The Tenth Judicial Circuit Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that occurred in northeast Polk County this afternoon. All of the deputies involved are safe.
At 6:30 p.m. this evening (Wednesday, October 23, 2024) Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at the scene, which is near the 2000 block of Slocumb Road in unincorporated Haines City. He will provide preliminary details this evening, and more information will be released at a later time.
Sheriff Grady Judd Will Brief Media On Deputy Involved Shooting In Unincorporated Haines City
J.C. Reviews: The Wild Robot is a Comfy, Cozy Movie
by James Coulter
If I had a nickel for every time there was an animated movie about a robot taking care of a living creature in a post-apocalyptic setting, and that movie ended up being the best-animated movie of the year, I’d have two nickels—which isn’t much but it’s weird that it happened twice. (The movies I’m talking about are this movie and Wall-E.)
Yes, The Wild Robot is one of those rare films that dares to push boundaries and prove that animated movies can be more than “just for kids”–that they can be real cinema! Think Spirited Away or Loving Vincent or Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
And when I say this movie was the best movie of the year, I’m not just bragging. Not only has this movie grossed more than $197.3 million in the box office worldwide, but it became so successful that a sequel is now in development. But is The Wild Robot really that wild of a movie? Or was it simply a scrap of junk that was better left forgotten in the woods?
The Wild Robot is based on the novel of the same name by Peter Brown. It stars a robot who crash lands on an island inhabited only by animals. The robot, named Rozz, stumbles onto a freshly-hatched gosling, which immediately imprints on her.
Rozz accepts her “task” of raising the young goose, which she names Brightbill, with the help of a wily fox. Can the two raise the young gosling and teach it to fly before winter comes? And what of Rozz’s origins? Where did she come from? And can she ever go back?
Undoubtedly, the best aspect of this film is the animation. Like many other recent animated films like Into The Spiderverse and The Last Wish, The Wild Robot effortlessly combines 3D and 2D animation. This movie has a unique watercolor aesthetic, which makes it look almost like the illustrations of a children’s storybook come to life.
This watercolor aesthetic especially makes the natural setting look and feel rustic. The colors really “pop” from the foliage, especially during the changing seasons. I especially loved the autumnal color scheme when fall arrived, since it reminds me of the fall colors of my current rural Virginia setting. (Been a while since I’ve seen the seasons change like this.)
The story and characters are simple yet charming enough. Rozz the robot needs to help raise Brightbill the gosling into an adult goose with the help of Fink the Fox. Rozz is an innocent outsider who needs to learn to adapt to her new environment and to her new role as a parent. Fink is a reluctant companion who reluctantly decides to help, though not necessarily through the kindness of his own heart. And Brightbill, having been the runt of his litter, has to deal with being the odd one out of his species.
The movie was directed by Chris Sanders. As someone who previously directed other hit animated films like Lilo and Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, Sanders is no stranger to helping tell this type of story, where an outsider has to team up with an average person to become something greater than themselves. The young girl Lilo has to train the alien stitch to be
“good” and teach him the importance of family. Hiccup the Viking has to train the dragon Toothless to fly again, and in doing so, learn that dragons can be friends, not enemies.
And in this movie, Rozz the robot has to raise the goose Brightbill and, through the process, learn to become more than just a service robot. The result is an animated masterpiece that, despite its simple, traditional story, manages to deliver a complex narrative that delves deep into the themes of nature, humanity, and purpose.
Perhaps the surprisingly charming aspect of the movie is the dark humor. Despite its pastoral setting with cute talking animals, this movie is not afraid to delve into the darker aspects of nature. One of the first scenes has a bird’s head chopped off and eaten by a predator. Another scene involves a joke about a mother opossum raising seven baby opossums. (When you see it, you’ll know!). Nature truly is “eat or be eaten.”
As of now, The Wild Robot is still playing in theaters, though now digital copies are being made available to rent or buy, with streaming no doubt around the corner. If you can watch it in theaters, by all means, do! It is a visually stunning film that deserves to be seen on the big screen. So catch it in theaters while you still can. It really is that good.
Polk Deputy’s Arrest Woman Who Allegedly Robbed Uber Driver At Gunpoint
On Sunday, October 20, 2024 at approximately 8:00 PM, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an armed robbery call in Mulberry. Upon their arrival, they made contact with the victim, an Uber driver, who told deputies the suspect, 27-year old Jasia Owens, had robbed him at gunpoint.
The victim was in the process of dropping off two passengers, when they asked if they could purchase a second ride to another location, and asked if their friend (Owens) could ride with them. Jasia Owens attempted to enter the car with a dog, and the Uber driver told her he did not want her pet in his car. He asked the entire group to exit his vehicle. According to the victim and witnesses, Owens became irate and refused to leave the vehicle. Both the victim and Owens exited the vehicle, arguing, and Owens pulled a brown handgun from her bag, threatened the victim and snatched his cellphone. The victim attempted to flee the scene in his car, but Owens prevented him from leaving. Once he was able to leave, he drove down the street and flagged down a bystander, using their phone to call 9-1-1 for help.
The weapon used in the robbery, a 9mm Sig Sauer, was recovered in the driveway of a nearby home, under a vehicle. According to the witness at that house, Owens had come onto their driveway and asked for a ride to her sister’s house. They stated that Owens appeared to be in a rush to get out of the area.
Jasia Owens’ criminal history includes aggravated assault, grand larceny and battery. She was charged with armed robbery in this incident, a life felony.
This Young Barrel-Racing Prodigy Has Won 16 Buckles. She’s Set to Win Another at an Upcoming Championship
by James Coulter
Hayleigh Rodgers has won more than 16 buckles, along with halters, saddles, and cash, at horse racing tournaments across the nation and state. She’s set to win yet another award at her next competition later this month.
Rodgers will be traveling to Perry, GA at the end of the month for the 2024 National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Open World Championship. She plans on competing in the first two rounds, and if she qualifies, she will be able to compete in the finals.
Last year, she won the 2023 NBHA 3D Youth World Championship. She plans to win again this year. She has been practicing with her horse three times a week, competing in smaller shows across the state, and taking her horse to medical checkups with the veterinarian, dentist, and chiropractor.
Rodgers was inspired to get involved with barrel racing after attending a barrel race with her grandmother to watch a friend compete. “I knew right when I watched the first girl run that it was something I was interested in,” she said. “Ever since then, I was interested in riding and I never quit.”
As for her upcoming competition, Rodgers is a mix of excited and nervous. She owes her success to her support system, including her mother and grandmother, her coach, Holly Calhoun, and her sponsors including the Daily Ridge.
“None of this would be possible without them,” she boasted.
The 2024 NBHA Open World Championship will be hosted on Tue. Oct. 27 – to Sat. Nov. 2, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, GA.
To learn how to support Hayleigh Rodgers and her family, please contact her or her mother Stephanie Randall on Facebook.
Hayleigh Rodgers recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss her upcoming trip and her preparations. Listen to the episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-45-haunted-jails-barrel-racing
The 25th Anniversary Lake Mirror Classic Car Show This Weekend In Lakeland
The Lake Mirror Classic brings all the grandeur of a top-level Concours to Lakeland. The event runs from Friday October 18th – Sunday October 20th.
You will see rolling works of art from some of the nation’s top auto collectors and museums along with rare and themed automobile displays. The unique setting also features vintage wooden boats and the ever popular Amphicars will be in and around Lake Mirror at this center piece of the 3-day Lake Mirror Classic.
You will be amazed as the streets of historic downtown Lakeland transform with fantastic show vehicles, great displays and fun!
Over 400 Classics, Exotics, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods, Specialty Vehicles and Trucks make this fun for all ages. You will be amazed when you see fantastic show vehicles from all over Florida and beyond!
10AM – 4PM
The Lake Mirror Classic Road Tour Sunday, October 20th, 2024 8am – 1pm.
The emphasis of the Tour is on “fun.” Create memories, spend time with friends and make new ones. The event encourages fun and challenges your senses to follow the clues provided. You will also see some of the most beautiful and scenic roads in Central Florida.
2024 Grand Marshal, Kip Wasenko is an automotive designer, race car designer, racer and an amazing, lifelong auto enthusiast. He began his 40-year Design Career at General Motors in June 1968. During this time his career included the U.S., Europe and Australia. He retired in May 2008.
At GM Design Kip was Chief Designer of Saturn, Chevrolet Studio, Oldsmobile Studio, Cadillac Studio and several Advance Studios. He was Director of Design of the GM Performance Division and Specialty Vehicles.
In 1973 Kip received his first Design Patent on the Two-Rotor Mid-Engine Corvette Concept Car which is now on display at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. Kip also designed many Indy 500 and Daytona 500 Pace Cars. The most exotic was the Mid-Engine Buick Wildcat with its exposed Indy 500 Engine by Buick. This Mid-Engine Wildcat, designed in 1984-85, was a true Supercar Concept that would rival today’s million dollar Supercars.
Complete details, times and locations here: https://lakemirrorclassic.com
- 50,000 plus people attended the 2023 Lake Mirror Classic
- Over 700 hundred vehicles will participate in Lake Mirror Classic events
- More than 10 automobile museums will have featured vehicles on display
- Lake Mirror Classic entrants travel from at least 14 states and Canada.
Come Visit The Bartow Haunted Jail Tour for Its Final Year. Learn About the Jail’s “Real” Haunts.
by James Coulter
For more than a decade, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has been hosting its Haunted Jail Tour at the old county jail. Now, the PSCO is hosting the Haunted Jail Tour for one final year.
Located at 455 North Broadway in Bartow, the facility that is now the Lawrence W. Crow, Jr. building served as the original county jail, from its construction in 1962 up until it closed in 2000.
However, despite the old jail closing more than two decades ago, many of its residents–or rather, their resident haunts–have never left. Officers who work in the building have reported strange unexplained phenomena, from apparitions, strange sounds, and sudden chills.
Sgt. Justin Carr claims that many officers have seen or heard jail doors closing. “[That] is particularly frightening,’ he explains, “because some of these doors are on the track-gear assembly where an individual cannot close [them], and yet for some reason, there have been individual cases where a door has closed as if something paranormal drove it.”
One of the jail’s most famous haunts is Calvin, the ghost of a prisoner who allegedly died in the jail during the 1960s. Many officers have reported seeing this apparition either with their own eyes or on security footage. Both the basement and the second floor especially have been locations where the most paranormal happenings have allegedly occurred.
“The second floor, in particular, there is something about it,” he said. “Its [the] lighting being as poor as it is, just strange drafts, strange feelings that come across your skin, seeing something in the corner in your eyes, moving and making noise and there is no explanation for it, just strange cold chills come across you and a few times where you hear voices and no one is in the building anymore.”
“I was there after dark at times and…watched a hallway appear to get longer,” he said. “I could see [it] stretch in front of me. [At] the same time, you get goosebumps, [and] chills over you. It is a frightening experience but it is a real thing. Some things going on up there. No other way to describe it in my opinion.”
Sgt. Justin Carr recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss this year’s Haunted Jail Tour and the many actual haunts that have haunted the old building. Listen to the full episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-45-haunted-jails-barrel-racing
The Haunted Jail Tour will be hosted in Bartow will be hosted on Fri. and Sat. Oct. 18 and 19 and Oct. 25 and 25 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. For more information, visit the PCSO Facebook page.
“Operation Autumn Sweep“ Nets 157 Arrests From Prostitution To Human Trafficking
During a five-day-long undercover human trafficking operation, which began on October 2, 2024, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit arrested 157 suspects involved in illegal acts related to soliciting prostitutes, offering to commit prostitution, or aiding and abetting prostitutes. Three other suspects were arrested for traveling to sexually batter juveniles.
PCSO detectives were joined by detectives from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Auburndale Police, Clermont Police, Davenport Police, Haines City Police, Lakeland Police, Lake Wales Police, St. Cloud Police, Tampa Police, Winter Haven Police Department, and Winter Haven Fire departments. The Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Circuit, State Attorney Brian Haas, members from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), and social services organizations One More Child and Heartland for Children were also on-hand. Special thanks also to the Florida Human Trafficking Victims’ Fund for their assistance.
Those who travelled to commit prostitution were screened by detectives and the social services organizations to determine if they were being trafficked or exploited by others, and were offered services by the social services organizations at the operation. During this investigation, four possible human trafficking victims were identified of the 47 prostitutes who showed up to the undercover location offering to commit prostitution.
There were 96 suspects arrested for soliciting a prostitute and traveling to the undercover location to negotiate having sex in exchange for money; 14 other suspects were arrested, and of those, one was charged with human trafficking, a life felony.
Detectives charged a total of 35 felonies and 201 misdemeanors during the investigation. The suspects’ criminal histories included a combined total of 327 felonies and 455 misdemeanors, with charges such as premeditated murder (two suspects – nolle prosequi), attempted murder, vehicular homicide, attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery, and sexual assault.
“The approach of Hurricane Milton caused us to end our investigation earlier than planned, but it’s still amazing that in such a short amount of time we were able to put 157 people in jail, and three child predators. Sixteen percent of the suspects we arrested are here illegally, but were offered free medical, food, travel, and housing, compliments of the U.S. taxpayers – meanwhile hurricane victims are still waiting, and praying for help.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Detectives identified and arrested one suspect for human trafficking after one of his victims arrived at the undercover location and trusted law enforcement enough to tell her story.
Travis Hutchinson, 25, from Davenport, is charged with human trafficking (F1), forcing one to prostitute (F3), deriving proceeds from prostitution (F2), and battery strangulation (F3). His victim was driven to the undercover location by a friend. The victim traveled from Colombia to Mexico, where she walked across the border and was flown to Orlando. She was told she needed to pay off her $6,000 debt to the coyote(s) who transported her to the U.S. She was then given to Hutchinson, who created all of her online ads and communicates with all the “clients” who pay her to have sex with them. The payments either go directly to Hutchinson, or if she collects the money he immediately takes it from her, and only allows her to keep a portion of it with which to pay for food and lodging. Hutchinson threatens her and physically abuses her – she had marks on her neck from recently being choked by him. He forced her into prostitution through intimidation, fear, and physical abuse, and held onto the documents she received when she arrived in the U.S. The victim was rescued during this investigation and is in the custody of social services and rescue organizations.
Some interesting notes from the operation:
· 25 of the arrested are suspected of being in the country illegally; Those who are here illegally are from Cuba, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Venezuela.
· 26 suspects told detectives they are married.
· 9 suspects told detectives they receive government assistance.
· 10 suspects brought illegal drugs to the location: cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana.
· 10 firearms were brought to the undercover location
· 131 suspects were from outside of Polk County, including 9 states and the United Kingdom: Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
· The oldest person arrested is 61 years old while the youngest is 15 years old.
Three suspects were either active duty military or veterans; three suspects worked at Disney World; three suspects were previously arrested by PCSO during similar sting operations. Several suspects left either their wives or fiancées at home – the women thought their partners were either at work, or going to a store or the gym.
Three other suspects communicated with and solicited who they thought were children online – they showed up to an undercover location in Polk County at separate times to sexually batter children. One of these suspects also works at Disney World.
THOSE THREE SUSPECTS ARE:
1. 28-year-old Branden Orr, DOB 6/20/1996, of Kissimmee, FL. Orr sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. Orr told the decoy that he had been “stood up” and was bored, and then said he wanted to take the “girl” to Disney. He said if he came to her house they could watch a movie, cuddle, make out, and have sex. He traveled to the undercover location and when detectives approached to take him into custody, he tried to run – detectives deployed a Taser and he was arrested. He told detectives that he is a lifeguard at Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort, and that he is engaged to be married.
Orr was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
· Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
· Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
· Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
· Resisting arrest (M1)
2. 34-year-old Michael Gillis, DOB 8/31/1990, of Eden Prairie, MN. Gillis sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. Gillis told the decoy that he is 24-years-old, and the conversation immediately became sexual in nature. His online profile displays the quote, “be chill, looking for younger guys.” He sent the “boy” pornographic images and described the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child. He took an Uber to the undercover location and was taken into custody. He brought condoms. He gave detectives a false name and had to be identified after being fingerprinted, at which time his true identity was known, including his recent arrest in Bloomington, Minnesota for soliciting a child online to engage in sexual conduct. He was arrested there on August 8, 2024, and released the next day after posting $85,000 bond. He was released from the Polk County Jail after posting $72,000 bond, and is on a GPS monitoring system here. He told detectives that he is a videographer and was in Orlando for work.
Gillis was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
· Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
· Use of a computer to seduce a child (F2)
· Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
· Lewd/lascivious conduct (F3)
· Resisting arrest (M1)
· Giving false info to LEO (M1)
3. 30-year-old Ezequiel Mejia, DOB 4/10/1994, of Haines City, FL. Mejia sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. He told the decoy that he wanted to be her boyfriend but that doing anything else with her could get him into “very big trouble.” He brought condoms with him when he arrived at the undercover location. He told detectives that he is an electrician, and married with a 7-year-old daughter, and his wife and child are in North Carolina due to the approaching hurricane. He has been in the country illegally from Mexico for 10 years. PCSO notified ICE and he is on an ICE hold in the jail.
Mejia was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
· Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
· Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
· Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
· Resisting arrest (M1)
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd To Brief Media Regarding Four Victims Saved From Human Trafficking & 157 Arrests For Sex Crimes
Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, Thursday, October 17, 2024, at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center, 1891 Jim
Keene Blvd in Winter Haven, about a five-day-long multi-agency undercover investigation, “Operation Autumn Sweep” that focused on human trafficking,
during which 157 arrests were made of suspects who solicited prostitutes and those who offered to commit prostitution, and other suspects who committed crimes related to prostitution.
Among the arrests, four victims of human trafficking were identified and offered services, and one suspect was charged with felony human trafficking.
Of the 157 arrested, 25 are in the country illegally.
Three additional suspects were arrested for soliciting who they though were children online, and charged with traveling to meet a minor, attempted lewd and lascivious battery on a minor, and use of a computer to seduce a child. One of those suspects works at Disney World; one is in Florida for work, and out on bond from the same charges in another state (soliciting a child online); and the third is in the country illegally
PCSO Seeking Pet Owners After 76 Animals Found After Hurricane Milton – They Also Over 140 Pets To Be Adopted
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control division is searching for the owners of 44 dogs and 32 cats found during Hurricane Milton last week. Our Animal Control team is fully focused on returning pets to their rightful owners, but we need the community’s help to reunite owners and fur babies.
“Only two of the over 76 animals found wandering during the hurricane have microchips. We would like to encourage all pet owners to please microchip your pets. This helps our amazing Animal Control staff quickly and easily identify owners of lost pets, so we can promptly return your pets to you if they are lost.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
If your pet was lost during Hurricane Milton and you are still searching for them, we have pictures of all animals found during the hurricane in the front office of our Animal Control Shelter. Please stop by between 8 AM and 8 PM Monday through Friday this week, and 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday if you are searching for your pet, and you can check our records to see if we have your pet in our shelter. The address is 7115 de Castro Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33880. We want to help return your pets home where they belong.
We would like to thank our amazing community partners at the Polk County Bully Project, Rescue Pets of Florida, and the Florida Little Dog Rescue for helping us care for our shelter animals always, but especially during Hurricane Milton. Polk County Bully Project took over 44 dogs for us before the storm. Florida Little Dogs took over 18 dogs the day before the hurricane. Rescue Pets of Florida took several foster kittens into their care as well. They were instrumental in helping us make sure our furry friends were safe and sound during the storm. If you are interested in donating to their causes, their websites are:
We currently have 56 adoptable dogs and 84 cats that are ready to go home with you today. These animals are not part of the group of strays found during Hurricane Milton. Adoptions are a significant way to assist Polk County Animal Control by making room for the animals that continue to come in during the recovery period. If you are interested in adopting one of our furry friends, please visit our website at: https://www.polksheriff.org/animal-services/adoptable-pets. Our facility is open for adoptions from 10 AM – 4 PM Mondaythrough Friday, and from 9 AM – 4 PM on Saturdays.
We are also appreciative of any donations to our shelter. Donations can be made via our Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/I4E3W42F863T or directly on our website: https://www.polksheriff.org/donate—animal-control.
33 Yr Old Lakeland Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash
Motorcycle crash kills Lakeland man Monday night
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred Monday night, October 14, 2024, north of Lakeland.
33-year old James Brooks III of Lakeland died at the scene of the crash, despite efforts from bystanders who attempted to keep him alive with CPR.
PCSO deputies and members from Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched to the crash at Deeson Road and Kathleen Road at about 11:03 pm.
The investigation is being conducted by the detectives from the PCSO’s Traffic Homicide Unit.
According to the preliminary findings, Mr. Brooks was driving a red 2007 Suzuki motorcycle east on Deeson Road, and failed to negotiate a curve, just west of Kathleen Road.
Brooks’ motorcycle left the right (south) side of the road and struck a utility pole.
It is believed that Mr. Brooks was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Deeson Road was closed for approximately three hours, and the investigation is ongoing.
