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Help Winter Haven Police Identify Home Burglary Suspects

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Help Winter Haven Police Identify Home Burglary Suspects

Release by Winter Haven Police Department:
Help Identify Home Burglary Suspects
On 2-20-2020 at approximately 11:35 a.m., a resident on Brenton Manor Loop in Winter Haven returned home for lunch and entered the home through the garage.
As he entered the home, he heard rustling sounds. As he started to look around, he saw two black males running out through a broken sliding glass door of the home. He attempted to follow the suspects, but lost them after they climbed over a fence The resident was not injured.
A canvas of the neighborhood shows the two suspects walking around the neighborhood approximately one hour prior. At times, they stop in front of homes, enter into driveways and then continue on. The video provided by one neighbor was captured on Brenton Manor Dr and also B Moore Rd.
The suspects are described as both being approximately 5’11”, medium build and one with dreads.
Take a look at the clothing and if you recognize either of these from yesterday, please call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

Circle K Customer Shatters Glass Door and Gets A Free Ride To Jail After He Pitches Fit Over Lack of Funds To Pay For His Items

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Circle K Customer Shatters Glass Door and Gets A Free Ride To Jail After He Pitches Fit Over Lack of Funds To Pay For His Items

Release by Winter Haven Police Department:
No Money To Pay? Break A Door And Go To Jail!
Twenty-two year-old Jacob Martin found out that when you don’t have money for your purchases, kicking a door and shattering the glass isn’t the best option.
Last night, Jacob was attempting to purchase some items at the Circle K at the corner of Cypress Gardens Blvd. and Cypress Gardens Rd. After the cashier rang up the items, Jacob discovered he didn’t have enough money. Well, not really liking the lack of money aspect and the fact the store clerk wouldn’t change the amount, Jacob pushed the items over the counter towards the cashier and then proceeded to pitch another fit as he went towards the door. His belligerent behavior resulted in him kicking the glass door shattering it causing $800 worth of damage.
Officers were quickly on scene and gave Jacob the FREE ride to enjoy a wonderful stay at the Polk County Jail where he can mull over his actions and the consequences.
Hmmm, if he couldn’t pay for the items at the store, one wonders if he can pay the $500 bail.

Fatal Crash on Hwy 17 Tuesday Morning Involved Man on Bike

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Fatal Crash on Hwy 17 Tuesday Morning Involved Man on Bike

Release by Winter Haven Police Department:


56 year-old Richard Sturm, who worked as a kitchen manager with The Mission in Winter Haven, was riding his bike southbound along the northbound side of the road when for unknown reasons he fell off of the bike and landed in the roadway in the area of Ave. G SW and 3rd St SW (Hwy 17). The crash occurred at approximately 5:50 a.m. causing the roadway to be shut down.
Witnesses saw Sturm riding along the sidewalk, however were unable to see what caused Sturm to fall off the bike landing into the roadway.
A Ford Windstar van driven by Harold Bing of Winter Haven was traveling northbound in the outside lane moments before Sturm fell into the roadway. Bing was unable to avoid Sturm as he was in the road.
Bing immediately stopped to render aide and is fully cooperating with the investigation.
US 17 was shut down for almost 5 hours. The investigation is ongoing.

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In South Lake Wales Crash

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Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In South Lake Wales Crash

Lake Wales, Florida – According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office a motorcyclist is in serious condition after an accident in South Lake Wales. The accident occurred around 5:20pm on ABC Rd near Hey 27 (that stretch of road is also known as Pinecrest Rd on GPS maps). According to preliminary reports the motorcyclist struck the back of a Jeep. The motorcyclist was transported via helicopter for immediate medical attention. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office list the man in serious condition.

The roadway was shut down for approximately 3 hours until 8:30pm. We will update this article as more information is obtained.

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In South Lake Wales Crash

How Autoimmune Disease Affects The Eyes

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How Autoimmune Disease Affects The Eyes

Autoimmune Disease can affect the body in different ways depending on which disease you have. I recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Bradley Fouraker, M.D. who is a board-certified ophthalmologist.  Dr. Fouraker is affiliated with Tampa General Hospital and Brandon Hospital. He sees many patients with autoimmune related eye conditions, and patients are often referred to him because of these conditions. Dr. Fouraker stated that, “Inflammation is the main cause of issues related to how autoimmune diseases affect the eyes.”  Here are some conditions below that come about from inflammation wreaking havoc on the eyes as pointed out by Dr. Fouraker.

The most common eye condition that is caused by an autoimmune disease is chronic dry eye, also referred to as keratitis sicca, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Chronic dry eye that is in conjunction with an autoimmune disorder is persistent in nature. Treatment for chronic dry eye is artificial tears, but in some cases (mine) artificial tears are not enough and more treatment is required. Restasis which is an immunosuppressant agent used to treat chronic dry eye caused by inflammation according to their website can be prescribed as the next step. In cases when Restasis and artificial tears can’t combat the dry eye; tear duct plugs also called punctal plugs can be inserted directly into the tear duct to help the eye retain moisture and to prevent further complications in the affected eye.

Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks glands that secrete tears (lacrimal glands) and glands that secrete saliva (salivary glands). This condition is characterized by a dry mouth and dry eyes. Other parts of the body can be affected as well like the joints, thyroid, kidneys, lungs, liver, and skin according to the Mayo Clinic. Sjogren’s can be managed with the same treatment methods as chronic dry eye. Systemic drugs like Plaquenil or even Methotrexate may be used to suppress the immune system to try and control the disease.

Another type of eye condition caused by inflammation of the eye is iritis, also referred to as anterior uveitis, which is inflammation of the iris (the colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil). Iritis can only be diagnosed by an ophthalmologist. Symptoms include redness of the eye, pain in the eye, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and blurry vision. The main treatment is steroid eye drops, and eye drops that dilate the pupil as to ease the pain and the risk of complications in the affected eye.

Scleritis is inflammation of the sclera (the white part of the eye). This is a painful condition with symptoms that include redness of the sclera, severe photophobia, and a decrease in vision. Treatment can include steroid drops, non-steroidal medications, antibiotic drops, and according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology in severe cases immunosuppressant drugs can be given.

The conditions listed above are the most common forms of the immune system attacking the eyes. In rare and more severe cases inflammation can affect the retina, this is called retinitis (inflammation of the retina located at the back of the eye). Also, autoimmune disease could lead to cataracts that form on the lens of the eye, causing cloudy or hazy vision, as well as glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a condition that causes the pressures in the eye to elevate, this response can then damage the optic nerve resulting in permanent vision loss. Vision loss can be prevented with early treatment designed to lower the eye pressure. Constant monitoring is needed by an ophthalmologist that specializes in glaucoma.

I would like to inform you that this article is not intended as medical advice and should not be used in place of seeking medical help from a licensed medical professional. It is just here to bring awareness to the many ways autoimmune disease can affect the body. Thank you for reading this article, I hope it was able to help you in some way, or at least enlighten others on the effects of autoimmune disease. Have a blessed day and keep on fighting warriors.

 

Signed a fellow warrior,

Amy Archibald

PCSO Deputy Sheriff arrested by Florida Highway Patrol for DUI

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PCSO Deputy Sheriff arrested by Florida Highway Patrol for DUI

PCSO Deputy Sheriff arrested by Florida Highway Patrol for DUI

On February 15, 2020 at approximately 2:54 a.m., Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Seth Morozowski   (28) was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol for driving under the influence. Deputy Morozowski has been suspended with pay pending termination proceedings.

According to the FHP affidavit: at around 2:30 a.m., February 15, an FHP trooper pulled in behind Morozowski’s personally owned vehicle that was stopped on the outside shoulder on eastbound Interstate 4 approaching the N Kingsway Road overpass near Seffner. When the trooper came up to the vehicle and made contact, he detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle. When Morozowski exited the vehicle, he was observed as being unsteady, and he ultimately failed to satisfactorily perform several standardized field sobriety exercises.

Morozowski was arrested and transported to the Hillsborough County Jail, where his breath samples yielded results of .212 g/210L and .209 g/210L.

Morozowski is employed as a K-9 deputy sheriff and had been with the Sheriff’s Office for 9 years and 2 months. His salary is $56,099.

Breaking News: PCSO Is On Scene of a Person Deceased on Train Tracks near Oakview Ave and Dairy Rd in Auburndale

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Breaking News: PCSO Is On Scene of a Person Deceased on Train Tracks near Oakview Ave and Dairy Rd in Auburndale

PCSO Press Release:

UPDATE:

Death Investigation on RR Tracks in Auburndale:

At 12:20 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2020, the PCSO ECC received a 911 call from CSX who advised they saw an adult male walking on the railroad tracks and that he had been struck by an Amtrak train. The victim was located deceased approximately one-half of a mile east of the crossing at Oakview Avenue and Old Lake Alfred Road in Auburndale.

Amtrak Train 98 consisted of 2 engines, nine cars, and was transporting 129 passengers from the Winter Haven Train Station to Kissimmee. The video from the train shows the train was traveling east on the tracks at 57 mph (speed limit is 60 mph) while the victim was walking westbound in the middle of tracks. After the train engineer activated the horn, the victim stepped to the north side of the tracks (just outside the rails). A portion of the train then fatally struck the victim.

The victim was positively identified as 31-year-old Jacob Logan Powell of Lake Alfred.

The Amtrak Train Engineer advised he always sees Powell in that area and near Old Dixie Hwy walking along the railroad tracks. He advised they always blow the horn and Powell moves away from the tracks for the train to pass. Per Powell’s family, he walks to Auburndale via the train tracks on a regular basis and suffers from mental health issues.

There is no foul play suspected. An autopsy will be conducted today.
Original Release:

PCSO is on the scene of a person deceased on train tracks near Oakview Avenue and Dairy Road in Auburndale.

There is an Amtrak train stopped on the tracks while PCSO does their investigation. Please refer any inquiries about the train delay to Amtrak. CSX personnel are also on-scene. The train being stopped is not affecting traffic or any road closures.

The deceased person is an adult male. PCSO is working to positively identify the person and notify his next of kin.

We will bring you more information as it becomes available.

 

Award-Winning Lakeland IT Service Management Company Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Of New Facility

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Award-Winning Lakeland IT Service Management Company Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Of New Facility

Award-Winning Lakeland IT Service Management Company Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Of New Facility

by James Coulter

An award-winning information technology (IT) service management company, which manages the networks for businesses throughout the county, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new location in Lakeland.

Alltek Services had previously operated from a warehouse along Drane Field Road in Lakeland. It has since opened a new larger facility at Interstate Road. The company celebrated its new facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.

Since its humble beginnings 15 years ago, Alltek Services has since grown and expanded its services, offering support for networks throughout the county. Its quality service has earned it many awards, including being recognized as Top Managed IT Service Providers by Tampa Bay Business Journal.

“In short, we are here to shoulder your business IT burden freeing you up to focus on growing your business,” its website states. “Our goal is to provide you with the best solutions to maximize efficiency, increase profitability, communicate effectively, and become the market leader in your industry.”

Such high quality has benefited many local medium-sized businesses, and even important county and city institutions such as the Citrus Connection, which ranked the company with five stars on its website: “Alltek provides superior service. Even with a reduced IT dept, all of our needs are met and we save money in the process. Could not be happier.”

Alltek started humbly enough in a warehouse with two people in 2003. Since then, its staff has grown to 20 people. Such growth has prompted the need for a larger facility, which they opened recently at Interstate Road.

Taher Hamid, Marketing Manager, owes their success to their commitment to the local community. Many of their staff members are locals, and thus have a finger to the pulse of their community. Hamid himself has especially been involved with local affairs.

“I am the one most active within the community,” he said. “People see me the most from Alltek, but that is only because everyone else is working really hard…We are happy that the community is allowing us to do that.”

Amanda Walls, Lakeland Chamber Board Member, had attended Leadership Lakeland Class 36 with Hamid. Having worked alongside him, she can attest that his hard work and determination are key to both his success and that of the company he works for.

“Through that experience, I learned how hard he works, how commited he is to his job, and [to] making Alltek successful, and more importantly, how commited he is to the community,” she said. “I can only imagine that the rest of the team at Alltekreflects those exact same values and principles. So I am very proud and happy to stand with you today to say congratulations on your new location.”

Alltek Services is located at 2850 Interstate Dr. Suite 168, Lakeland, FL 33805. For more information, call 863-709-0709, or visit their website at: https://www.alltekservices.com/

Nearly One Hundred Rise Against Abuse For One Billion Rising Polk County

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Nearly One Hundred Rise Against Abuse For One Billion Rising Polk County

Nearly One Hundred Rise Against Abuse For One Billion Rising Polk County

by James Coulter

“In the middle of this madness, we will stand. I know there is a better world. Take your sisters & your brothers by the hand. Reach out to every woman & girl.”

This was one of the lyrics sung during a flash dance held in solidarity against domestic violence and abuse at Winter Haven on Saturday afternoon.

In Central Park, more than one hundred people of all ages congregated to show their support for domestic abuse victims and survivors and to take a stand against such oppression during the annual One Billion Rising demonstration.

The event started with a drum circle, followed by several guest speakers from local organizations sharing information about methods towards stopping domestic abuse and violence. Also included were several dance performances by students from Lake Alfred Dance Club and Bethune Cookman Elementary School in Haines City.

The big finale came at the very end when students from the different schools led demonstrators in a flash mob dance to One Billion Rise’s anthem, “Break The Chain”, written by Tena Clark and Tim Hertz.

“One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action to end violence against women (cisgender, transgender, and those who hold fluid identities that are subject to gender-based violence) in human history,” the organization’s website states. “The campaign, which launched on Valentine’s Day 2012, began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime.”

Bernie Warren started the Polk County division in 2014. Since then, the annual protest has grown significantly within the Winter Haven community. Each annual celebration includes a week of events through the county, including a student art exhibition at Polk State College and a performance by The Vagina Monologues at Theater Winter Haven.

This year’s weeklong event was the first time they raised money for a local initiative, the Red Tent Initiative, which helps assists the victims of abuse and exploitation. More than $4,000 was raised at the performance of the Monologues, and another $500 was raised during a fundraiser at Jensen’s Bar, Warren said.

“We are very proud of the impact we are able to make this year,” Warren said. “we need to build awareness because the statistic [for abuse and violence against women] is so horrific, we need to take a stand and make people aware…We love the camraderie with other women and other children, and we want to make the future better for this young ones.”

Janet Gomez led the students from Bethune Cookman during the dance. She and her students have been practicing their routine twice a week since January. Even with less than six weeks to practice, they managed to perform their dance well, she said.

Gomez loves the camraderie of the event, but she also loves being able to spread awareness about an important issue such as violence against women and children.

“I think the more and more we bring awareness to the community, to the population at large, the better it is to be informed,” she said. “This is something happening everywhere, not just Winter Haven or Lakeland, it is happening global. So I am glad it is getting the attention it deserves.”

Davenport Man Arrested For 200 Counts Possession Of Child Pornography

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Davenport Man Arrested For 200 Counts Possession Of Child Pornography

PCSO Press Release:

On February 13, 2020, PCSO Computer Crimes detectives obtained a warrant for and arrested 27-year-old Joshua Johnson of Davenport charging him with 200 counts possession of child pornography (enhanced) (F-2). The charges are enhanced because the images/videos met one of the following criteria, per FSS 775.0847:

(a) The offender possesses 10 or more images of any form of child pornography regardless of content; and

(b) The content of at least one image contains one or more of the following:

  1. A child who is younger than the age of 5
  2. Sadomasochistic abuse involving a child
  3. Sexual Battery involving a child
  4. Sexual bestiality involving a child
  5. Any movie involving a child, regardless of length and regardless of whether the movie contains sound. 

Upon Johnson’s arrest, he told deputies he’s been viewing child pornography from a young age, ever since he received his first computer, and that he is “addicted” to it.

“Those who upload and share child pornography are victimizing children over and over again. It is especially concerning when we locate a suspect with this many images, most of which depict very small children being sexually abused. At this time we don’t believe Johnson physically abused a child, but the investigation into that is ongoing.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

The following is an excerpt from his affidavit, and it is self-explanatory (it is also graphic):

“On 02/04/2020, your Affiant was assigned three NCMEC CyberTipline reports 62436169, 62362547 and 63566499. Affiant reviewed the reports, and the Electronic Service Provider (ESP) was found to be Yahoo and Google.

There was a total of six hundred ninety-six (696) images/videos uploaded/reported, of which your Affiant was able to review. Three hundred fifty-seven (357) of those files depict Black, White and Asian pre-pubescent males and females ranging from approximately 3-13 years of age, who are exposing their genitals in a lewd manner, and/or engaged in sexual conduct with other juveniles and/or adult. These files are child pornography as defined by F.S.S. §827.071. (It should be noted there are approximately twenty (20) duplicate images/videos within this total count)

One video depicts a six (6) minute and forty-nine (49) second color video of a white pre-pubescent male approximately 2-4 years of age with an apparent white adult female who engages the juvenile in fellatio (oral sex).  

The remaining three hundred thirty-nine (339) files depict age difficult, child erotica files.

The following information was provided for the second CyberTipline report 62362547 (Google):

Name:

Josh Johnson

Phone #:

1-863-399-5701 (Verified on 09/24/2017 @ 18:58:23 UTC)

E-mail:

[email protected] (Verified)

[email protected]

There was a total of two (2) images uploaded/reported, of which I was able to review. Both images depict white pre-pubescent females ranging from approximately 2-7 years of age exposing their genitals in a lewd manner, and/or engaged in sexual conduct with an adult. These files are child pornography as defined by F.S.S. §827.071.

From the FB post and comments believed to belong to Joshua Johnson, it was learned the suspect was incarcerated during 2016.

Utilizing the provided Department of Corrections number located on the Facebook page (J49917) your Affiant was able to locate Joshua C Johnson, 04/04/1992. Mr. Johnson was released on 08/01/2017 after serving his sentence for Robbery.

The listed “residence upon release” was:

2006 Hemingway Circle

Haines City, FL 33844

Your Affiant conducted a check via DAVID, for the listed name of “Joshua Johnson” with the date of birth found from the DOC information. The following person was located:

Joshua Charles Johnson

W/M, 04/04/1992

2727 Frontage Road

Davenport, FL 33837

A check of the address history showed a previous address change on 04/24/2017 for the residence 2006 Hemingway Circle, Haines City. Your Affiant noted this address to be the same listed address in the DOC “Residence upon release”.

Your Affiant further noted the CyberTipline reports showed the same phone number 1-863-399-5701 was used during creation for both user accounts. 

On 02/07/2020, your Affiant was conducting surveillance at the suspect residence. Upon arrival, your Affiant noted the address was for the “Theme World RV Resort”. There are currently 282 lots located within this resort. Your Affiant utilized the DAVID database (Driver And Vehicle Information Database), and found there was a single camper which was registered to the suspect. Your Affiant surveyed the entire RV Resort and located only 1 camper within the park which matched the make and model (Rockwood by Forest River). Your Affiant further found there was no tag attached to the camper, making it unavailable to identify the registered owner, however it was found parked around marked Lot #51.

Your Affiant responded to the front office of the RV Resort where he made contact with the office manager. Your Affiant identified himself as Law Enforcement with Polk County Sheriff’s Office and also provided his agency issued badge for identification and requested to know who was currently in lot #51. The office manager advised they wouldn’t be able to provide the information requested without more specifics. Your Affiant provided the last name of “Johnson”, and the park manager confirmed suspect Johnson had moved into lot #51 approximately 6 months ago which correlates with suspect Johnson’s address change.

Joshua Johnson has actively been utilizing his cell phone device, registered with T-Mobile to obtain/save images/videos of child pornography.

Joshua Johnson’s identity has been confirmed and he is currently still utilizing the same phone number linked to the child pornography Yahoo/Google accounts. Johnson is being charged with 200 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography based on the approximately 330 counts observed by your Affiant.” 

Johnson’s criminal history includes 4 previous felonies, including armed robbery and VOP in Jacksonville. He was in state prison from March 2016 until August 2017. He is married and has a child. He will have a first appearance hearing on February 14, 2020.

 

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