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.

Aug 11, 2023

Two men arrested for exposing themselves at family park in Winter Haven

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

Vice detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men Thursday, August 10, 2023 for exposing themselves at Lake Hartridge Nature Park in Winter Haven.

“Parents take their children to this park and other parks like it for quality family time, and to make memories. The memories they don’t want is seeing people being lewd and obscene. I have a tip for anyone wanting to behave this way in public places—Polk County is not the place to try it.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Arrested during two separate incidents Thursday morning were: 35-year old William Allen, Jr. of Auburndale and 42-year old Joseph Vollman of Astor, Florida.

Both men were charged with: Unlawful Exposure of Sexual Organs (M1) and Engaging in a Lewd or Lascivious Act (M2).