
Red Flag Warning Issued For Polk

Davenport/Loughman Area PCSO Investigating Accident Involving School Bus

UPDATE:
- 12 students from the bus
- 3 patients from the other vehicles involved
Original Release:
PCSO is investigating a traffic crash on Ronald Regan Parkway at Champions Gate Blvd in the Davenport/Loughman area, involving a Polk County school bus and other vehicles.
The bus has students on it but only minor injuries have been reported so far.
Polk Fire Rescue can confirm we are transporting a total of 11 patients (9 from the school bus).
The crash occurred at 3:30 p.m.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office will issue updates about the crash once the information becomes available.
The crash occurred at 3:30 p.m.
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Polk County Sheriff’s Office Arrests 17 Suspects During Undercover Heroin Trafficking Investigation
| Polk County Sheriff’s Office Arrests 17 Suspects During Undercover Heroin Trafficking Investigation |
Polk County Sheriff’s undercover detectives, working with the Lakeland Police Department, and the Office of the State Attorney, 10th Judicial Circuit, Brian Haas, arrested 17 people during a three-month-long investigation into heroin trafficking, some of whom detectives are seeking a federal indictment against in heroin overdose-related deaths (see infomation at end of news release). Of the 17 suspects arrested, there are 51 felony and 27 misdemeanor charges filed. Over 600 grams of heroin was seized (street value $72,000); over 5 pounds of marijuana was seized; 6 firearms were seized; $23,000 cash was seized for forfeiture; and 5 suspected heroin deaths are related to this investigation. “There has been a disturbing rise nationwide in deaths associated with heroin and fentanyl. Our deputies are working hard to put these heroin dealers behind bars through proactive investigations. It is also our mission to hold those accountable for each and every heroin overdose death that we can link back to the sale of heroin.” Grady Judd, Sheriff
In February 2017: PCSO undercover detectives responded to suspect heroin dealer 28-year-old Antonorio Nelson’s house, at 1124 Innwood Lane in Lakeland, and found 74 individual bags of heroin ready for sale (approximately .08 – .1 grams each), hydrocodone pills, MDMA (ecstasy) pills, a loaded “38 special” revolver, and a digital scale. Nelson was on house arrest for sale/manufacture of MDMA, and not scheduled to be released until May 2018. His girlfriend, 21-year-old Termarald Redding, lives in the house with him and a small child. The drugs and loaded gun were easily available for the child to access. Detectives arrested:
Nelson’s criminal history includes: trafficking in heroin, trafficking in meth, sale of meth, possession of meth with intent to sell, possession of MDMA with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, resisting arrest, trespassing, giving false name to LEO, DWLSR, FTA, and VOP.
In March 2017: PCSO undercover detectives responded to suspected heroin dealer 26-year-old Trenard Butler’s house, at 218 Fox Drive in Lakeland, and observed Butler leaving the house with his girlfriend, 30-year-old Brittany McCormick. Butler had four active Polk County warrants for his arrest at the time. Detectives conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle they were in, and observed 4.9 grams of Heroin sitting in plain view on the center console. During a search of the residence, detectives found 20 MDMA (ecstasy) pills, marijuana, and paraphernalia (scale, Ziploc baggies, glass pipe). The following people were arrested at this house:
Butler’s criminal history includes: possession of heroin with intent to sell, possession of meth, possession of structure for drug trafficking, paraphernalia, battery, battery domestic violence, fleeing to elude, resisting arrest, child neglect, disorderly conduct, no valid DL, DWLSR, FTA, and VOP. He’s been to state prison twice.
McCormick’s criminal history includes: DWLSR, and FTA. PCSO undercover detectives identified 28-year-old Christopher Walton as a heroin dealer. They responded to his home, located at 2242 Bordeau Court #1 in Lakeland and served a search warrant, during which they found over 50 grams of heroin (packaged in individual bags for sale – street value approximately $10,000), two semi-automatic pistols, an AR-15 assault rifle with two fully-loaded magazines, paraphernalia (grinder with cocaine residue), and $2,570.00 in cash. Walton told detectives that although he is a convicted felon, he keeps firearms in the house for protection against being robbed. Another couple who have a small child also live in the home, and also had drugs and a firearm in their bedroom. The following people were arrested at this house:
Walton’s criminal history includes: possession of MDMA, oxycodone, marijuana, heroin trafficking, meth trafficking, possession of paraphernalia, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharge firearm in a public place, open carry firearm, battery on LEO, resisting arrest, DWLSR habitual, FTA, and VOP. He’s been to state prison once.
Williams’ criminal history includes: possession of MDMA, possession of paraphernalia, aggravated battery, possession of firearm by convicted felon, shooting into dwelling, carrying concealed weapon, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, assault, disturbing the peace, burglary, grand theft, corruption, battery on LEO, trespassing, hit and run, no valid DL, FTA and VOP. He’s been to state prison once.
PCSO undercover detectives identified 31-year-old Tonyo Evans as a known heroin supplier, and purchased 500 individual bags of heroin ready for sale (approximately .08 – .1 grams each) for $4,000.00. Detectives also served a search warrant at his home where he lives with his girlfriend, 27-year-old Kayla Jenkins, located at 3929 K-Ville Avenue in Auburndale, and found oxycodone and hydrocodone pills, and grinders and bags with heroin residue. Horace Martinwas with Evans during the drug sales. The following people were arrested at this house:
Evans’ criminal history includes: possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, fleeing to elude, tampering with evidence, gambling, aggravated battery, possession of firearm/ammo by convicted felon, remove serial number from firearm, resisting arrest, giving false ID to LEO, DWLSR, FTA and VOP. He’s been to state prison twice.
Martin’s criminal history includes: possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of controlled substance, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, shooting into dwelling, violation of injunction for protection, battery domestic violence, criminal mischief, DWLSR, and FTA. In April 2017: PCSO undercover detectives identified 31-year-old Naboris Lampkin and 22-year-old Ladarius Oglesby as known heroin suppliers, and purchased 500 individual bags of heroin ready for sale (approximately .08 – .1 grams each) from Lampkin, and 89 bags from Oglesby. Detectives arrested:
Oglesby’s criminal history includes: aggravated assault, shooting into dwelling/vehicle, armed trespassing, grand theft of motor vehicle, battery, possession of controlled substance, FTA, and VOP.
Detectives have a warrant for:
Lampkin’s criminal history includes: possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, fleeing to elude, resisting arrest, battery on LEO, grand theft of motor vehicle, reckless driving, DWLSR, and VOP. While searching for Lampkin to serve his arrest warrant, detectives responded to the Emma Street / Swindell Road area of Lakeland and met with three people at a storage facility. While there, they detected the strong odor of raw marijuana. Detectives obtained and executed a search warrant, and seized three pounds of marijuana within the storage unit, and $10,955.00 cash, along with a Kevlar vest. Detectives arrested three suspects -25-year-old Jeffry Negula of Tampa, 28-year-old Hocesly Leger of Port St. Lucie, and Obed Edmond of Tallahassee. Negula was charged with: possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of paraphernalia, maintaining structure for drug sales; Leger & Edmond were charged with: possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of paraphernalia.
PCSO undercover detectives identified 31-year-old Timothy Brooks as a known heroin supplier, and purchased 500 individual bags of heroin ready for sale (approximately .08 – .1 grams each). He had an active Polk County warrant for his arrest, for trafficking in heroin. During a previous drug transaction, Brooks had a 5-year-old boy in the car. During this most recent transaction, he arrived at the prearranged meeting place with his girlfriend, 18-year-old Tatiana Rodman, in her car, where they made two drug sales with undercover detectives. During a search of their vehicle, detectives seized 700 baggies of heroin totaling 171 grams. Detectives arrested:
Brooks’ criminal history includes: heroin trafficking, cocaine possession, possession of oxycodone, paraphernalia, possession of vehicle for drug trafficking, possession of short-barreled shotgun, possession of weapon/ammo by convicted felon, marijuana with intent to sell, resisting arrest, attempt to destroy evidence, giving false ID to LEO, DWLSR, petit theft, FTA, and VOP. He’s been to state prison twice.
PCSO undercover detectives served a search warrant at 2490 Chestnut Woods Drive in Lakeland, occupied by 31-year-old Christopher Barnes, and 20-year-old Ke’Yhana Odom. During a search of the home, detectives found marijuana in Barnes’ bedroom, and several bags of heroin in Odom’s bedroom. Detectives arrested:
Barnes’ criminal history includes: possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, resisting arrest, DUI, giving false info to LEO, DWLSR, FTA, and VOP. PCSO undercover detectives served a search warrant at 2482 Chestnut Woods Drive in Lakeland, occupied by 26-year-old Julius Dixon. During a search of the home, detectives found two semi-automatic firearms (one of which had the serial number removed), a bag of heroin, marijuana, a digital scale, and hydrocodone pills. Detectives arrested:
Dixon’s criminal history includes: battery domestic violence, burglary, larceny, grand theft, and VOP.
DEATHS: So far in 2017, there have been eight (8) deaths in unincorporated Polk County, suspected of being caused by heroin overdoses – all of those autopsies are pending toxicology. Of those eight deaths, PCSO detective believe five (5) are directly related to the aforementioned people arrested during this investigation. Detectives believe Ladarius Oglesby, Trenard Butler, and Antonorio Nelson sold heroin to these five people who died from suspected heroin overdoses: Justiss Arrington, Yusuf Ali Chaudhry, Tammy Crum, Blanca Jimenez, and Rodney Sewell. Preliminary information about those 5 deaths (in order of date of death) are as follows: 63-year-old Rodney Sewell, 6231 Sweetwater Drive, Lakeland
22-year-old Justiss Arrington, 2127 Dillie Street, Lakeland
31-year-old Yusuf Chaudhry, 1937 High Glen Ct, Lakeland
55-year-old Blanca Jimenez, 2635 Crutchfield Road, Lakeland
35-year-old Tammy Crum, 210 Snively Ave, Lakeland
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UPDATE: Frostproof Suspect Arrested Yesterday After Fleeing
Atta boy, Winton! Yesterday in Frostproof, Jimmie Balfour decided to flee on foot from a traffic crash. Jimmie must not be a fan of our FB page, because everyone here knows that our K9s find people.
Master Deputy Ard let Winton take a whiff of the driver’s seat, and then Winton started to track! His nose led him through an orange grove, and into a neighborhood, across Stewart, then North Ave, then Harrell. Winton went right to a house on Harrell Ave and told Ard, “He’s in here.”
Sure enough, Jimmie was in there, hiding. He came out and was taken to jail, for driving while license suspended, fleeing the scene, and resisting arrest.

Lake Wales Police Need Help Identifying This Suspect

On February 16, 2017 an unidentified white male entered Lowes, located at 23227 HWY 27 in Lake Wales. The suspect selected a Troy Built self-propelled lawn mower, placed it in a shopping cart, and attempted to return the item for a refund. When the clerk would not complete the exchange the suspect took the lawn mower out of the store and loaded it into his vehicle without paying for it.
The suspect then came back into Lowe’s, selected a pressure cleaner, and left without paying for it. The suspect was seen leaving the parking lot in a dark colored SUV or pickup. The total value of the stolen property is $420.98.
The attached photos are of the suspect with the lawn mower which was stolen.
Anyone who has information about this theft or is able to identify the suspect is asked to contact Detective Jonathan Fletcher at (863) 678-4223 extension 264 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at
(800) 226-8477.
Bad Boy Outlaw Mower Sparks Brush Fire

The fire grew to approximately a half acre and was near homes in the Normandy Heights subdivision. “Thankfully the wind was blowing in the opposite direction of the homes. This kept the fire away from the residential structures,” Battalion Chief Kevin Shireman said. “It appears the heat from the mower sparked the fire.”
The Bad Boy Outlaw mower, worth close to $10,000, was a total lost. A drain also was damaged by the fire.
No on was injured.


Family and Friends Gather at Brock’s Smokehouse to Cheer Chris Blue’s Performance on The Voice
Cheers filled the restaurant at Brock’s Smokehouse in the Eagle Ridge Mall Monday night as The Voice contestant Chris Blue took the stage to compete against 23 other artists to move forward to the next phase in the first of the Season 12 Live Playoffs.

Chris’s mom, Janice Blue-Williams along with family members and friends were on hand to celebrate as Brock’s Smokehouse hosted a gathering to watch the live broadcast from their big screen TV’s.
Chris Blue took the stage just before 9pm EST and wowed the audience with his vibrant and soulful rendition of ”Love on the Brain” by Rihanna.
Once the voting started, everyone was on the edge of their seats until finally Chris and two of his teammates were voted to move forward in the contest. Screams and cheers filled the restaurant!

According to his mother Janice who herself grew up in a musical family, Chris started singing at the age of three.
He is the youngest of seven children with four brothers and two sisters. All were talented and loved singing so mom Janice formed a family gospel singing and musical group that performed as The Blue Family, later as Little Chris and the Blue Family and most recently the Blue Brothers.
They have toured doing shows, competed in competitions and also appeared on an episode of the Bobby Jones Gospel Show on the BET Network.

Chris’s mother recalls an inspirational moment in Chris’s life when he was young that she believes was pivotal to his love of singing.
“I’ll never forget; we were at my mom’s house one Christmas (Chris’s Grandmother’s house) and someone had bought my mom a video of this (gospel) group call the Canton Spirituals out of Mississippi. Instead of going outside to play with his Christmas toys, Chris was so in tune to that video that he sat there for hours and hours just playing that video. I think that was when he really grabbed hold of his love for music”…..”I knew that if he stayed on the path he was on, it would lead to something bigger”.
The future looks bright for this talented young performer as he advances in Season 12 of The Voice. He is currently engaged to Stephanie Dunkley. She lives in London, and they have had a long distance relationship since they met in Knoxville Tennessee in the summer of 2014. After almost losing her during an operation for cancer, he proposed to her saying that he didn’t want to chance losing her. A wedding is planned for June of this year at a church in London, England where her father is a pastor. We at the Daily Ridge wish the best to both of them!
So make sure to show your support and vote for Polk County’s hometown favorite Chris Blue as he advances in Season 12 of The Voice!
Suspect in Custody in Frostpoof
We have had a few reports of law enforcement presence on the south end of town in Frostproof.
PCSO were searching for a suspect who fled.
Master Deputiy Mike Ard and K9 Officer Winton have brought the suspect into custody.
We will bring you more information as it becomes available.

Update on School Bus Service Related to This Morning’s Fire in Haines City

Local Fire Fighters Battle Massive Blaze At Haines City Pallet Company Overnight
Haines City – The Polk County Fire Rescue is assisting Haines City Fire Department with a large fire at Monison Pallets, located at 3100 US-17 in Haines City. Several homes in the area have been evacuated.
US Highway 17/92 in the area is closed in both directions. Firefighters were alerted to the blaze just before 2:40 a.m. Wednesday, April 19.
This is a developing story and we will update as more information is available.




