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More Than 150 Kids Go Fishing with Sheriff Grady Judd

Staff Reporter
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More Than 150 Kids Go Fishing with Sheriff Grady Judd

More Than 150 Kids Go Fishing with Sheriff Grady Judd

by James Coulter

Sheriff Grady Judd and his deputies work hard to catch criminals, yet on Tuesday, they took time out of their busy schedules to help local children catch a few fish.

Approximately 150 kids had the opportunity to cast lines with law enforcement officers from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office during the annual Fishing with Sheriff Judd event on Tuesday morning.

From 7 am to 10:30 am, the children and deputies gathered at the lake south of the Sheriff’s Operation Center, located at 1891 Jim Keene Boulevard in Winter Haven, then enjoyed a delicious barbecue lunch.

The annual event was hosted in conjunction with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. Sponsors for this year were Take a Kid Fishing, Inc. and Phillips Bait & Tackle.

The participating children were chosen by were selected by Community Oriented Policing (COP). The event was initially started to provide a positive interaction with children in lower socio-economic, at-risk areas.

“Some of the kids have never been fishing – and at this event, it’s guaranteed that each kid will catch at least one fish,” said Carrie Horstman, PCSO Media Specialist. “The deputies and FWC officers enjoy interacting with kids and showing them that law enforcement officers are trusted adults they can come to if they ever need anything.”

Not only does the event allow children to enjoy a fine day alongside Polk County’s finest deputies, it also allows the PCSO to maintain its image among the general public by showing how much they’re willing to do to serve them.

“We believe this and our other charity events show how involved we are with our community and citizens, how much we appreciate their love and support, and how important they are to us,” Horstman said.

Four East Polk County Men Charged With Racketeering

Carl Fish
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Four East Polk County Men Charged With Racketeering

On June 20, 2023, the Office of the State Attorney Tenth Judicial Circuit filed racketeering charges against four suspects who were arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for conspiring together to steal new appliances, cabinetry, and other construction materials from construction sites around Polk County and then sell them to a crooked contractor. 

The suspects committed 14 confirmed burglaries depriving victims of approximately $40,000. 

The investigation began after detectives responded to a burglary that occurred at a house under construction in Auburndale. New cabinets had been stolen from the construction site. A witness saw two men putting items into a U-Haul van before driving away. 



During the course of the investigation detectives linked numerous thefts at construction sites across Polk County and identified four suspects involved in a criminal racketeering enterprise:

  • 51-year-old Alberto Petrecca of Dundee
  • 34-year-old Jeromy Albertson of Haines City
  • 27-year-old Randale Anderson of Haines City
  • 47-year-old Benjamin Adams of Davenport

 

Haines City Police officers arrested Albertson and Anderson during a traffic stop. Albertson was driving a U-Haul van containing stainless steel appliances. Albertson told officers that he and Anderson stole the appliances from a house under construction in Poinciana. Albertson also said that he was instructed by his uncle, Alberto Petrecca, to steal the appliances at the request of a buyer.

The same day, PCSO detectives executed two search warrants; one at Petrecca’s house (710 Roby Ct.) in Dundee and one at Petrecca’s storage unit in Haines City where they recovered appliances, air handlers and ducting, plywood, and lumber that had been stolen from various construction sites in Polk County. Detectives also seized 89.48 grams of cocaine, 227.92 grams of marijuana, 18 Hydrocodone pills, 53 Ecstasy pills, 10 handguns and a rifle from Petrecca’s house. Petrecca admitted to selling drugs from his house for the last three years. 

When asked about the stolen appliances, Petrecca told detectives he “didn’t ask or care” how Albertson and Anderson acquired them and suspected they might have been stolen. 

He also told detectives that his buyer was Benjamin Adams, the owner of BA Investment Team, LLC and BA Property Team, house remolding and real estate companies. PCSO detectives executed search warrants at two properties owned by Adams where they recovered several stolen appliances. 

Adams told detectives he bought the new appliances from Petrecca at “scratch and dent” prices. He said he was not sure how Petrecca was able to sell the items so cheap, however he believed Petrecca may have been using some sort of stolen credit card or fraud to obtain the appliances.

“When thieves steal from construction sites it affects us all—hard working men and women in construction, home buyers, and consumers. I am proud of my detectives for stopping this criminal organization and recovering tens of thousands of dollars in stolen items. But we also need the help of those in the construction industry. Securing materials, locking everything up before leaving a site for the day, and reporting suspicious activity is important to prevent construction site theft.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

The following suspects were arrested: 

Alberto Petrecca was initially arrested and charged with: 

  • Armed trafficking in cocaine (FL)
  • Conspiracy to commit grand theft (F3)(3 counts)
  • Conspiracy to commit burglary (F3)(3 counts)
  • Burglary (F3)
  • Grand theft (F3)
  • Dealing in stolen property (F2)(3 counts)
  • Possession of ecstasy with intent to sell (F2)
  • Possession of amphetamine with intent to sell (F3)
  • Possession of hydrocodone with intent to sell (F2)
  • Possession of marijuana with intent to sell (F3)
  • Possession of Xanax with intent to sell (F3)
  • Possession of a structure to traffic drugs (F2)
  • Possession of a firearm during a felony (F2)
  • Possession of ecstasy (F3)
  • Possession of amphetamine (F3)
  • Possession of hydrocodone (F3)
  • Possession of Xanax (F3)
  • Possession of marijuana over 20 grams (F3)
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia (M1)

He was released from the Polk County Jail after paying a $199,000 bond. 

On June 20, 2023, the Office of the State Attorney Tenth Judicial Circuit filed the following additional charges against Petrecca:



  • Racketeering (F1) 
  • Conspiracy to racketeer (F1) 
  • Dealing in stolen property (F1)(14 counts) 
  • Burglary (F3)(14 counts) 

He turned himself in to the Polk County Jail. Petrecca is currently being held on an additional $112,000 bond.

Jeromy Albertson was initially arrested and charged with:

  • Dealing in stolen property (F2)(6 counts)
  • Conspiracy to commit burglary (F3)(2 counts)
  • Burglary (F2)
  • Grand theft of a construction site (F3)(2 counts)
  • Violation of probation (M2)

Due to Albertson violating his probation requirements, he is currently in the Polk County Jail and being held with no bond. 

On June 20, 2023, the Office of the State Attorney Tenth Judicial Circuit filed the following additional charges against Albertson:



  • Racketeering (F1) 
  • Conspiracy to racketeer (F1) 
  • Dealing in stolen property (F1)(14 counts) 
  • Burglary (F3)(14 counts) 

His previous criminal history includes domestic violence battery, possession of methamphetamine, and soliciting prostitution. 

Randale Anderson was initially arrested and charged with:

  • Burglary (F3)(2 counts)
  • Grand theft (F3)(2 counts)
  • Conspiracy to commit grand theft (F3)(2 counts)
  • Conspiracy to commit burglary (F3)(2 counts)

He was released from the Polk County Jail after paying a $27,000 bond. 

On June 20, 2023, the Office of the State Attorney Tenth Judicial Circuit filed the following additional charges against Anderson:

  • Racketeering (F1) 
  • Conspiracy to racketeer (F1) 
  • Dealing in stolen property (F1)(5 counts) 
  • Burglary (F3)(5 counts) 

He turned himself in to the Polk County Jail and is being held on an additional $55,000 bond.

Benjamin Adams was initially arrested and charged with:

  • Dealing in stolen property (F2)(3 counts)

He was released from the Polk County Jail after paying a $15,000 bond. 

On June 20, 2023, the Office of the State Attorney Tenth Judicial Circuit filed the following additional charges against Adams:

  • Racketeering (F1) 
  • Conspiracy to racketeer (F1) 
  • Dealing in stolen property (F2)(5 counts) 

He turned himself in to the Polk County Jail where he was later released after paying an additional $45,000 bond. Adam’s previous criminal history includes domestic violence battery, criminal mischief, and an 11-year federal prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Florida RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) Act

In Florida (FSS Chapter 895 Sections 895.01-895.06), a racketeering offense (RICO) occurs when an unlawful organization commits or attempts/solicits/conspires to commit coordinated illegal activities such as murder, money laundering, embezzlement, extortion, weapons offenses, burglary, theft, bribery, and other crimes. In Florida, RICO is charged as a first-degree felony and it can result in 30 years imprisonment and significant monetary fines. 



The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) was designed to prosecute individuals engaging in organized crime. A person can be charged with racketeering if they engage in a pattern of racketeering—such as committing at least two racketeering activities within a ten year period.

Shooting Suspect Arrested After Standoff With Lakeland Police Department SWAT

Carl Fish
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Shooting Suspect Arrested After Standoff With Lakeland Police Department SWAT

LAKELAND, FL (July 1, 2023) On Friday, June 30, 2023, at approximately 11:00 a.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting that had just occurred in the 2400 block of Chestnut Woods Drive in Lakeland. Once on the scene, officers located a 35-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.  

The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health as a trauma alert. 

It was learned that the victim and a female had driven to the location to visit a relative. The female passenger stayed in the vehicle while the victim joined his relative outside the apartments and began speaking with the suspect, identified as Miguel Angel Ruiz Borges, in the apartment’s driveway area. At some point, the men began to argue and progressed into Borges shooting the victim. Despite being shot, the victim was able to overpower Borges and take the gun from him. 

Borges then fled on foot and entered a nearby apartment. The woman who lived in the apartment grabbed her three-year-old child and retreated to a bedroom, where she barricaded herself and the child inside. As officers continued arriving at the scene, they began assisting the woman and child climb through the bedroom window to safety outside. 

Once the mother and child were safe, officers with the Crisis Negotiation Team attempted to contact the Borges, who remained barricaded in the apartment. LPD’s SWAT team also responded to the area to assist and after more than two hours of communicating with Borges, he surrendered and was taken into custody. 

Borges was transported to the Polk County Jail, charged with Aggravated Battery of a Person with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Delinquent, and Unarmed Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling. 

At last update, the victim was stable and is expected to recover. 

This remains an open and active investigation.

26 Yr Old Lakeland Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash

Carl Fish
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26 Yr Old Lakeland Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash

LAKELAND, FL (June 30, 2023) On Thursday, June 29, 2023, at approximately 8:55 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving an SUV and motorcycle near the intersection of Drane Field Road and South Pipkin Road. According to information gathered at the scene, prior to the crash, the Yamaha motorcycle was traveling east on Drane Field Road and passing another motorist. At the same time, a Mitsubishi SUV was exiting South Pipkin Road, making a left turn onto Drane Field Road. The motorcycle collided with the SUV.   

The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. The driver of the motorcycle, a 26-year-old man from Lakeland, was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene. 

The driver of the SUV was identified as Shelby Anderson, age 20, from Lakeland. 

Members of the Traffic Homicide team responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The crash remains an open investigation. Anyone with additional information should contact investigating Sergeant Dale Deas at [email protected].

Tax Collector for Polk County Reminds The Public That Service Center Locations Across Polk County Will Be Closed On Tuesday, July 4th

Carl Fish
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Tax Collector for Polk County Reminds The Public That Service Center Locations Across Polk County Will Be Closed On Tuesday, July 4th

POLK COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR SERVICE CENTERS TO CLOSE FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY
BARTOW, Fla. — The Tax Collector for Polk County (TCPC), Joe G. Tedder, sends a reminder that Service Center locations across Polk County will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday! Regular office hours will resume Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
This will include the American Legion Tag Agency in Winter Haven, First Lakeland Tag Agency, and approved Road Test providers Atlantic Driving School and All Class Drivers.
However, the residents that still need to renew their vehicle registrations can do so using KIOSK services available at the Grove Park and Plantation Square Publix locations in Lakeland.
For more information, office hours and locations, please go to www.PolkTaxes.com. ###
About the Office of Joe G. Tedder, Tax Collector for Polk County, Florida:
Joe G. Tedder is elected by the people of Polk County to serve as their Tax Collector. The Office of Tax Collector is provided in Florida’s Constitution to serve in the state’s political subdivisions known as counties. The Tax Collector’s Office for Polk County has service centers in Bartow, Lakeland, Davenport, and Lake Wales. The Tax Collector’s Office serves over 720,000 residents in Polk County, offering services such as: Driver licenses and identification cards; motor vehicle registrations, decals, license plates, titles and disabled person parking placards; real estate and tangible personal property taxes; county local business taxes; to

FWC Reminds People To Not Be “Boating Under The Influence” This Holiday Weekend

Carl Fish
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FWC Reminds People To Not Be “Boating Under The Influence” This Holiday Weekend

Operation Dry Water is a year-round Boating Under the Influence awareness campaign that facilitates a national weekend of BUI detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol- and drug-related boating incidents and fatalities. This year, Operation Dry Water weekend will take place July 1-3. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has been involved with the campaign since its inception in 2009 and this year will continue to play a vital role in protecting lives, promoting safe boating practices, ensuring legal compliance and fostering a culture of responsible behavior on the water. 

The Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest boating holidays across the country. With more than a million registered recreational vessels, Florida is recognized as the “Boating Capital of the World.” FWC and partner agencies are responsible for keeping the millions of visitors and residents who enjoy the state’s beautiful waterways safe. Last year law enforcement removed 93 impaired operators from Florida waterways during Operation Dry Water. 

“Our officers are committed to addressing the issue of impaired boating year-round,” said Maj. Rob Beaton, FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section Leader. “Ensuring the safety and enhancing the overall boating experience for the people enjoying our beautiful waterways is a priority for us. We will be patrolling statewide during the upcoming weekend and throughout the holiday looking for any signs of boater impairment.” 

Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to series injuries and consequences. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, the same as in a vehicle. 

The FWC reminds boaters to designate an operator who will remain sober to ensure the safety of everyone with them and around them, and encourages boaters wear a life jacket and take a boating education course.

Public Notice

Allison
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Public Notice

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned pursuant to the fictitious name statutes 865.09 Florida statues will register with the division of corporations of the state of Florida upon receipt of proof of publication of this notice the fictitious name to wit RETROTV1 TECH under which we are or intend to do business as in Polk County Florida that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers RESORTTV 1 LLC.

Public Notice

Allison
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0
Public Notice

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned pursuant to the fictitious name statutes 865.09 Florida statues will register with the division of corporations of the state of Florida upon receipt of proof of publication of this notice the fictitious name to wit RETROTV1 TECH under which we are or intend to do business as in Polk County Florida that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers RESORTTV 1 LLC.

Circle of Friends Ministry Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Facility

Allison
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Circle of Friends Ministry Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Facility

Circle of Friends Ministry Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Facility

by James Coulter

What started as a simple, small ministry inside a Sunday School classroom has since grown to the point where they have since moved into a larger building of their own. Circle of Friends Ministry celebrated the grand opening of its new facility with a ribbon cutting on Thursday morning.

Located along Lime Street off State Road 60 in Lake Wales, the new building has several classrooms, offices, and a large cafeteria and auditorium to facilitate the ministry’s service to local young adults with special needs.

Started in 1999, Circle of Friends is a non-profit organization dedicated to “equipping, empowering, and providing inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” its website states. Their ministry assists Lake Wales young adults with special needs by providing them training in life and job skills to help them lead healthy independent lives.

Myrtice Kelly started the organization to help young people like her late daughter. She had been searching for such assistance since 1995, knocking on the doors of hospitals, schools, and churches, but found nothing.

She was later approached by a local pastor, who allowed her to host her ministry in a Sunday School room. When she started, their class had five young girls. Sadly, one year later, her daughter passed away. However, the new friends and family she met and made during that brief year offered her comfort during her time of need.

Circle of Friends officially started as a non-profit organization in 1999. The ministry was facilitated by several churches in the area and with the support of local volunteers and donors. More than $50,000 alone was raised during one letter-writing campaign organized by Chevon Bacchus, whose husband was one of their earlier treasurers.

Their ministry soon received an office provided by Robert Quam, Director of the Lake Wales Care Center, who allowed them to rent office space for only $50 a month. They soon moved from that small office to a larger office, and later to a larger facility located along Stuart Avenue in Downtown Lake Wales.

“A local man donated the facility,” Kelly said. “I moved in like my own like an eagle who flew the nest, and I did not know if I could do that or not. I heard the spirit of God say to me: you can sit here like a turkey, or you can spread your wings and fly. Sowe did.”

Kelly and her staff have big plans for their new facility along Lime Street. They plan to develop the surrounding property to expand their services. Currently, the building is being leased by New Hope Church, but they hope to be able to buy and own it.

Their biggest plan will be Developing Friends Village, a supported living housing community that will allow young residents with special needs to live independent lives with the assistance of caregivers providing 24/7 service.

“It has been a long hard road, but without caring members of the community, we could not have done it,” she said. “There are a lot of people to be grateful for, and we appreciate them all so much. Thank you so very much.”

Crystal Higbee, Chief Executive Officer, commended Kelly for laying the groundwork of the organization for more than 20 years and expressed hope that their ministry will continue to grow with their new facility.

“This building allows room for growth, so anybody who knows anybody with special needs and who is aging out of school, have them come here and fill out an application because we have a lot to offer,” she said. “It is not just for people who are going to stay here for the rest of their life. It is for people who need to brush up on their skills. We can connect them here in the community with jobs and other areas. So, we are not looking here to keep them forever. We are looking to help them live their best life, no matter where that is at.”

Bartow Uncorked Uncorks Bartow in Inaugural Year

Allison
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Bartow Uncorked Uncorks Bartow in Inaugural Year

Bartow Uncorked Uncorks Bartow in Inaugural Year

by James Coulter

The Krazy Kricket mostly offers antiques and other boutique items. However, last Friday, they offered something completely different: buffalo chicken cupcakes.

Yes, customers and other people dropping by the store had the opportunity to sample some wine and take a bite out of a mini cupcake with ranch dressing icing and topped with a mini buffalo chicken nugget.

Krazy Kricket was one of many downtown shops and eateries participating in the inaugural Bartow Uncorked. The downtown event allowed people to stroll downtown, peruse the many shops, and sample wine and appetizers.

“We have been doing this for 9 years,” said owner Susan Blink about similar downtown events. “We love helping with the events downtown…I love socializing with new people coming in.”

Lee Williams, owner of Got Desserts, also participated in the event. Her ice cream and dessert shop offered samples of Key Lime-flavored ice cream. With her shop selling custom cakes and soft-serve ice cream, she loved seeing potential customers coming in to see what her shop has to offer.

“So far, we are loving it,” she said. “People are happy. They are coming out and having a great time. [I love] being able to meet the people who are working in the downtown area.”

Several dozen local eateries and stores in Downtown Bartow participated in the event including Hacienda Mexico, Front Page Brewery, and Unfiltered Coffee. Attendees could receive their wristband, map, and wine glass at Front Page Brewery and peruse their way through the downtown area.

More than 300 tickets were sold before the event, which sold out two weeks before the deadline, said Linda Holcomb, Executive Director of Main Street Bartow, which hosted the event. She was inspired to host it to emulate similar wine walks in other cities, as well as provide something during the summer months.

“Bartow Uncorked has proven more successful than we could have ever imagined,” she said. “I could have easily sold hundreds more than that. Everyone is so enthusiastic tonight. So glad it’s going over well.”

Main Street Bartow will be resuming its First Friday downtown market in August. Its next big event will be the Fall Festival in September. As for the inaugural Bartow Uncorked, she loved how well it was received and she hopes to host a similar event next winter.

“Downtown Bartow is growing every day,” she said. “Far greater than I had expected. Everyone is very, very pleased and happy. I am planning most likely to do another one the first of the year.”

For more information about upcoming events, visit their website at: https://mainstreetbartowfl.com/

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