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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 31, 2024
Two charged for illegal alcohol sales at Winter Haven lounge
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
An investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office of a Winter Haven lounge has resulted in criminal charges against two employees for illegal alcohol sales.
Undercover PCSO detectives visited Da Place Hookah Lounge at 3547 Recker Highway on October 29, 2024, and again on the following day.
Despite the lounge’s lack of a license to sell alcoholic beverages, detectives were able to purchase liquor and beer during both of their visits.
33-year old Wandy Noel and 26-year old Sallie Henry were both involved in the sales, and were subsequently charged at the Polk County Jail.
Mr. Noel, the operator of the lounge, was charged with Maintaining a Business to Sell Alcohol Unlawfully (F3, 2-counts).
Ms. Henry, a bartender, was charged with Sale of Alcoholic Beverages without a License (M2).
PCSO detectives worked with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) to determine that Da Place Hookah Lounge had no alcohol license.
ABT also worked with Lakeland Police Department in April of this year, during an investigation of another Wandy Noel-run business called The Hangout Lounge at 812 Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland. That business also operated without a liquor license, and Mr. Noel was arrested by LPD for the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages. Over 300 items of illegally possessed liquor items were seized, and Mr. Noel was eventually sentenced to 60 days in the Polk County Jail for what was at the time, just a misdemeanor.
From the Da Place Hookah Lounge, PCSO detectives seized 111 bottles of alcohol: 28-wine, 26-beer, and 57 liquor bottles.
“Two times in the past six months, Wandy Noel has attempted to illegally sell alcohol out of his businesses within Polk County. I would suggest to him that he try a different business strategy, because this one just isn’t working out for him.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
On July 1, 2024, a new state law increased the penalty for the sale of alcohol at a commercial establishment to a third degree felony.