News and Investigations

Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies visited seven convenience stores on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, in an effort to ensure that they are abiding by state alcohol sales laws. The ongoing campaign is dubbed "Operation Pop-Top." 

Six of the stores visited were in the Lakeland area, and one was in Davenport.

Deputies utilize a PCSO Explorer to attempt to purchase the alcohol. Explorers are high school students who are interested in a career in law enforcement. In Monday's stops, a 17-year-old Explorer entered each store and attempted to purchase an alcoholic beverage. He was turned away at all but one of the stores.

39-year-old Sharita Everett, a clerk at the 7-Eleven store at 5870 US 98 North in Lakeland, violated the law by selling the alcoholic beverage to the 17-year-old boy. 

"Deputies arrested Ms. Everett for the same thing back on April 27, 2021. She and everyone else who works at a store where alcohol is sold, needs to realize that we are serious in Polk County about making sure children are not able to buy alcohol. Kudos to the stores and clerks who are compliant with the law." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

The other stores which were visited on Monday and found to be compliant were:
* 7-Eleven           3500 Champions Gate Blvd     Davenport
* Circle K             7250 N US 98                          Lakeland   
* Circle K             8324 N US 98                          Lakeland
* Marathon          6655 Socrum Loop                   Lakeland 
* Marathon          4718 N US 98                           Lakeland  
* RaceTrac          6650 N US 98                           Lakeland