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 Meghan Petty. 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.

Jul 5, 2017

Update: Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies investigate July 3 shooting in Wabash/Lakeland

Media Contact: Michele Cash, PIO

PCSO deputies are investigating a shooting that resulted in three men shot around 7:45 p.m. on Monday, July 3, 2017, on Tennessee Road in the Wabash area of unincorporated Lakeland; 17-year-old Jake Andrew Castillo of Tennessee Road died as a result of a gunshot wound to the upper torso.

The investigation has revealed 29-year-old John Lugo of Lakeland, fired shots at three passengers in a white Cadillac. Lugo’s gun shots struck 18-year-old Dario Trejo of Lakeland (the driver) and 24-year-old Jose Tinoco of Lakeland (front passenger). 18-year-old Christopher Garcia of Lakeland, was the back seat passenger and was not injured.

Deputies responded to the area and located Trejo and Tinoco and began performing first aid. Trejo and Tinoco were transported to LRHMC. Trejo suffered from a gunshot wound to his upper torso and was treated and released. Tinoco suffered from a gunshot wound to his lower left jaw and is in stable condition.

Soon after deputies responded, they found a shooting victim at a home on Tennessee Road. Jake Castillo had been shot and they began life-saving measures. Castillo was transported to LRHMC and later succumbed to his injuries.

According to witnesses the white Cadillac drove past the house, turned around, and slowly approached the residence. The witnesses indicated shots were fired from both outside the home and from passengers inside the Cadillac. The Cadillac veered into a ditch a short distance from the home.

Shortly thereafter Lugo fled the scene. PCSO has issued an arrest warrant for Lugo for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Detectives are trying to locate Lugo.

“If you know where John Lugo is, or if you know have more information about what happened Monday night, please call Crime Stoppers.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

If you have information about the shooting incident or the whereabouts of John Lugo call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477), or visit www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. You must call Crime Stoppers to be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000! By calling Crime Stoppers you will remain anonymous. iPhone and Droid users can download a free tip submit app to anonymously report crime. To install these free apps, please visit www.tipsoft.com

Trejo has been arrested and charged with seven counts possession of Xanax (F), tampering with evidence (F), and one count possession of drug paraphernalia (M), booked into the Polk County Jail, and is being held on no bond.

PCSO is continuing to investigate; further criminal charges are expected.