The Officer-Involved Deadly Incident (OIDI) task force for the 10th Judicial Circuit is investigating a deputy-involved shooting and violent domestic battery investigation that occurred on Saturday, November 9, 2024.
At approximately 6:50 AM, PCSO was dispatched to a domestic battery call in the Eagle Lake area of Polk County. The victim, a 61-year-old female, reported that she was being violently beaten by her husband, Charles Franklin Edwards Jr. (DOB 1/3/1972). The 9-1-1 operator could hear Edwards beating the victim, and the victim was begging the operator for help.
When D/S Christopher Johnston arrived on scene, he heard the victim screaming for help. When he went inside, he saw the suspect attacking the victim with a large hammer. Johnston gave multiple commands to Edwards to drop the weapon and surrender, which he ignored. D/S Johnston then deployed his Taser. The suspect pulled out the Taser probes and aggressively ran towards D/S Johnston with the hammer raised and attempted to strike our deputy. D/S Johnston was forced to shoot at the violent and enraged suspect who was struck at least two times. Deputies performed life-saving measures until Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene.
Both the suspect and victim were transported to the hospital. The suspect was declared deceased at the hospital. The victim is being treated for significant injuries and is expected to survive.
Charles Edwards Jr. has an extensive criminal history dating back to 2003 in the states of Tennessee, Michigan, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. His prior charges include:
Possession with intent to sell narcotics (WV, MI and TN)
Resisting arrest (MI)
Assault (MI x2)
Tampering with evidence (MI)
Obstructing law enforcement (MI)
Escape/flight from law enforcement (MI)
“Domestic violence calls are one of the most dangerous situations law enforcement officers respond to. This is a sobering reminder of how dangerous domestic violence calls can end. This violent, enraged suspect was intent on killing his wife and was prevented from doing so by our deputy. We are praying for the victim to recover from her significant injuries.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
D/S Johnston has been with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for 7 years.
Per standard protocol, there are four investigations currently underway: an independent investigation by the 10th Judicial Circuit’s Officer Involved Deadly Incident (OIDI) Task Force; an internal investigation by the PCSO Administrative Investigations Unit; the Polk County Medical Examiner conducts the autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death; and all investigative findings are forwarded to the 10th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office for their investigation and review.
Polk County Deputy Involved Shooting Leaves One Suspect Dead & Victim Hospitalized
58 Yr Old Lakeland Resident Killed In Semi Vs Sedan Crash In Lakeland
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on Friday, November 8, 2024, at approximately 12:40 PM. The two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of Old Soldier Road and Highway 98 North in Lakeland, and involved a semi-truck and a sedan (Toyota Corolla).
PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene. The Florida Department of transportation also responded to assist in shutting down all lanes of Highway 98 North. The road was closed at approximately 12:40 PM and remained closed for about 5 hours, until 6:00 PM.
The stretch of Highway 98 North on which the crash occurred is currently under construction. The semi-truck was carrying a trailer of metal pipes from a construction area and was executing a left turn from Old Soldier Road in to the northbound lanes of Highway 98 North. The Toyota Corolla was travelling south on Highway 98 North and collided with the rear end of the semi-truck while it was executing its turn. The driver of the Toyota, a 58-year old from Lakeland, was killed.
The PCSO Traffic Homicide detectives responded to the scene assumed the investigation. The Traffic Homicide Unit investigates all fatal crashes. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Father & Bystander Desperately Tried To Save Child Trapped In Burning Car After Lakeland Crash
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a single-vehicle crash that occurred at the intersection of Lake Parker Drive East and Broadway Street in Lakeland, Florida. The crash occurred on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at approximately 5 PM, and resulted in three injuries and one fatality.
The single vehicle (a white Kia sedan) had three occupants, the driver, a 30-year old from Winter Haven, and his two young children. It appears the car was traveling west on Broadway Street, towards the intersection with Lake Parker Drive East. The car travelled through the intersection, into a grassy, wooded area and collided with a tree. The car caught fire, and Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene.
A witness and the driver attempted to extricate the children from the back seat of the car. One was successfully extricated, but the other child tragically died in the fire. The driver and the surviving child were taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. The witness who helped at the scene was also taken to the hospital to be treated for burns sustained while helping pull the occupants out of the car.
PCSO Traffic Homicide detectives respond to all fatal crashes. They are investigating the crash. The investigation is still ongoing at this time.
8 Foot Wide By 20 Foot Deep Sinkhole Opens In Highland City Homes Front Yard
A sinkhole appeared in the front yard of a Royal Crest Drive home in Highland City yesterday. The same home experienced a sinkhole earlier this year.
Wednesday afternoon, homeowners called 9-1-1 when they noticed an opening near their driveway. The sinkhole is currently about 8 feet wide by 20 feet deep and is located on their lawn about halfway between the road and the home. Polk County Fire Rescue, Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County’s Emergency Management and Roads and Drainage divisions responded. First responders cordoned off the sinkhole and monitored it for changes.
The sinkhole does not appear to be impacting the home’s foundation. Emergency officials explained to residents the decision to stay in the home or go elsewhere was up to them.
Director of Polk County Roads and Drainage Division, Jay Jarvis said, “We filled a sinkhole at this location back in January because the right-of-way was impacted. The new opening is essentially right next to the previous sinkhole. Anytime there’s an opening or sinkhole and you fill it, there is a possibility things can shift or reopen.”
Polk County is currently working with a geo-technical firm to assess the sinkhole in relation to the home and right-of-way, and to fill it in. The roadway remains open.
“Because of the recurrence and the proximity to the initial sinkhole, the county will address it,” said Jarvis.
The sinkhole that occurred in January was approximately 15 feet wide by 60 feet deep; The opening did encroach into public right-of-way, and in response, the county hired contractors to fill it with sand and clay.
Polk County Massage Parlors Raided – Multiple Prostitution Arrests
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit conducted a two-day undercover operation beginning Monday, November 4, 2024, which resulted in the arrest of 21 individuals.
Undercover detectives went to various massage parlors in the Davenport, Dundee, Lakeland, and Winter Haven areas of Polk County to purchase lawful massages from licensed massage therapists. During these massages, twenty of the massage therapists offered to commit sexual acts for money during the sessions. One suspect, Jinxia Huang, battered the undercover detective when he denied her advances. Another suspect, Xiu Lin, was arrested outside of a massage parlor for resisting arrest due to interfering while detectives placed another woman under arrest for prostitution.
“We want our communities to be safe and free from illegal activities, and criminals who take advantage of people. These arrests are part of our ongoing efforts to hold those who break the law accountable. We’re focused on keeping our neighborhoods safe, and we’ll keep cracking down on businesses that operate outside the law.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The suspects arrested in this case and their charges are as follows:
ARRESTED AT XI XI SPA, 7554 Cypress Gardens Blvd:
- Qiuhua Zhang (10/14/1974) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2), and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
- Jinxia Huang (5/23/1987) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2), Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1), Battery (M1), and False Imprisonment (F3)
ARRESTED AT NEW COAST SPA, 28079 U.S. Hwy 27:
- Rose Wang Walker (3/28/1963) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2). She told deputies that she is the owner of the business.
- Hongxin Yang (7/8/1970) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
ARRESTED AT QUEEN DAY SPA, 1947 21st Street NW:
- Qui Qiaojun (9/19/1993) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
- Li An (2/8/1973) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
ARRESTED AT HEALTH ASIAN MASSAGE, 1222 6TH Street NW:
- Shuangyan Hu (6/11/1983) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
- Xuekun Lin (11/18/1974) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
ARRESTED AT SHANGRILA MASSAGE, 1134 1st Street South:
- Ying Lin (1/11/1976) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
- Xiu Lin (9/6/1969) – Charged with two counts of Resisting Arrest (M1)
ARRESTED AT NEW ORIENTAL MASSAGE, 6000 Lucerne Park Road:
- Baohua Zhang (12/10/1972) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2). She told deputies that she is the owner of the business.
ARRESTED AT TOP OASIS SPA, 1975 E Edgewood Drive:
- Yanfei Ye (3/27/1971) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
- Ruifen Ren (9/2/1960) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
ARRESTED AT I-SPA MASSAGE, 1114 Mayflower Drive:
- Shixin Zhang (5/23/1968) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
ARRESTED AT OCEAN MASSAGE STAR, 127 Alamo Drive East:
- Hong Xia Sok (8/27/1974) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Resisting Arrest (M1)
- Yihua Yu (12/4/1981) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Lewd Behavior (M2)
ARRESTED AT LUCKY ASIAN MASSAGE, 3234 S Florida Avenue:
- Zhuling Liu (6/1/1962) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
- Fenghua Jiang (5/6/1966) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
ARRESTED AT EASTERN MASSAGE, 105 Allamanda Drive:
- Yan Luo (9/9/1960) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
- Jinfeng Mu (11/29/1964) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2). She was arrested in a similiar operation in December 2023.
ARRESTED AT SUN SPA, 110 Polo Park East:
- Yuling Zhang Collins (3/29/1967) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
Anyone with information about illegal activities or suspected human trafficking occurring in a Polk County massage parlor business is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS (8477) or visit www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com & click the “Submit a Tip” tab. Citizens may also download the P3TIPS app on their cell phone or mobile device.
Vertical Construction Completed On New $109 Million Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital
Orlando Health team members, Polk County officials and community members celebrated a major milestone during a Topping Out Ceremony held at the Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital construction site, near the corner of the Polk County Parkway and Lakeland Highlands Road today.
The group gathered to sign the final beam, just before it was hoisted by a crane and swung into place. The celebration commemorates the end of vertical construction on the 7-story facility
When the Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital opens in 2026, it will open with 302 inpatient beds. That’s more than double the originally announced opening bed count of 136 beds.
“Following additional review, Orlando Health determined that it can best meet the healthcare needs of the Lakeland and greater Polk County communities by opening a hospital with more inpatient capacity than we originally announced,” said Jamal Hakim, MD, COO, Orlando Health. “As one of the state’s fastest growing communities, Orlando Health recognizes that it needs to accelerate its delivery of high-quality, outcomes-based healthcare to these communities. We are excited about our revised plan and its many benefits for the community.”
In addition to the increased bed count, on opening day, the hospital will also feature nearly 30 ICU/progressive care rooms, 16 patient rooms to support a women’s birthing program, shelled space for a future neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a 48-bed emergency department and additional medical and support services including imaging, lab, pharmacy, dining and gift shop, among others.
“Located at the southeast corner where the Polk Parkway meets Lakeland Highlands Road, the Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital will be a stunning 7-story facility set on an attractive, welcoming campus,” said Matt Taylor, senior vice president of asset strategy for Orlando Health. “Our goal is to always provide convenient access to the healthcare services so greatly needed by the community, on a campus our patients and visitors can easily navigate and use.”
The hospital, which is approved for up to 360 beds, is slated for a summer 2026 opening.
Lakeland Man Who Allegedly Stabbed His Wife To Death Claims She Was Acting Erratic
LAKELAND, FL (November 6, 2024) – On November 5, 2024, at 6:32 a.m. the Lakeland Police Department responded to a residence on North Fork Drive for a stabbing which just occurred. The 911 call was placed by Deljie Tyson, age 50, who was at the residence. Tyson told dispatchers he just stabbed his wife, Sandra Green, age 46, during an altercation where he claimed she was acting erratic.
Tyson was still at the scene when officers arrived, and Green was found in the residence on the kitchen floor with numerous apparent stab wounds to her upper body. Two knives and a handgun were located nearby in the kitchen, however, it did not appear the gun had been fired during the altercation. Tyson also suffered stab wound to his arm and a small cut on his finger.
Polk County Fire Rescue and the Lakeland Fire Department arrived on scene to provide life-saving measures for Green. Both Green and Tyson were transported to Lakeland Regional Health. Medical professionals pronounced Green deceased a short time later. During treatment it was discovered that Green suffered more than 20 stab wounds. Tyson was treated for a minor injury and taken into custody by Lakeland Police.
Detectives and Forensic Technicians responded to investigate and process the scene. Based on evidence gathered, Tyson was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder with a Weapon. Tyson retained legal counsel and refused to speak with detectives about the details of the incident.
The investigation remains active for compete processing of the evidence. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Troy Smith at [email protected].
Amendment 3 Recreational Marijuana Falls Short Of 60% In Polk County & In Florida
Amendment 3, which proposed to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in Florida, failed to pass in the 2024 election.
Although a majority of voters supported the mesure, it fell short of the 60% supermajority required to amend the state constitution. The initiative aimed to allow adults 21 and older to use, purchase, and possess marijuana. Its defeat maintains the current restrictions, with legal
cannabis use limited to approved medical
purposes within Florida.
By a little after 8:15 p.m., the amendment had received about 56% support, a simple majority, but below the 60% needed for passage.
Polk County only pulled 52% yes votes to legalize Marijuana.
We will update as more details emerge.
Melony Bell Wins Supervisor Of Elections Ousting Lori Edwards
Melony Bell, a former Florida state representative, will win Supervisor of Elections in Polk County.
After serving in the Florida House and with previous experience in county government, she brings a strong background in public service to the supervisors office. Bell has expressed a commitment to ensuring the security and transparency of the election process if elected.
Bell ousted current supervisor of elections Lori Edwards. It’s been a very long successful career as the supervisor. Edwards was in the position since 2000.
Melony Bell has a substantial political history in Polk County, Florida, where she’s held multiple public offices over the years.
Here’s a brief overview:
County Commissioner (2006-2018):
Bell began her local political career as a Polk County Commissioner, serving for 12 years. In this role, she was responsible for various aspects of county government, including budget oversight, infrastructure projects, and local policy development.
State Representative (2018-2022):
Bell was then elected to the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 56. As a state legislator, she focused on issues important to her constituents, including agriculture, water quality, public safety, and local government affairs. During her tenure, she sponsored legislation relevant to rural communities and agriculture, which are key areas in her district.
Here are unofficial results :
Melony Bell (REP)
53.94% with 179,712 votes
Lori Edwards (NPA)
46.06% with 153,446 votes
Amendment 4 Abortion Rights Initiative Falls Short Of 60% Super Majority
Amendment 4 in Florida, which sought to protect abortion rights up to the point of fetal viability, was placed on the November 2024 ballot. If passed, the amendment would have added protections to the state constitution to limit government interference in abortion access before viability or in cases where the patient’s health is at risk. However, Amendment 4 did not pass as it failed to reach the required 60% supermajority needed for constitutional amendments in Florida.
The amendment faced significant opposition from anti-abortion groups and political figures, including Governor Ron DeSantis. These opponents argued that the measure would override Florida’s existing six-week abortion ban, which had already faced legal challenges. This led to a politically charged campaign environment, with high-profile advocates and lawsuits on both sides of the issue.
Despite substantial funding and advocacy for the measure, the Florida electorate ultimately did not grant it the necessary support for enactment.
We will update when all ballots are counted, but it would appear the measure failed by only garnering 57% of the 60% needed. It does however send a message to legislators that the majority are not happy with the very restrictive laws, which give little room to have an abortion even for the health of the mother.
