Winter Haven Police Department:
Two Guys – Two TVs Each – $1,612 Walk Out
The two males pictured below went to Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd) on July 30th around 11:45 a.m. They enter at separate times, but each select two 50″ tvs and walk straight out with no attempt to pay.
They both are seen exiting and entering an unknown type dark colored sedan.
If anyone recognizes either of these two, please call Sgt. Hall at 863-291-5736.
PCSO undercover detectives and partnering agencies conducted an undercover operation from July 27th through August 1, 2021, during which detectives posed as juveniles 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. Detectives from the Auburndale Police Department, Orlando Police Department, Winter Haven Police Department, and Orange County Sheriff’s Office, participated in “Operation Child Protector.”
The suspects communicated with and solicited who they thought were children between the ages of 13 and 14 for sex acts. The suspects showed up to an undercover location in Polk County at separate times to meet who they thought were children, to sexually batter them. Some of them transmitted pornographic images while grooming and soliciting the children online, and they were appropriately charged for that as well.
In all, detectives arrested 17 suspects, who face a total of 49 felony and two misdemeanor charges which include: traveling to meet a minor for sex, attempted lewd battery, use of a computer to seduce a child, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and transmission of material harmful to a child; six suspects brought condoms, and nine suspects have criminal histories (with 27 total previous felonies, and 22 total previous misdemeanors). The youngest suspect arrested is 26 years old, and the two oldest suspects are 47 years old. They were all from the central Florida area, except one suspect who was here visiting from California.
Those arrested, in order of arrest, are:
1. 26-year-old Kenneth Javier Aquino of Orlando. On July 27, 2021, Aquino engaged in an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He asked the “girl” to send photos, and sent her an explicit video of himself. They also communicated via text messaging on cell phones. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then arrived as soon as he got off work, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he is a lifeguard at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Walt Disney World. When he arrived at the undercover location he was still wearing his Disney polo shirt, swimming trunks, and Crocs. He told detectives he is a Navy veteran and has a pregnant girlfriend. His criminal history includes previous arrests for possession of marijuana, possession of a concealed weapon, and failure to appear.
Aquino was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
· One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
· One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
· One count Transmission of Material Harmful to Minor (F-3)
2. 41-year-old Irving Oliver of Lakeland. On July 27, 2021, Oliver engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. They then texted back and forth via cell phones. He repeatedly asked the “girl” if she wanted to have sex with him, and asked for the address to the undercover location. He arrived at the location and was arrested without incident. His criminal history includes prior arrests for battery domestic violence, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, violation of injunction for protection, no valid DL, and failure to appear.
Oliver was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
3. 33-year-old Jarrod Justice of Los Angeles, California. On July 27, 2021, Justice, while on vacation from California, engaged in an online conversation via a messaging app with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. They then texted back and forth via cell phones. He discussed what he wanted to do with her sexually when he arrived, and promised to bring condoms. When he arrived at the undercover location with the condoms, she asked him to bring him some candy, so he drove to a store and bought her some Sour Patch Kids. He returned to the location, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he’s married and he works at Best Buy.
Justice was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
4. 31-year-old Lior Enbar of Orlando. On July 27, 2021, Enbar engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. He then began calling her cell phone, using *67 to block his number. He asked the “girl” for photos and videos, and discussed what he wanted to do with the girl sexually. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove there, with condoms, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that lives with his parents and he’s a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver.
Enbar was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
· Giving False info to LEO (M1)
5. 30-year-old Joshua Ortega of Davenport. On July 29, 2021, Ortega engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl, then asked for her phone number and communicated with her that way. He told the “girl” what he wanted to do with her sexually and promised her that he had condoms and wouldn’t get her pregnant. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then walked there, with condoms, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he’s unemployed and lives with his mother, and that he walked to the location to have sex with the girl because he hasn’t had sex in a while. His criminal history includes previous arrests for possession of cocaine and marijuana, burglary, grand theft, no valid DL, and violation of probation. He was released from state prison in January 2020. Detectives found PCP and drug paraphernalia concealed in his wallet.
Ortega was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
• One count Introduction of Contraband into a Detention Facility (F-3)
• One count Possession of PCP (F-3)
• One count Possession of Paraphernalia (M-1)
6. 45-year-old Julio Enrique Cedeno, Jr. of Zephyrhills. On July 29, 2021, Cedeno engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl, then asked for her phone number and communicated with her that way. He told the “girl” what he wanted to do with her sexually and asked her for photos, videos, or to video chat. He sent her explicit photos of himself. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove there, with condoms, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he’s married, and he’s a self-employed general contractor. His criminal history includes previous arrests for aggravated battery, battery, theft, and violation of probation.
Cedeno was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• Two counts Transmission of Material Harmful to Minor (F-3)
• One count Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device (F-3)
7. 47-year-old Juan Guadalupe-Arroyo of Davenport. On July 30, 2021, Guadalupe-Arroyo engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He told the “boy” that he was 40 years old and told him what he wanted to do with the boy sexually. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove there, with condoms, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he’s a registered nurse at Adventhealth Care Center in Celebration.
Guadalupe-Arroyo was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Misrepresenting Age Online/Use of Computer to Seduce a Child (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
8. 36-year-old Carlos Flores of Orlando. On July 30, 2021, Flores engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl, then asked for her phone number and communicated with her that way. He told the “girl” that he was 17 years old, and that he wanted to have sex with her in his car. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove to the area, with condoms, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he’s the manager of the Starbucks at the Orlando International Airport.
Flores was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Misrepresenting Age Online/Use of Computer to Seduce a Child (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
9. 47-year-old Enrique Medina of Orlando. On July 30, 2021, Medina engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl, then asked for her phone number and communicated with her that way. He told the “girl” the things that he wanted to do with her sexually. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove to the area, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he is employed by Celmark International in the sanitation department.
Medina was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
10. 30-year-old Adam Smith of Kissimmee. On July 30, 2021, Smith engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl, then asked for her phone number and communicated with her that way. He told the “girl” the things that he wanted to do with her sexually. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove to there, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he is employed as a maintenance technician at a hotel in the Old Town area of Kissimmee. His criminal history includes previous arrests for battery domestic violence, tampering with evidence, and violation of probation.
Smith was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
11. 27-year-old Jeremiah Davis of Clewiston. On July 31, 2021, Davis engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl, then asked for her phone number and communicated with her that way. He told the “girl” the things that he wanted to do with her sexually. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove to the area, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he is an Army veteran and currently employed by the city of Clewiston as a garbage truck driver.
Davis was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
12. 44-year-old Thomas Snyder of Lakeland. On July 31, 2021, Snyder engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy, then asked for his phone number and communicated with him that way. He sent an explicit photo to the “boy” and told the “boy” the things that he wanted to do with him sexually. He asked for the address to the undercover location and took an Uber to the area, where he was arrested. He told deputies that he is a custodian at the Valencia Hills nursing home in Lakeland.
Snyder was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
• One count Transmission of Material Harmful to Minor (F-3)
13. 34-year-old David Ring of Lakeland. On July 31, 2021, Ring engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. He sent the girl several explicit images and videos of himself, and told the “girl” the things that he wanted to do with her sexually. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove to there, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he is unemployed. His criminal history includes previous arrests for knowingly driving while license suspended.
Ring was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
• Four counts Transmission of Material Harmful to Minor (F-3)
14. 27-year-old Philip Nelson of Polk City. On July 31, 2021, Nelson engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl, then asked for her phone number and communicated with her that way. He told the “girl” the things that he wanted to do with her sexually. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove to the area, where he was arrested after a traffic stop while trying to leave the area. He told deputies that he is an apprentice line technician for Powertown Line Construction, and that he left his two children at home with his mother when he traveled to have sex with the minor. His criminal history includes a previous arrest for battery.
Nelson was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
15. 34-year-old Jonathan McGrew of Kissimmee. On August 1, 2021, McGrew engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He told the “girl” that he wanted her to come to his apartment and have sex with him and his girlfriend, Savannah Lawrence. He sent videos of him and his girlfriend performing sex acts on each other. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then he and Lawrence took an Uber to the location, where they were arrested without incident. McGrew communicated with another undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl during the same time frame, also telling her that he wanted to have sex with her. Upon their arrests, McGrew and Lawrence told deputies that they are custodians at Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios. His criminal history includes a previous arrest for leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death (in Illinois).
McGrew was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• Two counts Transmission of Material Harmful to Minor (F-3)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
16. 29-year-old Savannah Lawrence of Kissimmee. On August 1, 2021, Lawrence’s boyfriend, Jonathan McGrew engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. McGrew told the “girl” that he wanted her to come to his apartment and have sex with him and his girlfriend, Lawrence. McGrew sent videos of the pair performing sex acts on each other. Lawrence rode with McGrew in an Uber to the location, where they were arrested without incident. They told deputies that they are custodians at Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios.
Lawrence was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
• One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
17. 37-year-old Edward McGaffigan of Orlando. On August 1, 2021, McGaffigan engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl, then asked for her phone number and communicated with her that way. He told the “girl” that he wanted to have sex with her, then he sent her several explicit photos of himself. Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, and he was taken into custody at his Orlando home. He told deputies that he is a professional poker player. His criminal history includes a previous arrest for DUI (in Virginia).
McGaffigan was arrested in Orlando on the Polk warrant and booked into the Orange County Jail for:
• One count Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device (F-3)
• Three counts Transmission of Material Harmful to Minor (F-3)
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal vehicle crash at around 9:00 p.m. Monday evening, August 2, 2021, on K-Ville Avenue just east of Rowell Street in unincorporated Auburndale.
According to the preliminary investigation, 26-year-old Sergio Ramirez-Padilla of Auburndale was driving a Ford Explorer east on K-Ville Avenue. At the same time, 33-year-old Sean Rhodan of Lakeland was driving a gray 2008 Chevrolet Malibu west on K-Ville Avenue. Also traveling west in a white 2013 Dodge Dart, behind Mr. Rhodan, was 30-year-old Ashley Ollins of Winter Haven.
As he was driving around a curve, Mr. Ramirez-Padilla crossed the centerline and struck the Malibu head-on. The Malibu spun to the north shoulder of the road. The Explorer caught fire and ended up on the south shoulder of the road. Mr. Ramirez-Padilla was able to exit his truck before collapsing on the ground.
The Dart sustained minimal damage from debris caused by the crash. Ms. Ollins pulled off the roadway and was uninjured. She had three passengers in her vehicle who were also uninjured.
Mr. Ramirez-Padilla was transported to a local hospital where he is currently in stable condition.
Mr. Rhodan was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
K-Ville Avenue was closed in both directions between Rowell Street and Sun Acres Boulevard for approximately five hours.
The crash remains under investigation.
Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 12:15 p.m. this afternoon (Tuesday, August 3, 2021) about a six-day long undercover investigation focusing on those who prey upon children online, at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center located at 1891 Jim Keene Blvd in Winter Haven.
The Auburndale, Orlando, and Winter Haven Police Departments and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office participated in this investigation, which resulted in 17 suspects arrested for a total of 49 felonies and two misdemeanors. All of the suspects were from the central Florida area (Clewiston, Davenport, Kissimmee, Orlando, Polk City, Zephyrhills) and one was visiting central Florida from Los Angeles.
The suspects were charged with felonies such as: traveling to meet a minor for sex, attempted lewd battery, use of a computer to seduce a child, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and transmission of material harmful to a child; six suspects brought condoms to the undercover location, in hopes of having sex with a 13- or 14-year-old child; nine suspects have criminal histories.
On Monday, August 2, 2021, detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested a Lakeland man after their investigation determined he had inappropriate sexual contact with a child under 10-years old, whom he had custodial access to.
32-year old Eric Roe was charged with Sexual Battery by Custodian (Capital Felony) and Lewd/Lascivious Molestation (Life Felony).
“A crime such as this is absolutely sickening. The victim is so young, and the perpetrator is in a position of trust; he was someone the child should have been able to look up to. We are going to do everything we can to hold him accountable and make sure he does not have access to victimize a child again.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Deputies first became aware of the allegations at about 1:55 PM on Monday, when the mother of the victim reported that Roe had just admitted to her that he touch her child inappropriately. She told the deputy that when the victim told her about numerous incidents, she immediately confronted Roe and he said what he did was, “animalistic” and he was ashamed of “fondling” the victim.The victim’s mother reported that she believed Roe left with a firearm and was acting suicidal.
At about 4:30 PM, deputies located Roe at Gator Creek Reserve, and in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
During an interview with detectives, Roe initially admitted to molesting the victim approximately five times, beginning when the victim was as young as 4-years old. He later said it happened between eight and ten times.
Eric Roe was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Processing Center where he was booked-in.
“Dude…is that like…a security camera?”
These two guys burglarized a building under construction near Kathleen Middle School in Lakeland on July 17th.
Once inside, they helped themselves to a lot of tools.
Maybe they will be building homes for the needy. Nah…probably not.
On the bright side, they were kind enough to look directly at the security camera, so we have a pretty good look at them.
If you recognize these two, please contact Detective B. Knight at 863-577-1600 (Case #21-29905).
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
This is from a Polk County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Post
A Winter Haven man is back behind bars after he fired a handgun five feet away from a child trying to separate two dogs that were fighting.
On July 29, 2021 at approximately 9 a.m., a young girl was walking a dog along Ave. L SE in Winter Haven. Another dog charged towards the dog on the leash and attacked the dog. The child started screaming and attempted to pull the leash to get the dog away to no avail.
A neighbor came out in an attempt to help when 28 year-old Taylor Tanner, who was five feet away from the girl, pulled a handgun from his pocket and fired the gun into the air. Tanner stated it was in an attempt to separate the dogs, which did not work.
Ultimately the dogs did separate and upon officers’ arrival, Tanner was taken into custody. It is unknown at this time the extent of either dogs’ injuries. Neither the child nor the neighbor were injured.
Tanner was also found to have a warrant for Violation of Probation for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Tanner was charged with two counts of Agg Assault with a Dealy Weapon W/O Intent to Kill (F.S.S. 784.021(1)(A) – F3 and one count of Discharge of a Firearm in a Residential Area (F.S.S. 790.15(4) – M1. He was booked into the Polk County Jail.
“We cannot express enough how dangerous it is to fire a weapon in the air especially in close proximity to other people,” said Chief David Brannan. “The old adage, ‘What goes up must come down’ is absolutely true and that bullet could easily have hit someone and caused serious injury or worse.”
Bartow, Fla. (July 30, 2021) — Polk County’s Rental and Utilities Assistance program application deadline has been extended to Aug. 13.
The Board of County Commissioners allocated $17 million for the program earlier this year and the county began taking applications June 1. The application deadline had been set for Aug. 3 but was extended to give those who need it more time to apply.
This funding can provide up to $12,000 in assistance directly to landlords, property management and utility companies on behalf of qualifying Polk County residents.
Applicants must be delinquent on rent or utilities at the time of their application. Funds are offered on a first-come, first-served basis until the allocation is gone.
Information about income restrictions, the paperwork required to apply, and other program eligibility requirements can be found on the county website at www.polk-county.net/covid-19/rental-and-utilities-assistance-program.
***MISSING PERSON***We’re in need of your help in locating Robert Waylon Murphy, who went missing on July 11, 2021.
He is 42 years of age.
If you know of any information regarding his current whereabouts, contact our dispatch center at (863) 773-4144.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted on our free mobile app.
Winter Haven Police Department
Let’s save space and profile two of our skip-scanners from Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd). They were not working together and as far as we know, didn’t know the other one. They just both happened to do the same thing a day apart and earn their way to this page.
On July 19th, the female on the right skip-scanned multiple items at the self-checkout registers. She is seen leaving in a tan SUV.
And you probably know what’s next. The woman on the left went to the same Walmart on July 20th and, well, did the same thing. She was seen leaving in a Honda Accord.
If anyone recognizes either of these two women, please contact Sgt. Hall at 863-291-5736.
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