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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.

Feb 26, 2020

Convicted felon in possession of a firearm arrested by PCSO deputies the same day he's released from state prison

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

On February 25, 2020, a PCSO deputy sheriff conducted a traffic stop on Hopson Road in Frostproof after observing 23-year-old Danique Rosius, who was a passenger in the car, holding two unsecured toddlers in his lap while the vehicle was in motion. It was being driven by his twin sister, Monique Rosius. After the deputy activated his lights and sirens for the traffic stop, the vehicle drove slowly for another mile before finally pulling over. 

During a search of the vehicle, deputies located a handgun and a loaded magazine next to it in the glovebox. Rosius told deputies he didn't know it was in the car and that he had just been released from state prison that day. He was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (F-2) and booked into the Polk County Jail. 

"One would think if you've just been released from prison after being convicted of violent felonies, you would do everything in your power to not break the law again, or be anywhere near a firearm. This guy literally broke the law the same day he was released from custody, not to mention putting small children in danger. We hope he's learned his lesson this time." - Grady Judd, Sheriff 

Rosius' criminal history includes an arrest by PCSO for robbery in 2014, an arrest by Highlands County SO in 2015 for armed robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and an arrest by Highlands County SO for resisting arrest, giving false info to LEO, and VOP. He was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in prison for the armed robbery and aggravated assault, and he was released on February 25, 2020.