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.

Oct 1, 2024

Operation Pop-Top: Lakeland sales clerk charged for selling alcohol to 18-year old

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office made an arrest on Monday, September 30, 2024 for an illegal alcohol sale.

The deputies were conducting the ongoing "Operation Pop Top" campaign, in which they visit numerous stores that sell alcohol to make sure the stores are being compliant with state laws regarding the sales of those products. The deputies were assisted by an 18-year old PCSO Cadet who made attempts at nine Lakeland area stores to purchase alcoholic beverages.

The PCSO Cadet was successful at one of the stops, the Mobile store at 2100 West Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland.

"Sales clerks are the gatekeepers at these stores; they must check IDs and they must refuse to sell alcohol or kratom to anyone under the age of 21...it's the law. We are very serious about enforcing the laws here in Polk County, and we have been very clear about that." - Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Arrested was 58-year old Tracey Holman; she was charged with Selling Alcohol to a Person Under 21 years of Age, a misdemeanor.