Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, Friday, May 1, 2026, at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd in Winter Haven, about a multi-day joint-agency undercover investigation, “Polk Around and Find Out” that focused on human trafficking, child predators, and illegal immigration.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office made 266 total arrests – 247 arrests were related to soliciting prostitutes, offering to commit prostitution, aiding/abetting or transporting prostitutes, and other charges; and 19 arrests were related to child sexual predators, which we highlighted yesterday.
Sheriff Judd will be joined by other agency heads, Sheriffs, and Police Chiefs.
The 127 suspects who travelled to commit prostitution were screened by detectives and the social services organizations to determine if they were being trafficked or exploited by others, and were offered services by the social services organizations at the operation.
During this investigation, seven possible human trafficking victims were identified.
There were 108 suspects arrested for soliciting a prostitute and traveling to the undercover location to negotiate having sex in exchange for money. Two of those suspects brought children to the undercover location and were appropriately charged with child neglect. Twelve (12) other suspects were arrested for aiding/abetting, transporting, or deriving proceeds from prostitutes.
Of the 247 human-trafficking arrests, 34 are in the country illegally, and 22 are collecting public assistance – $15,188 per month collectively.
If you’re looking for live entertainment in Winter Haven over the next several days, local venues are bringing a solid mix of acoustic sets, bands, karaoke, and high-energy performances. Here’s what’s happening:
Cypresswood Pub The stage at Cypresswood Pub will feature a variety of sounds throughout the week:
Thursday: Acoustic Roots; Luke Love from 6–9 p.m.
Friday: Almost There Band takes over from 6–9 p.m.
Saturday: Enjoy “Sensational Vibes” with Yolonda from 6–9 p.m.
Tanner’s Lakeside At Tanner’s Lakeside, the weekend lineup offers something for everyone:
Friday: Karaoke night—step up and sing your favorites
Saturday: Strictly Business performs from 7–10 p.m.
Sunday: Sgt. Shredder rocks the stage from 2–6 p.m.
Twisted Prop Bar & Grill Close out the weekend at Twisted Prop Bar & Grill with a live set from B. Haven on Sunday from 2–5:30 p.m.
With multiple venues offering live performances, it’s a great week to get out, support local artists, and enjoy the music scene around Winter Haven.
Want Your Music Featured? Musicians performing in the Winter Haven area who would like their shows included in a future roundup can submit their schedules to [email protected]. Be sure to include “LIVE MUSIC” in the subject line to be featured in an upcoming edition of the Winter Haven Daily music listings.
April 29, 2026 @ 11:40 PM Pinellas County Road Ranger Crash on I-275
The following is a report by FHP regarding a vehicle crash on I-275:
A Honda Accord, driven by a 32-year-old Lithia man, was traveling northbound on I-275 in the inside lane, north of 4th Street North. A marked Road Ranger Ford F600 truck, operated by a 52-year-old Plant City man, was stopped in traffic northbound on I-275 in the inside lane.
The remaining three northbound lanes of I-275 were closed due to active construction. Traffic cones were positioned to direct all northbound traffic into the inside lane; all cones were upright and clearly visible. Advanced warning signs and arrow boards were also in place to alert approaching motorists of the lane closure. Multiple law enforcement vehicles were positioned within the lane closure area with their emergency lights activated to provide additional warning to approaching traffic.
While the Road Ranger was stopped in traffic, the driver of the Honda Accord failed to slow or stop upon approach. As a result, the front of the Honda Accord collided with the rear of the Road Ranger truck.
The Road Ranger operator was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Honda Accord, Cedrick Travon Brown, was arrested for DUI, Refusal to Submit, Driving While License Suspended/Revoked, and an active felony warrant.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred this morning (Wed, April 29, 2026) around 5:55 a.m. in Winter Haven.
The crash involved a 2019 red Chevrolet pickup truck and a 2003 Honda motorcycle. The truck was traveling east on K-Ville Ave when the 33-year-old male driver began making a left-hand turn to go northbound on Taylor Road. At that time, the motorcycle, which was heading west on K-Ville, struck the truck nearly head on, causing fatal injuries to the 28-year-old male motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet. The driver of the truck stopped and fully cooperated with the investigation – he was not injured.
The westbound lanes of Taylor Road in that area were shut down for approximately 2.5 hours immediately following the crash. Neither speed nor impairment are suspected on the part of either driver. The investigation is ongoing.
Tyler King: High‑Functioning Mind, High‑Voltage Music
by James Coulter
Before he learned to talk, he was already singing. Music was his first language, and that early passion has carried him all the way to the front of a local band.
Tyler King, lead singer of Kai7en, was one of the many local musicians who performed at Rockin’ on the Chain, a recent Autism awareness fundraiser hosted at Tanner’s Lakeside in Winter Haven.
Proceeds from this year’s event will go toward the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Fund for Mental Health. While the funds raised for this year have yet to be announced, last year’s fundraiser raised over $90,000.
The annual fundraiser has a special place in Tyler’s heart, as he has high-functioning Autism. So, being able to perform at an event for Autism awareness as a person with Autism is nothing short of an honor.
“I have Autism, and I like performing there for a great cause,” he said. “It is a great event for people with Autism and special needs. And it is a good charity event to perform at.”
From an early age, Tyler was drawn to music. His late grandfather, a polka musician, was the first to spark that love. Even as a toddler, Tyler was humming and singing before he could form words.
“Before I learned to talk, I was actually singing,” he said. “I love to sing. I have always loved to sing all my entire life, and singing is my passion.”
Tyler participated in a musical group at Lake Region High School, where he learned to hone his vocal skills. He frequently participated in karaoke contests, one of which even inspired him to audition for local bands.
He has been a member of Kai7en for five to six years. He and his bandmates perform everything from rock and country to heavy metal. His favorite songs are those that invite audience participation, like “Sweet Caroline”, “Seven Nation Army”, or “Kryptonite.”
“Those songs can offer good crowd interaction, and I love performing with a crowd,” he said. “My favorite is a good gig with a great crowd because I love interacting with a good crowd.”
The City of Lake Alfred is inviting the community to a heartfelt celebration honoring moms and caretakers at its third annual “Muffins with Mom” event.
The gathering will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the scenic MacKay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve, located at 945 MacKay Blvd. Attendees can enjoy a sweet morning together featuring muffins and time to celebrate the important women in their lives.
Guests are encouraged to RSVP in advance, as space for the event is limited.
During a multi-day joint-agency undercover operation led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office named “Operation Child Protector VIII” focusing on those who prey upon and travel to meet children for unlawful sexual activity, 19 suspects were arrested for a multitude of felonies.
PCSO detectives were joined by detectives from the Auburndale Police Department, Davenport Police Department, Lake City Police Department, Orlando Police Department, Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco Sheriff’s Office, San Francisco (CA) Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division.
Sixteen of the suspects communicated with and solicited who they thought were children or guardians of children online, and were charged with traveling to meet a minor for sex. Three suspects sent nude photos to the undercover detectives, and five suspects were from outside Polk County. Seven of the suspects are married, and three are military veterans. Three of the suspects were charged with human trafficking, for offering to pay to have sex with a child.
In all, the suspects are collectively charged with 85 felonies and 8 misdemeanors.
“It never ceases to amaze us how many suspects travel to have sex with who they believe are children, especially here in Polk County where we proactively investigate and arrest those who prey on children. Speaking of believing, we even arrested Santa Claus during this undercover operation.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
SUSPECTS ARRESTED (in alphabetical order):
33-year-old Tyler Berrie, DOB 11/13/1992, of Lake Wales, FL. Berrie sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. He was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child and arranged to pick her up at a local park, offering to pay her 0 to perform sex acts on her. He left work early to meet her, and brought her candy bars.
Berrie was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Human trafficking (F1)
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
51-year-old Trenton Berry, DOB 8/8/1974, of Lakeland, FL. Berry sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He told the UC the sex acts he wanted to perform “before going to work” and within 21 minutes of initiating the online conversation, he drove to the undercover location. He told detectives he is married. He was arrested by the PCSO during Operation Traffic Stop in February 2023 for offering to commit prostitution.
Berry was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
Possession of methamphetamine (F3)
Possession of drug paraphernalia (M1)
33-year-old Noah Berumen, DOB 3/15/1993, of Orlando, FL. Berumen sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He told the UC the sex acts he wanted to perform and he drove to the undercover location after dropping off his fare – he is an Uber driver.
Berumen was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
Resisting arrest (M1)
39-year-old Gheorghe Bradley, DOB 1/5/1987, of Lakeland, FL. Bradley sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child and sent him nude photos. He told detectives he is married with a baby on the way.
Bradley was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Transmission of material harmful to a minor (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
21-year-old Alan Brown Jr., DOB 11/29/2004, of Lakeland, FL. Brown sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He was also identified as a suspect referenced in a NCMEC tip regarding possession of child pornography.
Brown was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
35-year-old Joshua Sanchez Bullard, DOB 1/7/1991, of Haines City, FL. Sanchez sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child and sent him a sexually explicit video. He told detectives he has been married to his husband for four years.
Sanchez Bullard was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Transmission of material harmful to a minor (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
24-year-old Hongkun Cheng, DOB 3/6/2003, of Tampa, FL. Cheng sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child and asked her to send nude photos, and photos of her feet and armpits. He told detectives he spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Cheng was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
38-year-old Clinton Dees, DOB 3/15/1988, of Winter Haven, FL. A NCMEC tip was sent to the PCSO regarding video and image files depicting child sexual abuse material where the ages of the victims ranged from six years old to ten years old in an account that detectives identified as belonging to Dees. They determined that Dees had been arrested on March 29, 2026, for DUI and is currently still in the Polk County Jail. They served a search warrant to collect the cell phone Dees had on him upon his arrest, and Dees was additionally charged with:
7 counts possession of child pornography (F3)
57-year-old David Esquivel, DOB 4/2/1969, of Haines City, FL. Esquivel sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child and said he would bring a condom (he did). He told detectives he has been married for 28 years and he and his wife have 4 children and one grandchild.
Esquivel was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
Resisting arrest (M1)
27-year-old Noah Geraci, DOB 4/4/1999, of Lakeland, FL. Geraci sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child and sent nude photos. He told detectives he is married.
Geraci was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Transmission of material harmful to a minor (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
34-year-old Derek Heard, DOB 6/25/1991, of Lakeland, FL. Heard sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child and said he would bring condoms.
Heard was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
68-year-old Thomas Hicks, DOB 9/4/1957, of Lakeland, FL. Hicks sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl’s guardian. He told the UC that he would pay $200 to have sex with the girl and was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child, but said that he would be gentle. He told detectives that he has been married over 50 years, but regularly goes onto known “prostitution sites” looking for prostitutes or companions. Hicks is in marketing for Tri-County Behavioral Health in Polk County, and plays Santa Claus every year at several different events.
Hicks was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Human trafficking (F1)
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
62-year-old Lonnie Hill Sr., DOB 7/20/1963, of Riviera Beach, FL. For five weeks, Hill sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He told the UC that he wanted to marry her, and he drove over 2.5 hours to pick her up. He brought condoms and male enhancement pills. He fought with deputies as they were taking him into custody, resulting in breaking one of the deputies’ legs.
Hill was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
Aggravated battery on LEO (F1)
Resisting arrest with violence (F3)
Resisting arrest without violence (M1)
62-year-old Robert Johnson, DOB 1/14/1964, of Walpole, MA. Johnson sent social media messages and nude photos from Massachusetts to an undercover detective in Polk County who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. He was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child. Detectives worked with the Walpole Police Department in serving an arrest warrant, and they took him into custody and booked him into their jail on the Polk warrant.
Johnson was charged with:
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Transmission of material harmful to a minor (F3)
18-year-old Saulo Jurado-Rodriguez, DOB 11/8/2007, of Winter Haven, FL. On Thursday, April 23, 2026, while on aerial patrol, a PCSO pilot observed two individuals standing near the wood line along Bomber Road, acting suspiciously. Patrol deputies responded and made contact with Jurado-Rodriguez, and a 15-year-old girl, who told deputies that Jurado-Rodriguez arranged via Instagram to meet her near the woods, then the two went into a vacant home in an area under construction. Inside the vacant home, Jurado-Rodriguez provided the victim with alcohol then had sex with her. They were returning to the wooded area when they were spotted by the helicopter pilot.
Jurado-Rodriguez was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child after misrepresenting age (F2)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F2)
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (M1)
Giving alcohol to a minor (M2)
36-year-old Ahmed Morsi, DOB 6/25/1989, of Spring Hill, FL. Morsi sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He told the UC that he was a dentist in Egypt, and was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child. He brought marinated raw chicken to the undercover location to cook for the child.
Morsi was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
27-year-old Josue Negron, DOB 2/17/1999, of Lakeland, FL. Negron sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl and was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child. He said he was “definitely convinced this is PCSO” but still traveled to the undercover location. He brought a box of condoms.
Negron was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
57-year-old George Thomas Jr., DOB 10/27/1968, of Lake Wales, FL. Thomas sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl’s guardian. He offered to pay $100 for a half an hour of sexual activity with the child. He told detectives he is married and an Air Force veteran. He brought a box of condoms to the undercover location.
Thomas was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Human trafficking (F1)
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
35-year-old Joshua Velez, DOB 6/8/1990, of Lakeland, FL. Velez sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He said he wanted to “rape” the boy but upon his arrest, told detectives that he meant he thought the boy “looked good.” He told detectives he receives $975 per month in public assistance.
Velez was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
Use of computer to seduce a child (F3)
Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
The next Polk County Sheriff’s Office Women’s Basic Self Defense* and Personal Safety* class is scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd from 10am – Noon.
Join our Crime Prevention Unit for a couple of hours to learn some basic moves and information that could help keep you safe in a bad situation.
The class is FREE of charge and designed for ladies 13 years and older. Those under 18 will need a parent present to sign a waiver at the start of class.
Each class is approximately one hour long unless more than 30 women attend. For every additional 10-15 females, 15 minutes are added to the time frame.
The class consists of lecture (approximately 15 minutes) and hands-on techniques (approximately 45 minutes). Attendees will demonstrate all of the techniques on a body opponent bag (B.O.B.) which we will supply.
NEXT CLASS: Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center 1891 Jim Keene Blvd, Winter Haven 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
If you wish to attend, please RSVP to [email protected], and please include your name and phone number.
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 BBN Home Buyers, LLC the fictitious name Jimbo Buys Houses. Located in Polk County, Florida that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers MEDEIROS SOUZA CORP.
From left: Brad Dantzler, Mayor of Haines CIty Morris West, Lloyd Stewart, Deputy City Manager and James Keene, Deputy City Manager breakground at the newest Habitat for Humanity home in Haines City.
By Anita Todd
HAINES CITY – A groundbreaking ceremony was held April 22 in Oakland in anticipation of the construction of Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County’s home #181. In about three months, a still-unknown family will move into the three-bedroom, two-bath home. The winner out of about 300 individuals and families who applied will be announced soon. Applicants must meet certain requirements: Must need safe, affordable housing; have a low-to-moderate income; willing to partner with Habitat; and be able and willing to pay an affordable mortgage. The project is sponsored by Publix Charities: 150k Full House Sponsor; Kenan Advantage Group: 25k Building Block Sponsor; and Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital: 5k Community Sponsor. The application period for the next home is May 11 – June 5. To apply, or for more information, visit www.habitateastpolk.org.
