51-year-old Fernando Gonzalez of Lakeland was charged with battery domestic violence for pushing his girlfriend during an argument, during which she was trying to leave their shared residence. Gonzalez is employed as a Federal Air Marshal.
At approximately 1:15 pm on Sunday, September 24, deputies responded to a residence in Lakeland. The victim reported she was pushed against her will against a door in the home by Gonzalez. Deputies observed a small cut mark on the victim’s left wrist that had minor bleeding.
Fernando Gonzalez denied touching the victim during the argument. Deputies observed in the affidavit that the victim’s description of what happened was consistent throughout the investigation and that Gonzalez’ was not consistent, changing his description of the event several times.
“We expect better from a law enforcement officer. We have notified the Air Marshal’s office of this arrest.” Grady Judd, Sheriff
Gonzalez was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail.
Haines City, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a serious injury altercation that occurred Saturday In Haines City. According to Scott Wilder, Director of Communications for the PCSO, the altercation happened shortly after 4pm near J & S Foods (convenience store) on the corner of Hinson Ave. & 30th St. in Haines City.
“Looking for the known suspect “ advised Wilder. At this time the PCSO isn’t releasing any names and the incident is still under investigation.
This is a developing story and we will update as soon as more information is released.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a body found in Lake Ned in unincorporated Winter Haven. The initial call came in 11:49am. The Polk County Fire Rescue brought boats to the lake and the PCSO helicopter flew over for a substantial period of time.
Scott Wilder, Director of Communications for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, has confirmed that they did recover an adult body from the lake. At this time the scene is under investigation. At this time it appears the victim drowned, however this a developing story.
Osceola County Sheriff Detectives arrested Joel Quiles-Rodriguez, D.O.B. 08/02/1996, on Thursday, September 21, 2023, for possessing child pornographic material.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) of an incident regarding child sexual abuse photographs and videos. Detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit began an investigation into the incident and, on September 18, 2023, served a search warrant regarding this incident at 2201 Simpson Ridge Circle, APT C, Kissimmee, Florida.During a forensic review of the evidence obtained on the scene, Detectives located multiple videos and photos of young children being sexually abused.
Based on evidence obtained during this investigation, Mr. Quiles-Rodriguez was charged with 20 counts of Possession of Photo/Video of Sexual Performance by a Child. Mr. Quiles-Rodriguez was arrested and booked into the Osceola County Jail with a $50,000.00 bond.
On September 22, 2023, detectives were continuing to follow up on this investigation and were able to locate the stolen necklace. The necklace was found in the area of the Sunshine Flea market, 24200 HWY 27. The suspect, Shaneka Webb, was able to dispose of it in that area before she was taken into custody.
————
Lake Wales Police Press Release
On September 20, 2023 at approximately 3:19pm officers from the Lake Wales Police Department were dispatched to Kay Jewelers, 483 Eagle Ridge Dr., in reference to a reported robbery that had just occurred. Officers were told the suspect entered Kay’s Jewelers and asked to see a 10k gold, 24”, necklace valued at $6,000.00. When the employee handed the suspect the necklace to try it on the suspect immediately fled with the necklace. While responding to the call, some officers responded directly to Kay’s Jewelers while others circulated the area. A suspect and vehicle description were given out over the radio. Officers located the suspect and suspect vehicle in the parking lot of the Gate gas station, located at 2950 Ridge Way, just north of the Eagle Ridge Mall.
Officers attempted to stop the suspect in the parking lot but she jumped in her vehicle and took off. The suspect fled out of the parking lot, across HWY 27, into area of the Sunshine Flea Market, located at 24200 HWY 27, where she was blocked in. At this point, officers were able to take her into custody without further incident. The suspect was identified as Shaneka S. Webb, a 37 year old Tampa resident. Webb was no longer in possession of the stolen necklace when detectives placed their silver “bracelets” on her. Webb would not say what she did with the necklace. She was positively identified by those who witnessed the theft.
Webb was booked into the Polk County Jail on the charges of Grand Theft, Fleeing to Elude, and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (Habitual Traffic Offender). Webb has an extensive criminal history which includes previous grand thefts, violent crimes, drug charges, and fraud. If you have any information regarding this crime or a similar crime, please contact Lake Wales Police Department Detective David Arana at (863) 678-4223 extension 2007.
If you would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers, you can call 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or from your cell phone, dial **TIPS. You can also visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit a Tip”, or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet to provide information.
When Nan Langston took her first tour of the new Children’s Resiliency Campus for Peace River Center in Lakeland, she teared up. After serving at the non-profit since 1988, being able to see all its programs and services provided under one roof at the new facility was a dream come true.
“I was given a tour of the building the first time I came here,” she explained. “By the time I got to the third floor, I was weeping. I am just thrilled that all the children’s services are in one place because we were all over with programs in Sebring and Bartow and Lakeland. But now we are all in one place and that was my dream.”
Nan Langston is the retired Children’s Services Director at Peace River Center, a local non-profit organization whose mission, according to their website, is “to engage, restore, and empower individuals in our community to reach their fullest potential.”
Throughout her career, she wanted to see her organization’s programs provided in one place under one roof. That dream has since become a reality, and she hopes it only continues to grow from there.
“That we will enlarge and grow because we are in one place now,” she said. “The more employees we can hire, the more children we can serve.”
On Thursday afternoon, Peace River Center celebrated the grand opening of its Children’s Resiliency Campus in Lakeland. The grand opening ceremony was hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, which not only included a ribbon cutting, but also the installation of a plaque dedicated to Nan Langston in a therapeutic garden outside the facility.
Peace River Center has been a community partner and provider since 1948. According to its website, the organization was created in “response to the community’s concern for the emotional and psychological well-being of children.” Over the past 75 years, it has expanded to 20 programs in 25 locations. Before its Children’s Resiliency Center, its newest facility was the Lakeland Crisis Campus opened in January 2018.
Candace Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, had previously worked under Nan Langston. She remembers how Nan often wished for the Peace River Center to have a facility where all its programs and services could be provided in one place. So, when the organization discussed plans for such a continuum of services, she remembered how such a vision was Nan’s lifelong dream.
“She not only spent so much of her time and energy making sure we have excellent services for children and families, but also so much time pouring into the next generation of professionals,” Barnes said of Langston. “Two years ago, we were adding three to four programs at a time. It dawned on us we could relocate all programs under one umbrella. This was her dream that finally came to fruition.”
Larry Waters, Peace River Center CEO, commended his organization for opening the new facility. The organization had served the community for 75 years and counting, and the new location would help them better expand their services to the community in one convenient location.
“Now that we have everything under one roof, we have a continuum of care for our children and our adolescents,” he said. “This building was a long time coming. It was a dream of Peace River Center for a long time.”
The Peace River Center’s Children’s Resiliency Campus is located at 1664 Williamsburg Square, Lakeland, FL. For more info, call 863-500-3780, or visit their website at: https://www.peacerivercenter.org/
Among Polk County Parks & Recreation’s most sought-after amenities, our screened in pavilions are a top choice for various rentals such as parties, social gatherings, and meetings. Each pavilion comes equipped with picnic style tables and restroom access. You can conveniently reserve any of our screened in pavilions online, provided you book at least two weeks in advance.
Click on the link to check availability: https://bit.ly/PCPRPAV Cost: $25 per hour (minimum 4-hour rental)
Screened in Pavilion are located at: 📍 Aldine Combee Park, Lakeland 📍 Christina Park, Lakeland 📍 Hunt Fountain Park, Lakeland 📍 Loyce E. Harpe Park, Mulberry 📍 Northeast Regional Park, Davenport 📍 Polk City Park, Polk City 📍 Lake Gwyn Park, Wahneta/Winter Haven 📍 Poinciana Community Park, Poinciana
46-year-old former Deputy Sheriff Michael Brian Richards was arrested today, September 21, 2023 for DUI (driving under the influence) with serious bodily injury (1 count, F3) and DUI (1 count, M2). Richards resigned his employment at the time of his arrest. Had he not resigned, he would have been terminated.
The arrest is related to a July 27, 2023 single motorcycle crash that occurred on US 92 near the Winter Haven airport at approximately 11:45 p.m.—the motorcycle was travelling east bound. No other vehicles were involved. Richards was off duty at the time and was the rider/operator of the motorcycle, a personally owned 2017 Harley Davidson, and he had a 41 year old female passenger riding with him.
Based on roadway evidence, Richards left the roadway onto the south shoulder of the road which caused him to lose control of the motorcycle. Upon leaving the roadway, the motorcycle slid out of control along the grass shoulder and onto the roadway. Both occupants were ejected. Evidence at the scene indicated the motorcycle was being driven between 65 and 80 mph in a 55-mph zone.
Both Richards and the female passenger were not wearing helmets, received serious injuries as a result of the crash, and were transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Richards is currently taking physical therapy and has not worked since the crash. The 41-year-old female passenger is still hospitalized and remains seriously injured, including a brain injury.
Deputies obtained a search warrant to collect the blood drawn from Richards at the hospital. Test results from those samples indicate Richards had a blood alcohol level of 0.14 BAC at the time. The legal limit in Florida is .08 BAC.
“I tell every single deputy here when they are hired that if they drink and drive they will go to jail, and they will lose their job. That’s what happened here. Our sympathies and prayers are with the female victim of this avoidable crash and with her family. I am so disgusted by Richards’ actions—of all people, he should have known better than to drink and drive and put people’s lives at risk. We will work with the State Attorney’s office to ensure that he is held accountable.” –Grady Judd, Sheriff
Richards started with the agency as a deputy sheriff trainee in April 2011 and became a deputy sheriff in August 2011. His most recent assignment was as a general crimes detective.
On September 20, 2023 at approximately 3:19pm officers from the Lake Wales Police Department were dispatched to Kay Jewelers, 483 Eagle Ridge Dr., in reference to a reported robbery that had just occurred. Officers were told the suspect entered Kay’s Jewelers and asked to see a 10k gold, 24”, necklace valued at $6,000.00. When the employee handed the suspect the necklace to try it on the suspect immediately fled with the necklace. While responding to the call, some officers responded directly to Kay’s Jewelers while others circulated the area. A suspect and vehicle description were given out over the radio. Officers located the suspect and suspect vehicle in the parking lot of the Gate gas station, located at 2950 Ridge Way, just north of the Eagle Ridge Mall.
Officers attempted to stop the suspect in the parking lot but she jumped in her vehicle and took off. The suspect fled out of the parking lot, across HWY 27, into area of the Sunshine Flea Market, located at 24200 HWY 27, where she was blocked in. At this point, officers were able to take her into custody without further incident. The suspect was identified as Shaneka S. Webb, a 37 year old Tampa resident. Webb was no longer in possession of the stolen necklace when detectives placed their silver “bracelets” on her. Webb would not say what she did with the necklace. She was positively identified by those who witnessed the theft.
Webb was booked into the Polk County Jail on the charges of Grand Theft, Fleeing to Elude, and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (Habitual Traffic Offender). Webb has an extensive criminal history which includes previous grand thefts, violent crimes, drug charges, and fraud. If you have any information regarding this crime or a similar crime, please contact Lake Wales Police Department Detective David Arana at (863) 678-4223 extension 2007.
If you would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers, you can call 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or from your cell phone, dial **TIPS. You can also visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit a Tip”, or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet to provide information.
Friday, September 22, let it be ‘gnome’ that we’re hosting an afternoon of painting and light refreshments at Wabash Community Center for seniors 55+! Visitors will get to create their own exquisitely gnome-themed canvas painting while enjoying bonus giveaways and prizes.
Participation is free, but pre-registration is required to attend. To register, please call the Wabash Community Center at (863) 284 – 4223.
Visit our event page for notifications about this year’s event: https://fb.me/e/1o1YYLINs
Wabash Community Center 1230 Southern Ave. Lakeland, FL 33815
