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.

Aug 27, 2024

OPERATION POP TOP: Two sales clerks in Davenport arrested for selling alcohol to a person under 21

Media Contact: Meghan Petty, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff’s office operates an ongoing Operation Pop Top campaign in which deputies visit various stores to see if store personnel would sell to an alcoholic beverage or Kratom to someone under 21 years of age (Florida's minimum age for legal alcohol consumption).

The person attempting to purchase alcohol was a 17-year old member of the PCSO's Cadet Program. Over the past week, a total of four stores were checked for alcohol sales in our Northeast District. Two clerks at stores in Davenport (7-Eleven at 38409 US Hwy 27 South, and Circle K at 39834 US Hwy 27 South) sold alcohol to the 17-year-old cadet. The other two stores checked were found to be in compliance with state law. The sales clerks, Adriana Delvalle and Jason Lozeille, were subsequently arrested for selling an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 (a second degree misdemeanor).

“As the Sheriff, it’s my duty to protect our community, and that includes ensuring our youth are safe. Selling alcohol to minors isn’t just illegal; it’s irresponsible and puts our kids and our community at risk..” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

If you are interested in learning more about the PCSO Cadet Program please visit: https://www.polksheriff.org/programs-services/cadet-unit-1000