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 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.

Mar 25, 2019

PCSO Vice Unit arrests Lakeland man for lewd act at Saddle Creek Park

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

On March 22, 2019, PCSO undercover detectives conducted an operation at the Lake Fannie Boat Ramp in Winter Haven in response to complaints of lewd activity there.

Detectives arrested 78-year-old Bobby Wayne Ferrell of Winter Haven, after he exposed himself to and solicited an undercover male detective to perform a sex act. He was previously arrested at the same boat ramp for the same activity in 2015. He was placed under arrest and has been charged with one count exposure of sex organs (M1), and one count offering to commit lewdness - 2nd offense (M2). He was also issued a trespass from all county parks. He was released from jail after posting $1,000 bond.

"We conduct operations such as this one all year long to warn those who frequent our parks and boat ramps that we will not tolerate this type of criminal activity in public places. Parks and boat ramps are places where families go to enjoy the great outdoors, not to be exposed to this type of illegal behavior." - Grady Judd, Sheriff