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News & Investigations
News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
Apr 20, 2016
PCSO Detectives arrest man at Lake Fannie Boat Ramp
Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO
On Tuesday, April 19, 2016, Polk County Sheriff's undercover detectives arrested RECORD SEALED OR EXPUNGED for one count Solicitation Another to Commit Lewdness, at Lake Fannie Boat Ramp.
The following is an excerpt from the affidavit:
On the above date and time, I was working in an undercover capacity in the area of Winter Haven, Florida (Polk County). I was at the Lake Fannie Boat Ramp, when I observed an unknown white male walk into the wooded area. Detectives were in the area in response to complaints of lewd activity.
I walked into the wooded area where I made contact with the male. Then after some casual conversation I asked the unknown male what he was doing in the wooded area. The defendant stated the following, "I want you to [expletive describing a lewd act]." I then asked the defendant, "Ok, is that what you want me to do?" The defendant replied, "Yeah." I then asked the defendant, "You ready?" The defendant then replied, "Yeah."
The defendant solicited me to perform oral sex on him in a public place. I showed the defendant my badge and identified myself as a Detective from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
The suspect was booked into the Polk County Jail on the aforementioned charge, and released after posting $250.00 bond.