The sheriff of Polk County, Florida, on Friday relentlessly mocked a popular pro-police MAGA influencer who was taken into custody last month and accused of soliciting prostitution online.
“We like the fact that he likes the cops. Heck, he liked them so much he got caught up in a sting and got to be up and real close with the cops,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd quipped at a Friday press conference.
Craig Long, 41, was charged with soliciting another to commit a lewd act after authorities accused him of answering an escort ad online set up by an undercover detective, according to an affidavit reviewed by JS.
Deputies said in the affidavit that Long had arranged to pay $100 for “something quick.”
According to the document, when Long arrived at the sting location on April 21 and entered the room to meet the undercover detective, he “specified” he wanted them to start with oral sex. He was then taken into custody.
A lawyer representing Long did not immediately respond to JS when reached by email for comment on the accusations. Court records reveal that Long has entered a not-guilty plea.
His arrest was one of 266 that resulted from “a multi-day-long joint-agency undercover human trafficking and child predator operation” the sheriff’s department called “Polk Around and Find Out.”
Judd told reporters that Long is married and has a massive online following as a popular MAGA content creator, adding that “he moves in big circles, even with the president.”
The sheriff then showed the audience a photograph of the influencer with President Donald Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr.
“We asked what his attitude was. They said, “Oh, he had a great attitude. He appreciates law enforcement,” Judd said. “Well, there you go. Got arrested in the human trafficking scheme. Influence that for a while.”