A Tamarac man already in custody for human trafficking is facing a new mountain of felony charges after he allegedly tried to orchestrate a drug-selling scheme from inside the Polk County Jail to fund his legal defense.
David Sills, 43, known by the street name “Harlem,” was originally picked up on April 26 during an undercover sting dubbed operation “Polk Around and Find Out.”
Sills arrived at the undercover location with two women he was prostituting and a third female. While Sills waited in his vehicle, detectives seized a stash of methamphetamine, oxycodone, and marijuana.
READ: Undercover Sting Ends In Guilty Plea For Polk County Man Facing 30 Years
However, the investigation didn’t stop at the initial arrest. On May 1, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office added several heavy-hitting charges, including human trafficking by coercion, conspiracy to traffic cocaine and MDMA, and conspiracy to sell methamphetamine.
The new drug charges stem from Sills’ alleged attempt to get out of jail. Detectives say that after his arrest, Sills contacted an associate in Broward County, instructing them to go to his hotel room, retrieve a safe, and sell the narcotics inside to raise cash for his bail and a lawyer.
Detailed affidavits from the victims paint a harrowing picture of Sills’ operation. One woman told investigators that Sills held her against her will, managed her online ads, and forced her to turn over every dollar she earned. She described a cycle of abuse where she was locked in bathrooms and kept awake all night to prevent her from escaping.
“The victim stated Sills slapped her so hard once for asking a question that her tooth came out of her mouth,” the report noted. She further alleged that Sills purposefully kept her under the influence of narcotics to make her easier to control.
Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized that these undercover operations are designed specifically to catch predators who use violence to exploit others.
READ: Two Men With Kids In Tow Among 266 Arrested In Massive Polk County Sex Sting
“This is a clear-cut example of why we conduct these undercover operations—to identify suspects like Sills who exert control over victims through fear, intimidation, and violence,” Sheriff Judd said. “Our purpose is to hold them accountable and put them in jail where they belong. These victims are being trafficked against their will in the sex trade and often have no way out.”
Sills is no stranger to the legal system; he was just released on bond in Broward County this past March for fentanyl trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
This time, however, he isn’t going anywhere. Sills is currently being held in the Polk County Jail on no bond as the investigation continues into whether there are more victims.
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