Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200
If in an emergency Dial 911
News and Investigations
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.
Nov 23, 2024
Operation Pop Top: One arrested in Wahneta for illegal alcohol sales
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Wahneta store clerk on Friday, November 22, 2024, during the latest round of Operation Pop-Top—the agency’s ongoing campaign against illegal alcohol sales to people under 21-years of age.
The deputies visited a total of ten stores in southeast Polk County on Friday, aided by a 15-year old member of the PCSO’s Cadet 1000 program.
Under the watch of deputies, the student attempted to purchase an alcoholic beverage at each of the stores, and was successful at the Dollar General store at 2871 Rifle Range Road.
73-year old Beatrice Duke was charged with selling alcohol to a person under 21-years of age, a misdemeanor.
“I don’t look at this arrest as a success, but more of a failure by this clerk to check this child for identification like the law requires. Stores that sell alcoholic beverages have a responsibility to do their part to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors.”- Grady Judd, Sheriff
In addition to the alcohol-checks, the deputies also checked one store and ensured they were compliant with kratom sales laws.