighting the results of a local prostitution sting. The operation, which wielded 266 arrests, mostly involved adults seeking consensual sex with other adults, including prominent local MAGA influencer Craig Long.
Judd started the press conference thanking the multiple departments and individuals that assisted with the operation, and proceeded to run through a list of the more prominent arrests, like convicted Jan. 6 insurrectionist Ryan Yates, who was pardoned by President Donald Trump, and Tampa-based LA Fitness owner and MAGA YouTube personality Craig Long.
“Then there’s Craig Long we arrested,” said Judd. “He was seeking the services of a prostitute. Did I tell you that he’s married, that he’s got 125K followers on Instagram, 568K followers on TikTok? Well, I’m going to give him some content for social media today.”
According to PCSO, on April 22, Long reached out online to an undercover detective, who was posing as a sex worker. The 41-year-old then arranged to meet with her in Bartow, where he offered her $100 for “something quick.”
Long was then arrested and charged with one count of soliciting a prostitute.
At his Friday press conference, Judd pointed out that Long has a previous criminal history, but has since “straightened up.” He also stated that Long is known for supporting law enforcement, and “moves in big circles,” while showing a recent picture of him alongside President Donald Trump and his son, Don Trump Jr.
“We like the fact that he likes the cops,” said Judd. “Heck, he liked them so much he got caught up in a sting and got real close with the cops.”
Judd, a Republican, is very familiar with Long’s media work. Back in 2024, Long interviewed Judd, and defended ICE agents who shot and killed Renee Good in Minnesota.
“He appreciates law enforcement,” continued Judd. “Well, there you go. Got arrested in the human trafficking sting. Influence that for a while.”
Besides Judd, Long is a well-known figure among Tampa Bay Republicans. In 2022, he interviewed then-candidate U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, of Florida’s 13th congressional district, where she defended American killer Kyle Rittenhouse and also spread conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election.
Long was also photographed at the Jan. 6 riots in Washington D.C. with Largo’s Cliff Gephart, the owner of the now-closed Trump-themed coffee shop Conservative Grounds.
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This article appears in Apr. 30 – May 06, 2026.