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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 Alicia Manautou. 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.
Feb 7, 2019
PCSO Detectives arrest Lakeland woman for scheming to defraud and theft of over $100,000 from Florida business
Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO
On Wednesday, February 6, 2019, PCSO detectives arrested 55-year-old Darla Jean Borders of 149 Bergen Circle in Auburndale after obtaining a warrant for scheme to defraud over $50,000 (F1) and grand theft over $100,000 (F-1).
According to the affidavit, between August and October 2018, while Borders was employed by Florida Regional Services and was in training to be their office manager, she transferred $104,082 from their Bank of America business account to her personal Paypal account.
Florida Regional Services is a literature vendor for Narcotics Anonymous and other private for-profit companies. Their profits come from selling products to rehabilitation facilities, such as pamphlets, success chips, etc.
Detectives found evidence that Borders made three transactions between $24,000 and $47,000 to her Paypal account between August and October 2018, totalling $104,082.
Borders then transferred $79,000 from her Paypal account to her personal checking account, and also made purchases from her Paypal account at merchants such as Dicks Sporting Goods; Young Essential Oils; Gear Bubble; and Bed, Bath, and Beyond.
When she was confronted by the Florida Regional Services Chairman, she admitted to the theft, and her employment was terminated.
After her arrest, Borders told detectives that she needed the money to purchase hydrocodone and to gamble online. She is being held in the Polk County Jail on $30,000 bond ($15,000 per charge).