Polk County Animal Control-
FREE ADOPTIONS until the end of the year!
Adoption hours are Monday-Saturday 10 am- 4 pm
Polk County Animal Control is located at 7115 Decastro Rd. Winter Haven, FL 33880.
Polk County Animal Control Offering Free Adoptions Until End Of Year
Twelve Year Old Lakeland Boy Dead After He Accidentally Shoots Himself
LAKELAND, FL (December 17, 2022) – On Friday, December 16, 2022, at approximately 7:00 p.m., uniform patrol officers responded to a residence in the 5500 block of Starling Loop in reference to a shooting involving a juvenile. Upon arrival, officers found emergency medical professionals rendering aid to a 12-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Early reports indicate the victim had been dropped off by his mother for a sleepover with his friend, a 13-year-old male who lives at the residence. Detectives were told the boys were in the garage when the victim located a loaded handgun inside one of the vehicles. As the victim was handling the gun, one round was fired, accidentally shooting himself.
Officers made contact with the victim’s mother at the hospital. She was under the impression that an adult was at the home for supervision; however, no adults were at the residence. The family members of the boy who lives in the house, who were at work, were unaware that the victim was at the home as they had not given the boy permission to have any guests over.
This is still very early in the open investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Troy Smith at 863.834.8958or [email protected].
The name of the victim is being withheld in accordance with Marsy’s Law. There is no additional information available at this time.
Attempted Armed Robbery At Auburndale Pizza Hut
On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at approximately 3:20pm, the Auburndale Police Department responded to the Pizza Hut located at 203 Magnolia Avenue in Auburndale in reference to an in progress armed robbery. The suspect left prior to officers arriving on-scene. The Pizza Hut surveillance video depicted the suspect displaying a handgun during the attempted robbery.
Auburndale police officers and detectives conducted a thorough investigation that developed leads on the suspects whereabouts. The Auburndale Police Department, along with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Units, responded to the possible location. The suspect was located sitting on the steps at the rear of the residence. The suspect, Steve Dwight Cason, admitted to going to the Auburndale Pizza Hut and asking for money. Cason denied having a gun.
Steve Dwight Cason, 57, is listed as a Career Offender on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website. According to the FDLE website, Cason’s previous convictions are, Robbery W/firearm, Robbery N/firearm, Grand Theft, and Kidnap.
The teamwork of the Auburndale Patrol Division, the Auburndale Criminal Investigation Unit, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, did an outstanding job locating, apprehending, and taking a violent felon off the street. Cason was charged with Attempted Robbery and Aggravated Assault
Winter Haven Police Is on the scene of an officer-involved shooting Of Stabbing Suspect
Winter Haven Police are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting that occurred earlier today. No officers are injured and the suspect has non-life-threatening injuries and has been taken to the hospital for treatment.
The incident location is 2316 Isle Royal Court SE in Winter Haven. Near Holiday Inn and Boston Market.
The events unfolded during a domestic disturbance call at the residence. Officers responded to the resident after a witness called stating 35 year-old Nathan Armstrong (DOB 3-15-87) was stabbing a female in the residence.
When officers arrived, they immediately entered the residence finding Armstrong in the residence continuing to stab the victim. The officer commanded Armstrong to drop the knife, however he continued to stab the victim. In order to stop Armstrong, the officer fired his service weapon striking Armstrong in the leg. Once Armstrong was secured, officers immediately started rendering aid to Armstrong and the victim.
Both were taken to the hospital where they remain with non-life-threatening injuries.
“Our officer saved this victim’s life,” said Winter Haven Police Chief David Brannan. “Had our officer not taken the immediate action to stop Armstrong, the outcome for the victim could have been much worse.”
This is very early in the investigation with limited information available.
The Tenth Judicial Circuit Task Force, overseen by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, is handling the investigation.
17-year-old Pennsylvania fugitive with murder warrant arrested in Polk County High School
County Sheriff’s Office arrested 17-year-old Henry Madera, Jr. of Mulberry who was wanted by the Reading City Police Department in Pennsylvania for 3rd Degree Murder and other felonies.
On December 12, 2022 the Reading City Police Department contacted PCSO detectives asking for assistance in locating Madera. Earlier in 2022, Madera was involved in a fight at a park in Reading, Pennsylvania where two people were shot, one of whom died. Madera is believed to be one of the shooters and testified in October before a Pennsylvania Grand Jury on the charges.
Deputies learned that following his Grand Jury testimony, Madera fled to Florida and enrolled at Mulberry High School on October 14, 2022.
On December 12th, the Pennsylvania Grand Jury issued a warrant for Madera’s arrest.
PCSO detectives located Madera at Mulberry High School and arrested him.
“Partnerships with other law enforcement agencies are invaluable, and this is a great example. Running from another state after committing murder, doesn’t place you outside of law enforcement’s reach.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Madera was transported to the Polk County Jail where he is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania to face the following 2022 charges:
· 3rd Degree Murder
· Aggravated Assault
· Conspiracy – Aggravated Assault
· Possession of Firearms without a License
· Perjury
· False Swearing during an Official Proceeding
· Recklessly Endangering another Person
Victory Ridge Academy Receives Grant from Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation
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Lake Wales, Florida – On November 30, 2022 Victory Ridge Academy was awarded a $4,000 grant from Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation. All funding received from the Foundation will go toward VRA’s School Wide Behavior Management System, a program that utilizes a positive approach and aids in providing clear expectations and consistent consequences that help students to become more productive in their learning environment.
Victory Ridge Academy recognizes the importance of establishing the social culture and behavioral supports needed for all children to achieve both social and academic success. Through this program our mission is to provide a high level of quality student behavioral support so that educators will be able to maintain effective classroom environments with minimal distractions.
Both staff and students at Victory Ridge Academy would like to thank the Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation for their generous donation and continued support over the years. We would not have been able to continue this program year after year without their generosity!
Victory Ridge Academy is a Title 1, 501 (c) (3) non-profit public charter school that exclusively serves children and adolescents with special needs. Victory Ridge Academy is based on the belief of the administration, staff and Board of Trustees that early intervention is crucial to helping children and young adults with special needs to cultivate healthy lifestyles and grow into well-adjusted persons. It is the school’s belief that students need a safe, positive and nurturing learning environment to develop communication skills, social skills, academic and technical skills in order to build their self-confidence and become productive members of society.
For more information about Victory Ridge Academy, please visit the Academy’s website at www.victoryridge.org
Q&A With Dundee Vice Mayor Mary Richardson
by James Coulter
Mary Richardson has lived in the city of Dundee for 43 years, where she has pastored a church in Haines City for 15 years, opened her own business, and volunteered her time through community service.
She later ran for public office and was elected for City Commissioner Seat 4 in April 2020. She has since been elected to serve as the city’s vice mayor, making her the first female African American commissioner to hold the title.
Through her position, she has bult bridges between the community and its government. She aspires to help provide affordable housing, infrastructure, and economic growth. She also wants to educate residents about civics through “Dundee on the Ridge Community Academy”, a free monthly academy session hosted every third Wednesday at PCSO Substation 135 East Main Street, Dundee.
We recently sat down with Vice Mayor Richardson to ask her a few questions about her background, qualifications, and career. Here is what she had to say:
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
A: I have lived in the town of Dundee for 43 years. I am a very strong resident; Dundee is a very quiet place. You can hear the birds sing. I pastor a church in Haines City for 15 years. I [suffered] 24 years of drugs and alcohol, [and] I had 24 years in the judicial system. After I gave my life to the Lord (February 14, 1993, Valentine’s Day), things began to change. I started my own business once I turned around: Inspirations by Mary T Shirts & More. My days and nights are committed to help others become overcomers.
Q: What is this free academy you provide every month?
A: Dundee on the Ridge Community Academy. Sessions are held the third Wednesday of the month. My goal is to educate the residents on government and its structures. Many people don’t know how the government works and because of their lack of knowledge it can sometimes bring on frustration. I believe once they become educated, it can cause crime rate to decrease, improve social conditions, equip, and empower individuals and families with wisdom and knowledge to produce a better quality of life.
Q: What are your qualifications for public office? What makes you a good public official?
A: I have a great amount of influence in my community and with the people. Since being in public office I have built bridges between local government and the community, establishing relationships, and getting residents actively involved and their voices to be heard concerning
issues they may have in the community. I have encountered some people that have the perspective that government is against them and that is not always the case. Government is a form of protection when the laws are followed and respected. I have learned that the lack of knowledge is not an excuse for not following the code of conduct. My mandate is to help bring understanding.
Q: How else have you been involved in the local community?
A: I’m involved with the library. I serve as the liaison. I am out and about with boots on the ground, I came in running with zeal and passion, getting the word out informing the residents of services and activities we offer. I am involved with the Ridge League of Cities. They host monthly meetings along with a dinner networking with local municipalities, keeping us informed on trainings, education and encouraging local involvement in our communities. I am also involved with the Florida League of Cities. I serve on the policy committee that create policies that affect our residents and municipalities. I am active in certain trainings learning about my position as a Vice Mayor and a commissioner. I was recently afforded the opportunity to sit with the Florida’s House Representative Sam Killebrew for District 48 which serves my region, and I learned a lot on how to be more effective in serving the residents and the community.
Q: What inspired you to go into public office?
A: I’ve always had a love for people. It is a natural gift. People in my community would often contact me with concerns that they were having with town hall, code enforcement, etc. And I was that voice for them, speaking on their behalf. They for some reason thought I was a liaison. I have always been an advocate. I had no idea I was being groomed to become an elected official. I started attending the town meetings that were held twice monthly on Tuesday nights although it was my Bible study nights, I would carve out time for those meetings. I wanted to be a greater influence in my city. I was sometimes given the opportunity to do the invocation. I started getting invites from other municipalities nearby to come in and give the invocations. I would sit in on their meetings. I was encouraged throughout the community to run for a seat and when the opportunity became available, fearing my history would hinder me, I muster up the courage to pick up the qualifying candidate package, I received the required signatures needed to get on the ballot from my community. My name was place on the ballot as a candidate I won the race by a landslide. It was my time. It was a historical moment for me and the town of Dundee. It was the rest of the story.
Q: To what do you owe your success?
A: I would say tenacity, influence, a love for all people. I had a dream one night that I was a philanthropist; a person who donates to charity. My contribution was to give my time, and continued involvement to the residents and community. People don’t care how much you know the want to know how much you care.
Q: What are your goals as a politician?
A: I would like to see affordable housing, infrastructure, growth and development, and more businesses added to our town. It will bring more jobs and opportunities and increase the economy. I desire to learn more about laws which provide protection to us as citizens and protects from abuse from organizations even the government itself at times. I am very interested to grow in politics. I will pursue the necessary trainings and take advantage of the necessary resources that are available to achieve my goals causing me to be a more effective elected official to help the people. With growth and developments rapidly happening it is bound to have impact on the laws, it would help me keep my finger on the pulse for what is happening in local, state and even national levels of government.
Q: What are your overall expectations?
A: I am very, honored and it is a privileged to embrace this predestined moment. I realized more each day as I involve myself, I was chosen for this moment. It was part of my purpose and destiny, it was ordained by God. I have uniquely been chosen for this office. I am excited to be here. I will give it best. I am 66 years in age. Once upon a time, that age would have been a factor that would hinder my opportunity to advance in politics, but I am not going to allow that to hinder me once re-election occurs again. The people voted for because they trusted me, to be their voice and representation, it can happen again. I am not a mediocre person. I want to be an example of an elected official, not only in title, but accompanied with works and action, faith without works is dead. I want my works to speak for me.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrests five men and one juvenile for possession of child pornography
In about a span of one week, detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested five local men and a 16-year old male juvenile for possession of child pornography.
Investigations of the suspects began after detectives received tips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the passing of child pornography on the internet.
“The images and videos located during this investigation are horrific. We are committed to protecting our children from those who possess, trade, and distribute child pornography. These men are a part of a worldwide underground child pornography distribution market – the demand for this vile material harms children and ruins lives. I appreciate the hard work our detectives did that was necessary to file these charges. Working to keep our children safe is the most important thing we do.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The following are the six most recent arrests for possession of child pornography, which is a Felony of the Third Degree. However, the charges are enhanced to a Felony of the Second Degree if the suspect possesses 10 or more images of child pornography and at least one image contains any of the following criteria: image depicting a child younger than the age of 5, image depicts sadomasochistic abuse of a child, image depicts sexual battery of a child, image depicts sexual bestiality involving a child, or there is a video involving the sexual exploitation of a child.
Alejandro Manuel Resto Rodriguez, 20, from Winter Haven.
A NCMEC tip was sent to the PCSO in regards to child pornography being transferred via the Discord instant messaging platform. On December 5, 2022, PCSO detectives determined that Rodriguez had downloaded and viewed child pornography on his cell phone. An initial search of that device revealed 94 files of children between a few months old to eight years of age engaging in lewd acts.
Rodriguez was charged with 94 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography.
Jonathan Omar Baez Rivera, 18, from Haines City.
A NCMEC tip was sent to the PCSO in regards to child pornography was transferred via the Instagram platform. On December 6, 2022, detectives met with Rivera and it was learned that he had also used the Snapchat platform to view child pornography. During an initial search of Rivera’s cell phone, 17 files were found which showed children between one and nine years of age engaged in sexually explicit lewd acts.
Rivera was charged with 17 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography.
Ian James Vache, 47, from Lakeland.
A NCMEC tip was provided to the PCSO regarding child pornography uploaded via a Google email account. On December 7, 2022, detectives met with Vache and he admitted to seeing child pornography online, but denied downloading it. However, and initial search of Vache’s cell phone revealed 160 files that showed children, some younger than six months of age, engaged in lewd acts.
While on scene, detectives also found a glass pipe containing methamphetamine.
Vache was charged with enhanced possession of child pornography (160 counts), possession of methamphetamine (F3) and possession of drug paraphernalia (M1).
Vache’s prior criminal history includes Battery, Narcotics, Trespassing, DUI, and Driving While License Suspended/Revoked.
Marco Cepeda, Jr., 24, from Lakeland
PCSO detectives received a NECMEC tip about child pornography having been uploaded on a Dropbox account. On December 7, 2022, detectives met with Cepeda at his residence and located a digital storage device in which seven child pornography images were found during an initial search.
Cepeda was charged with seven counts of possession of child pornography.
Cepeda has a prior criminal history which includes battery on a law enforcement officer and battery on Fire/EMS.
Emanuel Paulino-Correa, 18, from Poinciana.
A NCMEC tip regarding the uploading and sharing of child pornography via the Kik instant messaging app was provided to the PCSO. On November 30, 2022, detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in Poinciana and recovered a cell phone in Paulino-Correa’s bedroom. A search of the phone revealed 30 images of children engaged in sexual conduct.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Paulino-Correa, and located him that same day.
Paulino-Correa was charged with 30 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography.
Eric Dickerson, Jr., 16, from Davenport
A NCMEC tip was provided to the PCSO regarding child pornography uploaded via a Google account. Detectives met with Dickerson and a parent at their residence on December 8, 2022. During a search of his desktop computer, 25 files of children engaged in sexual conduct were discovered.
Dickerson was charged with 25 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography.
During each of these investigations, other electronic devices owned by the suspects are taken, and a forensic search is conducted on them. If any additional child pornography is located during the search, the suspect will be charged accordingly.
Polk County Fire Rescue Captain Charged For An Alleged Inappropriate Sexual Relationship With Cadet
Winter Haven, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Winter Haven Police Department have arrested Polk County Fire Rescue Captain Matthew Aaron D’Alto, 31, of Bartow charging him with 2 counts of Traveling To Meet A Minor and 2 counts of Unlawful Sexual Activity with Certain Minors. The arrests came back on November 9 & November 15, 2022. This past week Polk County Courts combined the two arrests into one case. According to reports the victim is a cadet in training. “ Fire Rescue Cadets is a youth organization sponsored by Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) and chartered under the Florida Fire Chiefs Association (FFCA). PCFR is designated as the chartered organization. Membership is open to all young adults who are 14 years old and have completed the eighth grade or is 15 years of age and not yet 19.”
According to Deputy County Manager Halman, “Aaron D’Alto resigned following his arrest last month. Had D’Alto not resigned, we would have conducted an administrative inquiry; after which, his employment would have been terminated.”
Below is a copy of the affidavit: It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Winter Haven Police Department. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions:
“On November 8, 2022, I responded to the Winter Haven Police Department in reference to a Sexual Battery on Juvenile call for service. I was advised the sexual battery had occurred at the Lake Maude Nature Park, 1751 7th Street Northeast, Winter Haven, around April of 2022.
I made contact with victim, REDACTED who advised REDACTED advised a requirement for the program was to complete 8 hours a month volunteering at Fire Stations within Polk County. REDACTED advised cadets would need to contact a fire station of their choice and obtain approval from the Captain on shift to complete a ride along.
REDACTED advised in the past she had volunteered at Station 37, located at 1201 Cypress Parkway, Poinciana, where she worked along the side of the Fire Captain (Defendant), Aaron D’Alto. REDACTED stated during her time as a cadet at Station 37, she and D’Alto would communicate through Tik Tok messages about video games. REDACTED stated during their communication, D’Alto asked for her phone number since he was unable to send GIF’s through the Tik Tok messages. REDACTED then provided her phone number to D’Alto, who then texted her back from phone number REDACTED. The victim, REDACTED, advised her and D’Alto initially texted about video games. Around mid-May, ” REDACTED and D’Alto made arrangements to meet at the Lakeland Square Mall, located at 3800 US Highway 98 North, to watch a Doctor Strange movie together. On May 26th, REDACTED and D’Alto drove separately to the Lakeland Square Mall, watched the movie together, ate at Chipotle, and then visited iPanic Escape Room. A photograph of the victim, REDACTED, and D’Alto was taken by the iPanic Escape Room staff and was later posted on their Facebook page, iPanic Florida. REDACTED advised there was no sexual contact during their time together at the Lakeland Square Mall. REDACTED advised after May 26th, the text message conversations began to become more sexual in nature. REDACTED and D’Alto arranged to meet in the late evening hours of May 28th, at the Applebee’s Grill and Bar, located at 201 Cypress Boulevard Southwest. REDACTED had arranged to drive her personal vehicle and park in the Applebee’s parking lot. D’Alto would then pick her up in his red Dodge Ram (REDACTED) and then ride with D’Alto to the Lake Maude Nature Park. REDACTED stated once at the park, D’Alto parked his vehicle in the shaded areas. REDACTED and D’Alto then moved to the back seat with intentions to engage in sexual intercourse. REDACTED advised D’Alto and her began to kiss, where he then began undress.
(Editors note: We are REDACTING the specific details of the alleged sexual encounter between the victim and defendant).
After the sexual intercourse, they placed their clothing back on and began to drive back to Applebee’s. REDACTED advised they did stop at the CVS, located at 400 6th Street Northwest, where D’Alto entered and purchased a Plan B pill for REDACTED. REDACTED advised she took the Plan B pill that night. REDACTED continued to advise of two similar incidents with D’Alto that occurred at a later date in Saddle Creek, Lakeland (Polk County Sheriff’s Office Case 22-47019).
During the above interview, REDACTED provided a total of 166 screenshots of D’Alto’s and hers text message conversations. In the screenshots, D’Alto and REDACTED are seen arranging the trip to Lake Maude Nature Park. In several of the screenshots provided there were photographs of D’Alto sent from his behalf.
On November 8th, myself and Polk County Sheriff’s Office Detective Foster, made contact with D’Alto at his residence, Bartow. During the consensual interview, D’Alto knowing REDACTED is a cadet. D’Alto advised REDACTED would do many ride alongs at station 37. D’Alto denied ever hanging out with REDACTED outside of the station on their personal time.
D’Alto was shown the Panic Escape Room photograph and advised that he and had made their own plans to watch the Doctor Strange Movie at the Lakeland Square Mall. D’Alto advised after the movie they went to the Escape Room and recalled being with her that day.
D’Alto confirmed his phone number being REDACTED and stated no one else has had access to his cellphone.
Due to the investigation above, I found probable cause to charge D’Alto with one count of Unlawful Sex with Certain Minors, one count of Traveling to Meet a Minor.
Main Street Bartow Celebrates 4th Annual Mistletoe Market
by James Coulter
While the holidays are a jolly occasion for folks in this part of the world, for other people across the globe, their season is not quite as joyous. In the words of the famous song, “do they know it’s Christmastime at all?”
Fortunately, thanks to the generous endeavors of organizations like Trades of Hope, many of the less fortunate are faring much better. Trades of Hope sells items made by people in other countries, paying them 100 times their asking price to allow them to support themselves and their families.
Tawny Austin has been helping sell these items for the past five years. An Auburndale resident, she sold many of them in her hometown, but was invited to sell them in Bartow at the Downtown Market. She appreciated being able to attend the recent Mistletoe Market, as it allowed her to continue her organization’s generous mission.
“We have the ability to work but not every country has that opportunity; so we are providing that opportunity by teaching them how to make these products and sell them,” Austin said. “We have had an amazing day, I have been meeting awesome people, and people have been loving the mission and getting involved.”
Trades of Austin was one of the 100 vendors that attended the Fourth Annual Mistletoe Market in Downtown Bartow last Saturday. Hosted by Main Street Bartow, the annual holiday market drew in countless attendees to peruse the wares of local artists and craftsmen.
From holiday wreaths and ornaments to custom tumblers and hot sauces, almost anything and everything was on sale for the holiday season. Attendees could also meet and take photos of Santa and even mail him letters addressed to the North Pole.
Many attendees and vendors were dressed in their holiday best. Even goats were dressed up for the holidays. Yes! One resident took her pet goat out for a walk dressed in a Santa hat.
Melinda Gouldsbully took her miniature goat, Napoleon, out for a walk to see the vendors and meet Santa. She owned him ever since he was six weeks old. Over the past five years, she has taken him out for walks and visited different places like the Mistletoe Market.
“We are just getting some Christmas spirit today,” Melinda said. “I love the crafts and the atmosphere and all the people and Napoleon is so used to people and having his photos taken.”
Linda Holcomb, Executive Director of Bartow Main Street, commended the event for drawing in more than 100 vendors and countless attendees. She especially loved seeing a diverse selection of arts and crafts on display. She owes the overwhelming success of the turnout for the Mistletoe Market to both the good weather and the event’s overall reputation.
“The weather is perfect for people to come out,” Holcomb said. “The community embraces the downtown events. They come out. They shop. They buy from the local vendors. They eat at the local eateries. So it is very much successful from various standpoints.”
