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.

Mar 26, 2019

PCSO Vice Unit arrests Winter Haven man for indecent exposure at Lake Fannie boat ramp

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

On Monday, March 25, 2019, Polk County Sheriff's Office undercover detectives conducted an operation at the Lake Fannie Boat Ramp in Winter Haven in response to complaints of lewd activity there.

Detectives arrested 70-year-old Floyd Smith of Winter Haven, after he exposed himself to an undercover male detective. He was placed under arrest and has been charged with one count exposure of sex organs (M1), and was issued a trespass from all county parks. Smith was transported to the Polk County Jail with a $500 bond.

"It's unfortunate that we have to continue conducting these type of operations but we will not tolerate this type of criminal activity in public places. These are public places; parks and boat ramps are places where families go to enjoy the great outdoors, not to be exposed to this type of illegal behavior."- Grady Judd, Sheriff