A 33-year-old Winter Haven man is behind bars after Polk County detectives say he showed up to pay $100 for sex with a 14-year-old during an undercover sting on Thursday.
Deputies say James Cherubin was arrested around 1:09 p.m. after he arrived at a prearranged meeting spot, where he believed he was meeting a father willing to prostitute his daughter. The “father” was actually an undercover detective using a dating app as part of an ongoing cybercrime operation, according to authorities. Cherubin was booked on multiple felony counts, and an immigration detainer was placed on him, local officials reported.
Undercover Ad And Arrest
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the Cyber Crimes Unit posted an ad on a dating service that posed as a father offering his daughter for prostitution. Investigators say Cherubin responded, negotiated a deal, and agreed to pay $100.
Detectives report that once the agreement was in place, Cherubin traveled to the designated meeting location, where undercover deputies arrested him without incident. The sheriff's office described the sting as part of its routine undercover work aimed at identifying people who would prey on children.
Booking, Charges And ICE Hold
The Tampa Free Press reported that Cherubin was booked on several charges, including Human Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Activity (victim less than 18), use of a computer to solicit a parent or guardian, traveling to meet after using a computer to solicit a parent for sex with a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and attempted lewd battery.
The outlet also noted that Sheriff Grady Judd said investigators had made similar arrests the previous day. According to the same report, Immigration and Customs Enforcement was notified, an ICE hold was placed on Cherubin, and authorities say he had been in the United States on an expired work visa.
Where This Fits
Polk County has been running a series of undercover operations targeting human trafficking and online predators. A recent multi-day sweep called "Polk Around and Find Out" resulted in more than 200 arrests, the sheriff's office said in a press release. Those crackdowns typically involve detectives posting decoy ads and coordinating with state and federal partners to identify suspects who travel to meet what they believe are minors.
Detectives say the goal is twofold: arrest alleged offenders and identify potential victims who may need social services. For more on that countywide operation, see the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Legal Implications
The Tampa Free Press noted that, under state law, a defendant's immigration status can increase the severity of certain charges by one degree, and prosecutors have said that enhancement will apply in this case.
Cherubin remains in the Polk County Jail on the listed charges while investigators and prosecutors continue preparing the case, and immigration authorities have been notified of his arrest.
