Argument Leads To Stabbing In Lakeland 

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Argument Leads To Stabbing In Lakeland 

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Lakeland, Florida – On 09/05/2016 the defendant, Harry Johnson  and the victim, Terrance Hall were involved in a verbal altercation, which became a physical confrontation.  The victim walked away from the defendant to evade the altercation on several occasions.  Johnson walked into the Sunoco gas station and told the clerks behind the counter he was going to kill Hall.  Then Johnson ran outside of the Sunoco gas station approached the victim, while the victim was speaking to another person.  Johnson  brandished a knife at  Hall who attempted to run away from the Johnson.  The chase went across  the Sunoco parking lot. Johnson   cut the victim on the left side of Hall’s abdomen as the he was running. Hall fell to the ground by the diesel pumps of the Sunoco gas station.  Johnson stood over the victim and raised the knife as to stab the victim again.  A witness, Carl Tankersley ran over and got between Hall and Johnson  to stop him from stabbing the victim again. Tankerskey used his bicycle as a barrier between the victim and defendant.  Another witness, Peter Delavay ran to help the  Hall and hold pressure on the abdomen wound.  This incident was captured on the surveillance video
of the Sunoco gas station.

Law enforcement arrived and located the defendant, Harry Johnson in front of the Rent King which is located at 2610 Highway 92 East in Lakeland, Florida.  The defendant made spontaneous statements upon law enforcement’s arrival such as: “Put the handcuffs on
me.”  The defendant originally told responding deputies that he dropped the knife in front of the McDonald’s located at 2606 US Highway 92 East in Lakeland, Florida.  However, the defendant later gave consent to search his luggage to Deputy Sheriff Griffin,6202
and the knife used to cut the victim, Terrance Hall was located in the defendant’s luggage.  The knife still had dried blood on it.  The defendant was secured in a marked patrol car, then was transported to the Southwest District Command Center.  The defendant
made spontaneous statements to Deputy Sheriff Smith, 8093 while he was transporting the defendant to the Southwest District Command Center such as: “I got angry, walked over there, and cut his ass.”

The victim was not in possession of any weapons when he was transported to the Lakeland Regional
Medical Center.

After obtaining the defendant, Harry Johnson’s full taped confession, the defendant was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office bookin facility without incident.

 

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Bartow Man Found Dead At Lake Wales Mudhole

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Bartow Man Found Dead At Lake Wales Mudhole

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Lake Wales. Florida – On 09/03/2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and P.C.E.M.S. received a call in reference to an unresponsive male inside his vehicle at the Lake Wales Mud Hole. 

P.C.E.M.S. arrived on scene and determined the male subject, identified as Christopher MelsonOf Bartow, deceased at 1227 hours.

The reportee, stated he was trail riding with his family and drove up on a yellow Jeep Wrangler in the middle of a large mud hole.  He observed a white male sitting in the driver’s seat, slumped over the center console.  Cory stated the window on the driver door was down and the vehicle was running.  He thought the male subject was either sleeping or passed out.  He attempted to wake the male subject by shaking him.  He realized he was likely deceased.  He called 911.

Christopher Melson was located inside his yellow Jeep Wrangler, in a mud hole at the area of the 1800 block of Alturas Babson Park Cutoff Road known as the Lake Wales Mud Hole.  The vehicle was submerged over the tires, with the driver’s side window down.  The vehicle’s exhaust system was underwater and the vehicle was running at the time Law Enforcement and PCEMS responded.

Christopher Melson’s body was checked.  There were no signs of injury or trauma.

Interviews with: CJ Markley and Elizabeth Perigo – CJ was the decedent’s friend and Elizabeth was his girlfriend.  They stated they were all at the Brewlands bar in Lakeland last night.  Christopher left at approximately 2300 hours and said he was going to the mud hole.  They stated they received a telephone call from the decedent at approximately 0130 hours on 09/03/2016.  During the conversation the decedent advised his jeep was stuck and he needed to be pulled out.  He was at the Lake Wales Mud Hole. They were not familiar with the area but responded there to attempt to locate him.  They could not locate the decedent nor did they contact Law Enforcement.  They returned home and slept for a couple hours before returning to the mud hole.  When they arrived at the mud hole, law enforcement and E.M.S. were there.

On 9/5/2016 Medical Examiner Dr. Volnikh completed an autopsy of the decedent. There was no trauma noted to the decedent. She pended her determination of cause and manner of death for toxicology.

Man Gunned Down As He Chased Thief In Lakeland 

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Man Gunned Down As He Chased Thief In Lakeland 

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Update: Polk County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Charge Bartow Man with Murder of Jeffrey Morrow Jr.
25-year-old Victor Lemond Manns, Jr., Virginia Avenue, Bartow, has been charged with First Degree Murder, Armed Burglary of Conveyance, Robbery with Firearm, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, and Unlawful use of Two-Way Communication Device in connection to the shooting death of Jeffrey Morrow Jr. He was arrested during the early morning hours of Thursday, September 08, 2016.

– Original Article 

Lakeland, Florida – Around 9:45  p.m. on Sunday, September 4, 2016, the victim, 21-year-old Jeffrey Morrow, Jr., who recently moved to Polk County from Pennsylvania, accompanied a friend to the Family Dollar located at 1135 South Combee Road in Lakeland, so that the friend could sell an item he had advertised for sale online. The arrangement was to meet in that parking lot.

 
After the seller parked his truck, an unknown black male approached the vehicle, and during the transaction, the suspect snatched the item, and took off running.
 
Both the victims attempted to catch up to the suspect, when the seller heard gunshots. He crouched behind the truck, then looked under it and saw Jeff Morrow laying on the ground. The seller ran into the Family Dollar and called 911. Morrow was taken to LRHMC, where he was pronounced deceased.
 
The suspect, described as a black male in his 20s, wearing a white or light gray zipped up hooded jacket, a red shirt, and white sneakers, was last seen running through the Marathon Gas station parking lot just north of the Family Dollar.

 
Detectives are actively investigating this homicide, and are seeking any information about this crime. If you have information about this investigation, please call PCSO at 863-298-6200. Or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Anonymity is Guaranteed!

PCSO Recover Body Of Missing 18 Yr. Old In Peace River

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PCSO Recover Body Of Missing 18 Yr. Old In Peace River

UPDATE: PCSO has recovered Austin Welch’s body in the Peace River. He was trapped by debris near where he was last seen by his mother, not far away from where he went under (a couple hundred yards from the dock where they all went in).

An autopsy will be conducted to determine his cause of death but it appears he drowned.

Please keep his family in your prayers.
—

PCSO is conducting a search and rescue mission on the Peace River this afternoon. Preliminary information so far is as follows:
This morning, 35-year-old Barbara Engles of  West Vine Street in Bartow and her two children, 11-year-old Crystal Droze and 18-year-old Austin Welch, both of the same address, went fishing on the Peace River, at the Peace River Canoe Launch / boat ramp located off of SR 60 in Bartow.

At some point this morning, Crystal was standing on the dock, and cast her line, losing her footing and falling into the water. Her brother Austin jumped in after her to save her. Mom Barbara also jumped in to save both kids. The water was fairly deep, and the current was and is still running very fast.

Barbara and Crystal were able to grab each other – Barbara grabbed Austin’s shirt but he was swept away. Barbara and Crystal were able to grab some grass, and pull themselves to shore. Barbara ran out to SR 60 to flag someone down for help.

PCSO arrived on-scene around 11:30 a.m. this morning. FWC also arrived on-scene to assist in the search. Polk Fire EMS is also on-scene. All three agencies are working to locate Austin.

Due to weather, the PCSO helicopter was only able to fly a short amount of time early on during the search. Now FWC has an airplane flying overhead. Between the two agencies we have several boats in the water, and we are utilizing a side-scan sonar.

Anyone who sees Austin is urged to contact PCSO immediately – we are hoping he was able to make it out of the water and might be walking in the area.

Austin is described as a white male, 6′ tall, 175 lbs., with shoulder-length black hair dyed red in some places. He was last seen wearing a Batman tank top, blue jeans, and brown boat shoes. He has a tattoo on his right shoulder of a broken heart. An April Facebook profile picture is attached – his mother advises his hair is longer now.

PCSO will remain on-scene until Austin is found. Anyone who sees Austin is urged to contact PCSO immediately at 863-298-6200.

Bartow Elementary School Teacher Arrested For Alleged Domestic Violence 

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Bartow Elementary School Teacher Arrested For Alleged Domestic Violence 

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Winter Haven, Florida – On September 2, 2016, PCSO deputies arrested 41-year-old Jennifer Jimenez of Winter Haven, who is a kindergarten teacher at Gibbons Street Elementary school in Bartow, and charged her with one count Battery Domestic Violence. 

The following is an excerpt from the affidavit, and is self-explanatory:

The victim, Jennifer’s husband Sergio, reports two weeks ago, he and his wife were arguing when the suspect became angry and pushed him backwards with her hands.  She then slapped him on the head and punched him in
the ribs.  The victim stated when the suspect gets mad she will hit him in the head and punch him every time. The victim stated last week during an argument she was going to stab him until he was dead. The victim stated the suspect’s actions towards him are
against his will and he is tired of her hitting him when she gets mad.

The victim provided a sworn written statement and refused medical attention.

The suspect advised she and her husband did get into a verbal altercation. She stated the victim then got up in her face during the arguments and she pushed him away from her. She stated she never told the victim she was going
to stab or kill him. 
The investigation is ongoing. 

Apparent Suicide Reported As Cause For Closure Of Capps Rd. Friday Night 

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Apparent Suicide Reported As Cause For Closure Of Capps Rd. Friday Night 

​Lake Wales, Florida – A 27 Yr. Old Winter Haven man found dead of apparent suicide. Around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept 2, 2016, witnesses saw a black 2005 Chevrolet Impala driving erratically and swerving heading northbound on Capps Road, just south of Spring Road in Lake Wales. The car then launched into the air and struck
a barbed wire fence, and coasted to a stop in a pasture. Witnesses saw the driver slumped over in the driver’s seat, and approached him, and observed a head wound. They administered first aid while calling for help. When Polk Fire EMS arrived on scene they located a .45 caliber handgun in the driver’s lap, and an apparent gunshot wound to the driver’s head.  The driver was taken to Lake Wales Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office the deceased has been identified as 27-year-old Adam Creel of  Cavalier Road, Winter Haven. An autopsy will be conducted this weekend, however, due to statements by family members, evidence at the scene, and personal history of the decedent, it is apparent that he committed suicide. 

 

PCSO Detectives Charge Lakeland Man with Sexual Battery on Minor, Impregnating 14-Year-Old Girl

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PCSO Detectives Charge Lakeland Man with Sexual Battery on Minor, Impregnating 14-Year-Old Girl
PCSO Detectives Charge Lakeland Man with Sexual Battery on Minor, Impregnating 14-Year-Old Girl
 cano
On September 1, 2016, PCSO Special Victims Unit detectives arrested 32-year-old Imeldo Cano (DOB 12/22/1982), of Pirates Way in Lakeland, for four counts Sexual Battery on a Minor Between 12-17 Years Old (F-1), and one count Person Over 21 Years Old Impregnating Child Under 16 Years Old (F-3), after Cano sexually molested and impregnated a 14-year-old girl with whom he had access.

The following is an excerpt from the affidavit, and is self-explanatory:

The suspect, Imeldo Cano (H/M 32yoa), did knowingly, intentionally and unlawfully violate FSS 794.011 (5c) Sexual Battery (4cts) by making the victim, REDACTED*,engage in sexual intercourse against her will. The suspect additionally violated FSS 827.04 (3) Contributing to the delinquency of a Minor by Impregnating (1ct), by impregnating the victim, who is 3 ½ months pregnant and reported the suspect is the only person with whom she has had sexual intercourse.

The victim was taken to her pediatrician by REDACTED, after experiencing abdominal pains. An ultrasound was conducted, which revealed the victim was 3 ½ months pregnant. The victim disclosed she was pregnant by the suspect, Imeldo Cano. The victim disclosed the suspect made her engage in sexual intercourse on four separate occasions since February 2015. The victim stated these incidents would take place in the suspect’s bedroom, REDACTED. The victim stated the suspect would bring her in the room and lock the door so REDACTED did not see what was happening.

During a Post-Miranda interview, Cano confessed to engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim on four separate occasions since February of 2015. The suspect confessed he knew the victim was 13 years old at the time he first engaged in sexual intercourse with her. The suspect stated a couple times he did not use a condom, but the other two times he did use a condom. The suspect was asked if he felt it was right for him to have sex with a 14-year-old girl and stated, “No.”

Cano has been booked into the Polk County Jail on the aforementioned charges, and will have a first appearance hearing at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon (September 2, 2016). He is being housed in the South County Jail. He has one prior arrest in Polk County, for driving without a valid license.

*Per Florida State Statute 119.071: (h)1. The following criminal intelligence information or criminal investigative information is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s.24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution: b. Any information that may reveal the identity of a person who is a victim of any sexual offense, including a sexual offense proscribed in s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g), chapter 794, chapter 796, chapter 800, chapter 827, or chapter 847.

Knights of Columbus Council 7091 Donate Televisions To Haines City Seniors

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Knights of Columbus Council 7091 Donate Televisions To Haines City Seniors

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Haines City, Florida – Improving the lives of people by performing acts of charity is what the Knights of Columbus Council is all about.

Knights of Columbus Council 7091 of Cypress Gardens demonstrated its commitment to charity in a big way by recently donating a dozen televisions to the Haines City Health Center in Haines City. This random act of charity has reaped huge dividends by bringing joy to seniors who reside in the 120-bed skilled nursing facility.

One of these residents is “Cornelia,” who derives plenty of enjoyment from one of the donated TVs which makes it possible for her to watch her favorite programs each and every day in the privacy of her own room.
“Cornelia is one of our Spanish-speaking residents who appreciates her TV very much because it allows her to enjoy Spanish language shows and also keep up with the news,” said Debby Rayfield, activities director at the health care facility.

“We thank the Knights of Columbus for donating these TVs. They are very
popular with our residents because they allow them to rest and relax while enjoying their favorite programs,” Rayfield added. Echoing this view was Tom Glass, administrator of the center which provides long term care for its residents and rehabilitation services for people who reside in Haines City and nearby communities.

The televisions donated to the Haines City Health Center were originally used as monitors for a charity Bingo program run by Knights of Columbus Council 7091 for many years in the former Red Lobster restaurant building in downtown Winter Haven. The council decided to donate the TVs to a worthy charity rather than sell them when they had to be removed from the former Bingo hall due to the recent sale of the building.
The council chose the Haines City Health Care Center as the recipient based on a recommendation by knight Tom Habina who was lavish in his praise of the care received at the facility by a close relative. Habina and fellow knights Billy Bob Morris, Sal Porta and George Marhefka personally delivered the televisions to the center.

“We are delighted with the outcome of this charitable gesture. It is very
rewarding to us as a council, especially when you see the joy it is bringing to so many senior citizens,” said Marhefka during a recent visit to the center in his role as the
council’s Grand Knight.

The TV charitable initiative is the latest example of K of C Council 7091’s
outreach to the Polk County community. The council provided financial support for a program at St. Matthew Church that equipped needy Polk County students with essential school supplies and donated funds raised through its annual Tootsie Roll Drive to Polk County Special Olympics and the Achievement Academy.

Auburndale Man Arrested & Charged With Lewd Exhibition & Lewd Conduct

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Auburndale Man Arrested & Charged With Lewd Exhibition & Lewd Conduct

859b86ab-3fe5-4631-a5e3-9536e3de6d6bAuburndale, Florida – On Wednesday, August 31, 2016, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 50-year-old Duane Patten of Auburndale charging him with two counts of Lewd Exhibition and two counts of Lewd Conduct.
At approximately 7:00 pm, on Wednesday, August 3rd, Patten was home alone with two children he had access to – both children were under the age of 14. As the children were in the bathroom preparing for a shower, Patten walked in while the children were undressed and began talking about being a nudist with the children.
According to the arrest affidavit: “After the victims finished taking a shower, the suspect again entered the bathroom and offered to pay them both $5 dollars each if they could tear his shorts off his body. The suspect was not wearing any underwear and when the victims ripped his pants it exposed his buttocks. The suspect continued to ask the victims to pull on his pants and when they did it exposed his penis to the victims.

The suspect then entered his bedroom and removed his shorts and returned to the victims completely naked. The suspect exposed his penis to the victims and again talked to them about being a nudist. The victims advised the suspect’s penis and testicles had silver ring piercings. The victims asked the suspect about his piercings and he told them he had them because he liked going to nude beaches and likes people to see his piercings. During this incident, the witness and mother of the victims, (Redacted), called the victims cell phone and overheard the suspect talking to the victims about being a nudist, his piercings, and about the victim’s breasts.”
As the investigation continued, detectives learned Patten had told the victims that they “had fun” the day of the incident and told the children not to tell their parents what occurred. He also gave the children $10 dollars and asked the victims to “meditate” naked with him – they refused.
During an interview with Patten on August 31st, Patten admitted he “bet” the victim’s they couldn’t rip off his shorts, and that he had exposed his penis to the victims and talked to them about his piercings and being a nudist.
Patten is currently in the Polk County jail on no bond.

Suspect Chose Wrong House In Winter Haven To Rob

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Suspect Chose Wrong House In Winter Haven To Rob

SanWinter Haven, Florida – A Winter Haven man chose the wrong residence to attempt to steal clothes from.

On 8-31-16 at approximately 5:15 a.m., 42 year-old Adrian SanJavier (DOB 5-17-74, Rochelle Dr., Winter Haven) entered the porch of Quinton Jackson (Ave F, SW, Winter Haven) and started taking clothes off of the porch. Jackson, who was getting ready for work, heard his dog barking frantically, which was out of the ordinary.

Upon opening the front door, Jackson saw SanJavier run out of the porch door. Jackson called police while he chased SanJavier and at one point, SanJavier turned and swung at Jackson. Jackson was able to duck and was not struck. However, this enabled Jackson to tackle SanJavier and a physical altercation ensued. Jackson was able to keep SanJavier in check until law enforcement arrived.

Due to his injuries, SanJavier was taken to Winter Haven Hospital where he was treated and then booked into the Polk County Jail. Jackson did not need medical attention.
SanJavier was charged with Burglary to an Occupied Dwelling (F2) and Petit Theft (M1).

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