A Bartow woman is facing felony charges after investigators say she carried out a multi-state real estate fraud scheme that allegedly involved selling homes and land she did not own.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Cheryl Annette Jefferson, 63, was arrested following an investigation into fraudulent real estate transactions involving properties in several states.
Cheryl Annette Jefferson, 63
Investigators say Jefferson allegedly used forged documents and false identification to list and sell properties belonging to other people without their knowledge. Authorities say the scheme involved properties in Florida, Georgia, and Colorado and resulted in more than $421,000 in deposits tied to the fraudulent sales.
In several cases, detectives say the legitimate property owners were unaware their land had been sold until after the transactions had already taken place.
One property owner reportedly discovered her Palm Coast lot had been sold when she attempted to pay property taxes and learned she was no longer listed as the owner of the property.
During the investigation, detectives said Jefferson offered an unusual explanation for some of the financial activity tied to the case.
According to investigators, Jefferson told detectives she opened a bank account for someone she believed to be Brian Kelley, a member of the country music duo Florida Georgia Line. She reportedly told investigators the funds were connected to plans to build a recording studio in Nashville.
Authorities say there is no evidence linking any country music artists to the alleged fraud scheme.
Jefferson was arrested on a Flagler County warrant and charged with organized scheme to defraud more than $50,000. She was later released on bond.
Public social media profiles that appear to belong to Jefferson indicate she previously worked for Polk County Fire Rescue for decades as an office manager before retiring in 2022. The same profiles also indicate she later worked in customer service at Publix.
Investigators say the case highlights a growing type of real estate fraud where scammers target vacant land or property owned by people who live out of state, then use forged documents to complete property sales without the owner’s knowledge.
On March 21, 2026, shortly after midnight, an electric bicycle was stolen from the porch of a residence in the Combee area of Lakeland.
The bike was stolen by two suspects, and one of the suspects wore a mask.
The bike was valued at around $750.
One of the suspects was recognized by some locals as a young man who had spoken to them on March 20th about playing basketball and mentioned that he was a US Marine. He also had a pair of handcuffs in his pocket.
Based on that description, one of the deputies believed he had trespassed the same person from a Harvey’s store the night prior. The deputy reviewed his information and came up with the suspect’s name: Michael Rogers, an 18-year old who resides two streets over from the crime scene.
As the investigation progressed, the second suspect was identified as 18-year old Jonathan White, a roommate of Michael Rogers.
Both suspects were located and provided full confessions, and the bicycle was returned to the victim.
Michael Rogers and Jonathan White were both arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center.
Because Rogers wore a mask during the crime, his charges were enhanced one degree. He was charged with: Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling (F2 to an F1) and Grand Theft from a Dwelling (F3 to an F2).
White was already on probation. He was charged with Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling (F2), Grand Theft from a Dwelling (F3), and Violation of Probation (F2).
Join us at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 26 at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center at Circle B Bar Reserve, 4399 Winter Lake Road in Lakeland, for the next installment of our Nature Lecture Series.
“Stormwater: Your Neighborhood’s Living Landscape” will be presented by Craig Johnson and Ryan Ellis from our very own Polk County Parks and Natural Resources Water Resources team. Come learn more about what stormwater is and how stormwater systems work, as well as what you can do to help stormwater efforts as a Polk County resident.
Polk’s Nature Discovery Center hosts a different lecture each month highlighting an aspect of the natural world. For more information, call Polk’s Nature Discovery Center at 863-668-4673 or email [email protected].
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 Alibi Services LLC dba Alibi Notary & Alibi Bookkeeping 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 Taylor Buchanan.
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 Alibi Assets LLC dba Alibi Home Refresh, Alibi Getaways & Alibi Rides 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 Taylor Buchanan.
Most people don’t set out to ignore their health. It usually slips down the list somewhere between the morning alarm and the last email of the day. Breakfast gets rushed or skipped. Exercise is postponed until tomorrow. Sleep is cut short to catch up on everything else. By the end of the week, healthy intentions are still there, but the follow-through feels harder than expected.
For many, the challenge is not motivation but finding habits that fit into real life. Small, repeatable choices around sleep, exercise, nutrition, mental well-being and social connection can support how the body and mind function over time.
Sleep Well
Sleep is essential for physical recovery, mental focus and emotional balance, but it’s often the first habit to slip when schedules get busy.
Establishing a regular bedtime routine helps signal when it’s time to rest. Limiting screen exposure in the evening, keeping sleep and wake times consistent and creating a dark, quiet sleep environment can support more restorative sleep. Over time, better sleep contributes to improved mood, focus and overall heart health.
Exercise in Manageable Ways
Exercise often falls into the same trap as sleep. When schedules get full, it becomes something to get back to rather than something that fits into the day as it unfolds. A missed workout can quickly turn into a missed week, even for people who value staying active.
Regular movement supports heart health, muscle strength and overall energy, but it doesn’t need to be all-or-nothing. Short periods of activity spread throughout the day can still make a difference, especially when long stretches of sitting are the default.
Walking between meetings, stretching in the morning or adding light strength exercises at home are simple ways to stay active without blocking out extra time.
Eat Nutritiously
Food decisions often happen on autopilot as meals are squeezed into busy schedules and long days, making nutrition one of the most influential daily habits.
Meals do more than provide fuel. When built around nutrient-rich foods, they support muscle health, brain health and heart health. An overall healthy eating pattern includes a variety of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, helping the body keep up with everyday demands.
Protein plays an important role in maintaining muscle and supporting daily movement, especially as people age. High-quality protein from foods, along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help support all the muscles in the body. Choosing protein sources that are easy to prepare and repeat supports consistency when schedules are full.
As part of a balanced approach to healthy habits, nutrition guidance from the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good initiative, nationally sponsored by the Egg Nutrition Center, highlights how everyday food choices can support the body and brain over time. Eggs are an example of a high-quality protein and they fit easily into meals throughout the day.
Eggs also deliver choline, a nutrient many Americans don’t get enough of. Choline is a critical nutrient, among others, for supporting brain development, memory and mood. Along with protein, choline helps support brain health, making it an important consideration across life stages.
According to the American Heart Association, healthy people can include one egg daily, up to seven eggs per week, as part of a heart-healthy diet. For healthy older adults with normal cholesterol, two eggs per day can be included as part of a heart-healthy dietary pattern.
Mind Your Mental Well-Being
The way people eat, sleep and move does not just attect the body. It also shapes how the brain responds to stress and daily demands. When routines feel rushed or inconsistent, mental wellbeing is often one of the first areas to feel the strain.
Ongoing stress can intertere with focus, sleep and eating habits, making it harder to maintain healthy routines. Simple practices like deep breathing, mindfulness or stepping away from screens for a few minutes can help reduce tension and restore attention.
Making time for rest and reflection, and setting realistic expectations, can also support emotional balance. What supports the brain often supports the heart as well, reinforcing the value of caring for mental and physical health together.
Socialize and Stay Connected
Mental well-being is shaped by both daily routines and relationships. When life feels busy or stresstul, social connection is often the first thing to get pushed aside, even though it plays an important role in emotional health.
Staying connected doesn’t require packed calendars or constant interaction. Shared meals, short conversations or a quick check-in with a friend or family member can help maintain a sense of connection.
Build Habits That Fit Real Life
Healthy routines are more likely to last when they fit into the rhythm of everyday life rather than compete with it. Big changes can feel motivating at first, but it is often the small, repeatable choices that quietly shape how people feel over time.
Choosing foods that are easy to prepare, finding enjoyable ways to exercise and protecting time for sleep can make healthy habits feel more realistic.
When routines are built around what is already happening during a typical day, they are easier to return to even when schedules get busy.
For more information and educational resources on nutrition and healthy living, visit Heart.org.
After a forensic analysis of 47-year-old Steven Gugel’s cell phone, Polk County Sheriff’s Cyber Crime detectives have filed 16 new felonies against Gugel while he remains in the Polk County Jail from his original arrest (see below).
Detectives located eight more images altered by Gugel from as early as January 2025 depicting the face of a juvenile victim that he had access to, placed on nude adult female bodies. The victim was positively identified by family members.
Gugel is now being additionally charged with 8 counts generating altered sex depiction without consent, and 8 counts creating generated child pornography.
Gugel will have another first appearance hearing Saturday, March 21st, on the new charges. He remains in the jail on no bond.
Notice is hereby given that Lake Wales Storage intends to sell the property described below to enforce a lien under the Florida Self Storage Facility Act, Statutes (section 83.80-83.809). The owner will sell at public auction on or after April 8,2026 at 10:00 am at storageauctions.com
Units belonging to the following:
Andrew Chambers Unit 1105
This sale will be continued on such succeeding sale days thereafter as may be necessary to be completed. Unless otherwise noted units contain household items.
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a fatal crash involving a CSX train that resulted in the death of a driver. The crash occurred at approximately 6:31 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, near Kathleen Tire and Auto on Kathleen Road in Lakeland.
According to evidence and witness statements, a 2023 Mack truck pulling a Montoe dump trailer was traveling south on Kathleen Road and attempting to turn into Kathleen Tire and Auto as the train was approaching northbound. The driver, 50‑year‑old Orlando Lugo of Tampa, appeared to accelerate in an attempt to cross the tracks before the train arrived. As Lugo sped up, the truck made it about halfway across the tracks before being struck. The impact separated the trailer from the cab; the cab was thrown northwest and rolled several times, while the trailer continued a short distance north before coming to rest on the opposite side of the train.
When first responders arrived, Lugo was pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected. No airbags deployed.
Next of kin have been notified. The investigation is ongoing.
Now Accepting Applications: 2026 Citizens Police Academy!
The Lakeland Police Department is excited to announce that applications are open for our 2026 Citizens Police Academy! Class Dates: August 6 – November 12, 2026 When: Thursdays | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Duration: 15 weeks (18 classes) Application Deadline: July 17, 2026
The Citizens Police Academy (CPA) is designed for community-minded individuals who want a behind-the-scenes look at how the Lakeland Police Department serves our city. Participants will learn about: Uniform Patrol Special Investigations (Vice & Narcotics) Crime Scene Investigations SWAT K-9 911 Communications Firearms familiarization (with range experience) …and much more!
Applicants must be 18 years or older. You do not have to live within the City of Lakeland to apply.
Questions? Contact Cindy Sharp at [email protected]. Come see what it’s really like behind the badge — we hope you’ll join us!
Please note: This is not a state-accredited police academy for those seeking a career in law enforcement. If you’re interested in becoming a certified law enforcement officer, visit JoinLakelandPD.com for more information.
