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.

May 31, 2019

Lakeland man arrested a second time for soliciting for a lewd act at Saddle Creek Park

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

On Thursday, May 30, 2019, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 48-year-old Andrew Griffin of Lakeland during an undercover operation at Saddle Creek Park in Lakeland, and charged him with Soliciting Another for a Lewd Act (F3).

The charge is typically a misdemeanor, but this was the second time Griffin was arrested for this type of behavior; his previous arrest was in July of 2013 at the same park.

“We frequently conduct undercover operations like this so people will learn that these parks are for families to enjoy, and this type of lewd criminal behavior at public places is not acceptable. This man didn’t get the message the first time, so maybe he'll get the message the second time around.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

The undercover operations carried out by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is in response to complaints about lewd activity in various county parks.