Jacksonville man with Polk County warrant issued during "Operation Child Protector VII" taken into custody
One of the suspects charged via warrant during "Operation Fool Around and Find Out - Again / Operation Child Protector VII" 36-year-old Kyle Mullen of Jacksonville,...
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), have charged a Phoenix, Arizona man in connection with Operation Child Protector VII, a multi-agency undercover initiative targeting individuals who prey on children. The operation, conducted in...
On September 24, 2025, PCSO detectives, with the assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 25-year-old Jahaziel Mendez of Bradenton on charges related to unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
The investigation began when a 15-year-old girl disclosed that...
Fingerprints collected from two stolen vehicles and the subsequent analysis by a latent print examiner resulted in the positive identification and arrest of a 14-year-old suspect who is on probation, for two counts of grand theft of a motor...
By Carl Fish
POLK COUNTY – A Polk County jury has found Cheryl Williams guilty on all charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with the death of 21-year-old Deputy Sheriff Blane Lane.
Sheriff Grady Judd released a statement following the verdict:
“This...
Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 53 people for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol and/or drugs last month, and one person for Boating Under the Influence.
Among these arrests, 13 were involved in crashes.
Three of the arrested had children...
LAKELAND, FL — An Ohio man was arrested on September 1, 2025, after allegedly driving without a license, driving over 100 mph, and attempting to bribe a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officer following a traffic stop on I-4 Eastbound in...
Polk County Sheriff's deputies arrested six suspects who are in the country illegally from Guatemala after being called to the Willow Oak Mobile Home Park to investigate a death and discovering that the victim had been fatally struck by...
29-year old David Martinez Santiesteban of Brandon got arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on September 5th.
Four thefts of lottery tickets had occurred at a convenience store in south Lakeland. The thefts happened on August 24th, 28th, 29th,...
Polk County Sheriff's undercover detectives conducted an investigation into those who possess and operate illegal gambling machines in stores throughout the county during "Operation Bad Odds," resulting in 28 arrests and the confiscating of 48 illegal gambling machines. We...
Polk County Fire Rescue Responses to Fatal Fire on Scenic View Street
Bartow, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2026) — Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) crews responded to...
