News and Investigations

On May 27, 2016, PCSO Homicide detectives obtained warrants charging two suspects in the homicide of 17-year-old Larry Graham of Winter Haven.

According to their affidavits, on May 23, 2016, 19-year-old Todd Gates Jr. and 20-year-old Jacob Byers, both of 3636 Avenue U NW in Winter Haven,  drove to Kim Street in Auburndale with the victim (Larry Graham) for the purpose of robbing someone. During the robbery, Graham was fatally shot. 

Gates and Byers were positively identified as the two suspects with Graham during the robbery, and those responsible for his death. On May 25th, Gates was arrested for Providing False Information to Law Enforcement During a Capital Felony, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia, and has been in the jail since that time. 

On May 27th, PCSO Homicide detectives obtained warrants for Gates and Byers - Gates, who was already in the jail, was additionally charged with First Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Attempted Armed Robbery, Armed Burglary, Tampering with Evidence, Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon.

Byers turned himself in to PCSO during the late evening hours of May 27th. He was booked in on the warrant, with the following charges: First Degree Murder, Attempted Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Grand Theft Auto, and Accessory After the Fact in a Capital Felony. 

"The successful conclusion of this homicide investigation was brought about by the tireless work of our Bureau of Criminal Investigations detectives, crimes scene investigators, and support personnel. These young men learned a life-changing lesson, that committing violent crime like robbery often has very dire circumstances. One young man lost his life, and two others will spend a very long time in prison." - Sheriff Grady Judd