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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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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.
Jun 23, 2026
PCSO Vice Unit arrests two in massage parlor operation
Media Contact: Juliana Rivera, PIO
On Monday, June 22, 2026, undercover detectives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office Vice Unit conducted an on-going operation focused on identifying possible human trafficking victims and possible illegal conduct in a massage parlor.
During a check at the New Oriental Massage located at 2934 Lakeland Highlands Road in Lakeland, 52-year-old Qiaoli Zhang of Lakeland was arrested for Committing Lewd Acts (M2) after she grabbed the detective's groin. Detectives then learned that Zhang was not a licensed massage therapist and further charged her with unlicensed massage (M1) and violation of massage practices (M1). She was transported to the Polk County Jail. Contact was made with ICE as Zhang is currently pending asylum status.
As the investigation continued, detectives discovered that the massage therapy establishment license was issued to 36-year-old Zhike Chai, the owner of the parlor. Chai was charged with maintaining a place for prostitution (M2), deriving proceeds (F2), and employing an unlicensed massage therapist (M1).
"Our detectives will continue to check these types of businesses to identify and help the victims of human trafficking. We are also committed to ensuring any businesses within Polk County are operating within full compliance of Florida Statutes.” - Grady Judd, Sheriff
At this time, there is no evidence or information that Ms. Zhang is a victim of human trafficking.