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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.

Sep 29, 2021

PCSO operation charges two store clerks for illegal alcohol sales

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

For the second time in a week, the Polk County Sheriff's Office has made two arrests for illegal alcohol sales at area convenience stores. Late last week, two store clerks were arrested at two Davenport stores, and on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, two more clerks were arrested at stores in Haines City and Dundee.

"Our deputies are out there often, visiting stores and making sure they're not selling alcohol to anyone under 21 years old, and we're going to keep checking, and keep enforcing the law."- Grady Judd, Sheriff

The checks are part of a campaign called, "Operation Pop Top." Deputies utilize PCSO Explorers to attempt to purchase alcohol at the stores. The Explorers program is for students who are interested in a career in law enforcement. On Tuesday, the Explorer who took part in the checks was a 17-year old boy.

Arrested were:
* 32-year old Meshella Letemps, who works at the Pilot Travel Center at 35647 US 27 in Haines City.

* 25-year old Ashlee Hart, who works at 7-Eleven at 28200 US 27 in Dundee.

Both women were charged with selling alcohol to someone under 21, a misdemeanor.

Two other stores were visited, and they were both compliant with state law. Those stores were:

RaceTrac at 32886 US 27 in Haines City and Sunoco at 30105 US 27 in Lake Hamilton.