Sheriff Grady Judd and leaders from partnering law enforcement agencies will provide details tomorrow morning, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., about a multi-law enforcement agency eight-day-long undercover investigation which focused on sexual predators who target children, solicit children online, and travel to an undercover location to sexually batter children.
During the initiative, detectives posed as children and adults who have access to children on social media platforms, mobile apps, and online dating sites to investigate those who prey upon and travel to meet children for unlawful sexual activity.
PCSO worked with the Auburndale Police Department, Davenport Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, and Hardee County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects communicated with and solicited who they thought were children or adults who had access to children online. Five suspects showed up to an undercover location in Polk County at separate times to sexually batter children. Those five wanted to pay an adult hundreds of dollars to have sex with who they thought was a child – they were charged with human trafficking, a life felony.
Detectives obtained arrest warrants for three other suspects who committed crimes against who they thought were children online; two of those suspects are in custody, and one is still at large.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Response Team also conducted an initiative during the month of February 2024, aimed at ensuring compliance with Florida’s registration laws for convicted sex offenders and sex predators within Polk County. Detectives charged 16 suspects with failure to comply with registration laws and/or violation of probation. Details will be provided about those arrests and charges as well.
Polk Sheriff To Hold Press Conference Regarding Sexual Predator Sting
Lakeland Police Arrest Two Men Charging Them With Theft
LAKELAND, FL (March 11, 2024) – On Thursday, March 7, 2024, around 10:30 a.m., Toby Ledford and Adam Byrd, both of Lakeland, were arrested on charges stemming from an investigation into multiple thefts of wire from light poles reported in various areas around the City of Lakeland.
Once Lakeland Police detectives began investigating the series of wire thefts, they identified Ledford and Byrd as possible suspects. Detectives observed Ledford driving a 2004 green Honda Element and stopped him in the 3000 block of Old Tampa Highway after committing multiple traffic violations. Detectives searched the vehicle and found numerous bundles of wire in the back of the vehicle which had just been stolen that morning from light poles in the area of Harden Boulevard and Parkway Frontage Road. In addition to the theft of wire, the light poles were damaged in the process. Tools to commit the thefts were also found in the vehicle (wire cutters, ratchet slicer, voltage meter, ban saws, a grinder and walkie talkies). While being interviewed, Ledford and Byrd admitted they were on their way to sell the wire to a scrapyard.
Ledford was charged with Dealing in Stolen Property, Criminal Mischief $1,000 or More and Grand Theft $5,000 to $10,000. Byrd was charged with Dealing in Stolen Property, Criminal Mischief $1,000 or More, Grand Theft $5,000 to $10,000, Possession of Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Polk County Man Facing 5-40 Yrs In Federal Prison After Pleading Guilty To Distributing Fentanyl & Methamphetamine Drugs
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida
Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Marcus Lutrell Walden (36, Winter Haven) has pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and p-fluorofentanyl (a fentanyl analogue). Walden faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, on February 14, 2024, Walden agreed to sell what he believed was methamphetamine and fentanyl, which he described in communications as “ice cream” and “mashed potatoes” to a confidential source in Winter Haven, Florida. Walden agreed to meet the confidential source at a motel in Winter Haven to conduct the sale. An analysis of the fentanyl by the DEA Laboratory revealed that it was para-fluorofentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl. Later that day, Walden sold a Taurus .22 caliber pistol to the confidential source.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Winter Haven Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
*Editors note: Walden is no stranger to Polk County Law Enforcement as he has been arrest well over 10 times here in Polk.
Sheriff Grady Judd Enjoys Jeepin with Judd for 10th Annual Event
by James Coulter
There’s nothing Sheriff Grady Judd loves more than working hard to serve and protect his community. However, he managed to take time out of his busy schedule last weekend to go Jeep riding in Bartow.
For the past decade, Jeepin with Judd has not only allowed local Jeep owners an opportunity to go off-road riding on 1.5 acres of rugged Florida wilderness but also raise proceeds for Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc., the charitable arm of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization, does everything from providing Christmas gifts for needy children to allowing previously incarcerated women to transition back to a free life to assisting other local charities like Hope Equine Rescue, which cares for horses that have been abused, neglected, or abused.
“We have a philosophy that no child wakes up on Christmas morning without a Christmas presents, [and] we want people to have a big dinner with their family on Thanksgiving,” Sheriff Judd said. “So when a deputy sees someone who is down and out, then they report that to our charity and we help them out.”
Sheriff Judd, along with hundreds of other Jeep owners and enthusiasts, had the opportunity last weekend to ride one of the many trails in the 1.5 acres of land at Clear Springs Ranch in Bartow.
“I did the gator trail a few minutes ago. It was awesome,” he said. “It went uphill and downhill and through mudholes and it was a rush. So, if you have a Jeep and you are not here. You are just not cool.”
Aside from trail riding, the event also allowed attendees to peruse vendors and food trucks and show off their vehicles. There was even a mini-Jeep trail for toy Jeeps that little children could ride.
“I enjoy the people,” Sheriff Judd said. “There are hundreds of people from the Sheriff’s Office volunteering their time. But I love the people the most. I like to ride the trails, and I really appreciate our veterans who come here every year. If it weren’t for the community, we would not be able to raise money for the charities and the charities would not be able to help people.”
Sheriff Judd commended Clear Springs Ranch for facilitating the annual fundraiser, and Orlando Jeep Club for putting in thousands of volunteer hours helping set up for the event.
“As a result, we raise a lot of money for our charity, and then we will that those proceeds and help those less fortunate in the community,” he said. “It has exceeded our expectations. Our goal was to make sure that we have enough trails that people rode trails rather than waited in line for this year.”
You Won’t Believe What Inspired This Local Teacher’s Art Which Won Her Best of Show at Lake Wales Art Fest.
by James Coulter
If you were to observe the award-winning artwork of Beth Garcia, you’d probably guess that most of her subjects were alien lifeforms from another planet, especially with their abnormal appendages and strange growths.
However, believe it or not, her sculptures, which helped win her best of show at this year’s Lake Wales Art Fest, are based on lifeforms that are quite terrestrial, if admittedly microscopic.
Beth Garcia is a working artist and a high school teacher at Harrison School of the Arts in Lakeland. Before she studied art, she studied biology and wanted to create illustrations for medical textbooks.
Later, she decided to switch from a biology major to a Masters of Fine Art. However, once she switched her studies, she quickly discovered her science lessons likewise worked their way into her artwork.
“I started to realize that what I had learned in biology, the imagery from biology, kept coming back through my work,” she said. “So, it really does steer the concept. I think about nature, the tenacity of nature, and I think it is the ultimate sign of optimism. So, I focus on the totality and optimism and joy of nature.”
While she does not have a favorite art piece, her larger sculptures have proven more challenging, so those are the ones that are nearest and dearest to her heart.
She had been attending the Lake Wales Art Fest for more than eight years. She loves how the committee is responsive to the needs of participating artists, which inspires her to return every year. Being able to win the best of show was quite a milestone for her.
“It is humbling,” she said. “My quality of work here is really strong, and I am humbled to be selected.”
More than 50 artists showcased their artwork along the scenic shores of Lake Wales Park for the annual Lake Wales Art Fest. The event kicked off on Friday evening with the private Art-B-Que event and opened for the public on Saturday and Sunday.
From paintings and photographs to ceramics and glass sculptures, artists and craftsmen from all over the county, state, and even country arrived to showcase their work. Attendees could also peruse other vendors and food trucks, listen to live music, and even engage in a beer crawl.
Tommy Frank, Executive Director of the Lake Wales Art Festival, was impressed by this year’s turnout. More than 50 artists participated this year, and he expects future events to draw in more than 100.
“We have been having a really great time this year,” he said. “We had a great turnout of people. Everyone enjoyed seeing the artists and talking about their work, listening to the music, [and] checking out some great food trucks. So, yes, it has been a real successful year.”
Frank owes the success of this year’s event to their marketing and integration of various other activities like a beer crawl, the children’s activity area, and the community hospitality tent.
“I think we were more intentional about how we were going to integrate more of our community [activities],” he said. “I think we are synergizing more of those things together and connecting them more strongly with the artist tent area.”
This year’s event more than exceeded expectations, and expectations for next year’s event and events to come remain high. Frank expects to see more growth and better integration of the various festival components. He expects to implement all that through feedback collected from participating artists.
“I think the event is definitely meeting expectations,” he said. “What is nice is that every year we do this, we have a chance to see where we want to improve and where there are ways to make it better every time. So, we are certainly here to collect those notes and the artists are telling us things that they like about it and ways we can change things up to benefit what they want to do. And we are excited to be receptive to that.”
Looking For a Dress or Suit for Prom? Get One for Free at Project Prom. Read to Learn More.
by James Coulter
Are you a local high school student or the parent or guardian of one? Are you looking for the most fabulous dress or stylish suit for prom?
What if you could get a great prom outfit for absolutely free? You can! And here’s how:
Project Prom is an annual program that provides free dresses and suits for prom to local high school students. All they have to do is go to the Project Prom store at Lakeland Square Mall, present their student ID, and sign a waiver promising they will avoid drugs and alcohol on prom night.
For the past ten years, Project Prom has been hosted by InnerAct Alliance, a non-profit organization which, according to its website, is dedicated to helping, “reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances along with involvement in other risky behaviors.”
Kelsi Davis, the Youth Outreach Intern for InnerAct Alliance, has been working at the organization for the past three years through UthMpact, the youth coalition created under InnerAct Alliance, which she also serves as its co-president.
“While in high school, I got to experience firsthand the impact of Project Prom not only through volunteering but also through finding dresses and formal wear of my own,” she said. “I have gotten to see hundreds of Polk County students come through our doors and find their dream outfits without the financial burden. Project Prom is an amazing program for all Polk County high schoolers and I get to see our success grow bigger every year.”
The Project Prom store is set up inside Lakeland Square Mall (next to Dillard’s), located at 3800 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809. The store will be open from 11 AM – 4 PM on Sat. Mar. 2, Mar. 16, Mar. 30, and Apr. 6. Learn more at: projectprompolk.com
Kelsi Davis recently joined us on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss Project Prom and her experience with it. Listen to our new podcast episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-25-project-prom-wkelsi-davis
This Local Educator Has a Heart Condition. She Knows the Importance of an AED. So She Bought One For Her Learning Center.
by James Coulter
Shara Sowell has a heart condition. Last year, she was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF), which is a type of arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat.
As such, she knows the importance of having an emergency medical device like an automated external defibrillator (AED). So, she had one donated to her learning center in Lakeland.
Sowell serves as the Head of the Class Learning Center in Lakeland. According to her LinkedIn page, she has more than 12 years of experience in early childhood education, which includes “taking over a school that was on the verge of being closed with poor management and various accusations and resolving all issues and reaching [maximum] capacity and establishing minimal teacher turn over.”
Last September, Sowell had reached out to Melanie Brown Culpepper, the founder of Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to donating and installing AEDs to businesses and other establishments across the county.
Sowell knows Melanie personally, as Melanie had styled her hair for her wedding in 2009. Melanie also knew her son Austin and daughter-in-law Cassie Lewter Whitchard, as they had lived on the same road when Cassie was growing up.
Melanie and her team donated the AED at the learning center on Tuesday evening. Local firefighter and EMT Eric Shimkus provided a demonstration on the AED while Brian Beilke, Melanie’s fiancée, helped install it.
“She says she’s happy to have one at their school and hopes they never have to use it but they feel equipped and prepared in case they ever have a cardiac emergency,” Melanie wrote on her Facebook. “Shara said she was amazed that I created this foundation in the ability to save someone’s life and says CCF is doing amazing things and glad that they got to be a part of it.”
Melanie started Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation three years ago following the untimely death of her fiancée, Michael Culpepper, from cardiac arrest. Since then, she has installed more than 35 AEDs across the county at businesses like Tanner’s Lakeside, Old Man Frank’s, and Caribbean Bay.
To learn more about Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper
Accident Partially Blocking SR. 60 Eastbound At Boy Scout Rd./Walk In Water Rd.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Polk County Fire Rescue is currently on scene of a multiple vehicle accident which has one vehicle flipped up on its roof.
According to reports the incident just occurred at 2:28pm. According to witnesses at the scene all the victims self extricated from the vehicles and it appears minor injuries at this time. It appears one person may be transported for medical care.
Initially all of S.R. 60 was being blocked, but recently they have opened one lane of S.R. Eastbound.
If more information is released we will update this article.
Dundee Man Charged With Sexual Battery Of A Minor
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Wendell Charles Summer (DOB: 04/22/58) of Dundee and charged him with Sexual Battery of a minor. The charges stem from an incident where he allegedly threatened a minor to have sex with him. It is unclear of the relationship between Summer’s and the victim, but he reportedly had access to the victim and allegedly provided the victim with a cell phone that only worked with WiFi.
According to the arrest affidavit the arrest stemmed from an incident on 3/3/2024. The affidavit states an anonymous person sent a text message to the minor saying “you better be blindfolded, naked, and with your butt in the air and ready to have sex with me or I will kill all of your family, I know what you look like and where you live at”. According to the affidavit someone entered the minors room and had sex with the minor. That person then allegedly went out the bedroom window.
According to the affidavit, a witness advised that a security camera showed the person leaving the bedroom. “The video showed Wendell exiting through REDACTED bedroom window so REDACTED knew it was Wendell who just sexually battered REDACTED. REDACTED advised once Wendell entered the room REDACTED observed him go on the camera app and delete the video footage of him leaving REDACTED bedroom.” said the witness.
The affidavit went on to say “On 3-4-2024 a recorded call was conducted from the victim to the suspect. When the victim asked the suspect “why he did what he did”. The suspect advised “it was wrong”. The suspect advised “he was afraid the victim told someone and that he can’t trust REDACTED talking on the phone”. The suspect advised “REDACTED could ruin his whole life”. The victim then states “because you had sex with me” and the suspect advised “because of an accident”. The suspect then states “he is sorry and that stuff will never happen again”., “It was a mistake. a bad one”. The victim advised to the suspect “you even said you were making love to me” where the suspect responded with “I just wanted you to know the difference between good and bad sex”
Later that same day deputies interviewed Summer’s who denied having sex with the minor victim. Deputies arrested him and took him to county jail.
Lake Wales Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Early Morning Shooting
During the early morning hours of March 9, 2024, Lake Wales Police Officers responded to 1978 Highway 60 East regarding reports of a shooting. Prior to the shooting, Perry Ford, 42 of Lake Wales agreed to meet the victim, Duane Anderson at the above location to speak regarding a conflict. The victim was seated in his vehicle when Ford arrived. Ford ran up to the vehicle and immediately began beating on the window with a handgun making threats to kill the victim. The victim accelerated in attempts to flee at which time Ford fired numerous rounds at the victim’s vehicle. There were no injuries reported. An arrest warrant was obtained charging Ford with shooting into an occupied conveyance, written threats to kill and attempted first degree murder. Ford was subsequently arrested without incident in Seminole County.
If you have any information regarding this investigation please contact the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223. Or, if you would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers: call 1-800-400-TIPS (8477) or from your cell phone, dial **TIPS, or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit a Tip”, or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
