News and Investigations

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted another round of Operation Pop Top checks at local stores that sell alcohol. These checks are frequently done to ensure that the stores and their sales clerks are refusing to sell alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21.

On Monday, July 22, 2024, the deputies visited twenty-one convenience stores; nineteen of the stores were compliant.

During these checks, the deputies were assisted by three 17-year old students who are members of the PCSO Cadets, a program for students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

The students were successful in attempts to purchase an alcoholic beverage at the 7-Eleven at 1690 E. Hinson Avenue in Haines City and the Little Dixie South at 917 Scenic Highway South in Frostproof. 

The two clerks who sold the alcoholic beverages to the students were arrested and charged with Selling Alcohol to a Person under 21 Years of Age (a misdemeanor). They were identified as 23-year old Kimberly Johnson and 26-year old Angel Morales-Valle.

"These checks shouldn't come as a surprise to the store staff; we do them often throughout the county, and we make no secret about them. The whole point of it is to make sure we don't have children purchasing alcoholic beverages at these stores. Sales clerks who ignore the law will be held accountable." - Grady Judd, Sheriff.