4 offenders arrested for failure to comply during Halloween initiative

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November 1, 2017

4 offenders arrested for failure to comply during Halloween initiative

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and members of the Department of Corrections-Probation Office arrested 4 Polk County offenders/predators for failing to comply with sex offender laws on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.

This Halloween Initiative focuses on sexual offenders and predators who are supervised by the Department of Corrections and have stipulations in their probation, which prohibit them from engaging in Halloween activities such as having contact with children, distributing candy/treats, or having any Halloween decorations. Any violation of these conditions would establish an immediate violation of probation.

During the initiative, members confirmed the compliance of numerous offenders/predators. As contact was made with these offenders, searches of their residences, vehicles, and persons were conducted in an effort to locate any items of contraband.

“We actively check sexual offenders and predators in Polk County to ensure they are complying with the law. We conduct this initiative every Halloween to ensure the safety of our children while they are trick-or-treating.”

The following individuals were arrested and charged with failure to comply, and transported to the Polk County Jail.

Those arrested are:

23-year-old Rickardo Brown of 542 Perch Place in Lakeland. Brown was in possession of un-registered Internet Identifier (Facebook account). Brown’s un-registered cellular phone was located and it was searched by probation officers. Upon searching the phone, the Facebook account was located, in addition to adult commercial pornographic videos. Brown confessed to possessing the un-registered phone, the un-registered Facebook account, and the pornographic material. Brown was arrested and charged with two counts of failure to comply with sexual offender registration laws and violation of conditional release supervision. Brown has been to Florida State prison twice, has 9 previous felony, and 4 misdemeanor charges to include the following: aggravated battery, kidnapping, knowingly DWLSR, property damage, burglary, robbery, tampering with evidence, selling marijuana within 1000 ft. of specified area, grand theft of a vehicle, and trespassing on school grounds.

66-year-old Roger Branam of 10304 Rachel Cherie Drive in Polk City. Branam was not residing at his registered permanent residence and had failed to register his current permanent or temporary residence. Branam confessed to residing at an un-registered temporary residence, and arrested for one count of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws. Branam has been to Florida State Prison 5 times, has 20 previous felony, and 14 misdemeanor charges to include the following: disorderly conduct, VOP, failure to appear, misuse of 911, battery, knowingly DWLSR, possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, failure to register as a sex offender, grand theft, resist arrest, kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon, grand larceny, throwing deadly missile into occupied structure, burglary, armed robbery, possession of firearm as a felon, DUI, vagrancy, and possession of marijuana.

33-year-old Nateal Brifil of 3530 Xerxes Avenue NW in Winter Haven. Brifil failed to register his Internet Identifiers (Facebook and Instagram). Brifil confessed to not registering the Internet Identifiers. Brifil was arrested for two counts of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws. Brifil has been to Florida State Prison once, has 13 previous felony, and 22 misdemeanor charges to include the following: failure to comply with sex offender laws, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, selling within 1000ft. of church, possession structure to sell drugs, failure to appear, indecent exposure, property damage, burglary, resisting arrest, trespassing, corrupt by threat public servant, battery, petit theft, misuse 911, disorderly conduct, battery on detention member, VOP, trespassing on school grounds, obstruction w/out violence, destruction of peace, and lewd molestation.

34-year-old Christopher Carter of 1070 Highway 92 West Lot #8 in Auburndale. Christopher Carter is currently on active probation with the Florida Department of Corrections for lewd/lascivious molestation on a child 12 – 18 Years Old. Carter failed to register his Facebook account. He confessed to not registering the Internet Identifiers. Carter was arrested for one count of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws and Violation of Probation. Carter has been incarcerated in the Florida State Prison, has 8 previous felony, and 2 misdemeanor charges to include the following: lewd/lasc conduct, contribute to delinquency of a minor, molest a victim less than 12 years old, sexual assault, petit theft, receiving stolen property, and theft.

Winter Haven Police Community Chat

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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November 1, 2017

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Winter Haven Police Community Chat

Winter Haven Police Chief Charlie Bird and his Command Staff invite the community to attend the upcoming Police Community Chat on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 at 6 p.m. The Chat will be held at the Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center, located at 801 Ave. T NE in Winter Haven.

The Chat will have no agenda – instead allowing the community to bring their ideas, questions and concerns to the Command Staff of the Department. Additionally, the Department’s newest multi-year Strategic Plan will be highlighted for community members to see.

For more information, call 863-295-5905.

Polk County School Board Delays Decision on Teacher Pay Increases

Polk County News

Staff Reporter

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October 31, 2017

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Polk County School Board Delays Decision on Teacher Pay Increases

Polk County School Board members voted to delay a decision on teacher pay increases during a public hearing Monday night.

Members of the Polk County School Board met to resolve an impasse in the collective bargaining negotiations with its teachers union, the Polk Education Association. PEA represents about 6,700 teachers, 1,700 paraeducators and 550 educational support personnel.

After five hours of discussion and public comment, Polk County School Board members voted to table their decision on pay increases for PEA-represented personnel for two weeks. During that time, District staff and PEA representatives are to continue negotiating toward a proposal that provides pay increases while also protecting a minimum fund balance of 4 percent.

The Board also voted on four other issues of the impasse. Those included matters related to health insurance, contract language regarding supplemental payments for teachers who hold advanced degrees, the inclusion of teacher evaluation system manual in the collective bargaining agreement, and teacher transfers. The Board’s decisions resolve those portions of the impasse and cannot be appealed.

The Board will reconvene on Nov. 14.

Lakeland Man Charged With Robbery After Beating and Kicking a 15-Year-Old Boy

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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October 31, 2017

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Lakeland Man Charged With Robbery After Beating and Kicking a 15-Year-Old Boy

PCSO Release:

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigated an incident in northwest Lakeland Monday afternoon, in which a 25-year old man beat up a 15-year old boy over the death of a dog.

According to the arrest affidavit, on 10/30/17 at about 3:58 p.m. at 3815 Knights Station Road, Lakeland, a 15-year old boy was walking to a convenience store, and noticed a dog had apparently been hit and killed by a passing vehicle in front of the home. The resident, 25-year old Antwan Houston, came out and blamed the boy for the death of his dog, and demanded the boy compensate him. Houston grabbed the boy’s headphones, which were around his neck, and the boy pulled away. Houston then began hitting the boy, knocking him to the ground, and continued hitting and kicking him.

Houston’s roommate pulled the man away from the victim, and the child ran away and called law enforcement.

The victim, who suffered several abrasions, said that if it wasn’t for the roommate, he believes Houston would have killed him.

Houston told the detective that he blamed the boy for his dog’s death, because he was wearing a hoodie and walking by his yard while the dog was not tethered. There was a lot traffic in this area, and there was no evidence that the boy had anything to do with the dog’s death.

Houston was charged with robbery without a firearm/weapon (F-2). His criminal history includes five felony and five misdemeanor charges, including carrying a concealed weapon, drug possession, DWLSR, and violation of probation.

Deputies arrest Kissimmee man for DUI Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide

Davenport

Staff Reporter

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October 31, 2017

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Deputies arrest Kissimmee man for DUI Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Release:

On Monday, October 30, 2017, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 22-year-old Luigi Grieco of Kissimmee for 1 count DUI Manslaughter (F-2) and one count Vehicular Homicide (F-2). Grieco was the driver in a single car crash on May 2, 2017, in Davenport which resulted in the death of his passenger, 26-year-old Vanessa Miller of Kissimmee. PCSO Traffic Homicide deputies investigated the crash and it revealed that Grieco was driving under the influence of alcohol during the time of the crash.

According to the affidavit and based on evidence collected, on May 2, 2017, around 11:10 p.m., a gray 2015 Toyota Corolla driven by Grieco was traveling at a high rate of speed and passed a vehicle on the left shoulder of the off-ramp before heading southbound on U.S. Hwy 27. Once Grieco was on U.S. Hwy 27 traveling southbound, the vehicle traveled in the right lane approaching another vehicle from behind. Grieco abruptly changed lanes left to the center lane in an attempt to pass.

Traffic was congested in the center lane and Grieco made another abrupt turn towards the right and lost control of the Toyota sliding approximately 185 ft. on the edge of the roadway. He overcorrected the steering to the left, slid approximately 160 ft., and began to overturn in the grassy shoulder numerous times for approximately 152 ft. until it reached its final resting point.

While the vehicle was flipping, the front seat passenger (Vanessa Miller) was not wearing her seatbelt and was ejected out of the passenger side window. The vehicle landed on Miller, crushing her between the ground and the roof of the vehicle, and she was pronounced deceased on scene. Grieco was taken by air to LRHMC and was treated for minor abrasions and bruised lungs (consistent with wearing a seatbelt).

The investigation revealed that Grieco was driving at 100.7 mph, 5 seconds prior to the crash. Blood samples obtained from Grieco were sent to an FDLE laboratory. Results from the FDLE revealed an ethanol B.A.C of .192.

“Here’s another example of how dangerous it is to drink and drive. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs kills people. Grieco made a huge mistake that cost the life of Ms. Miller. Please, don’t drink and drive. Call for a ride.” – Sheriff Grady Judd

Haines City Tennis to Serve for Those Who Serve

Haines City

Staff Reporter

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October 30, 2017

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Haines City Tennis to Serve for Those Who Serve

HAINES CITY, FL – The City of Haines City partnered with ThanksUSA to host its inaugural Tennis Thanks the Troops Benefit Tournament Saturday, November 4, 2017, at the Lake Eva tennis courts.
Founded in Washington, D.C. in 2005, ThanksUSA exists to carry out the mission of providing educational, need-based scholarships for the children and spouses of military personnel.
The City of Haines City extends the invitation for all to attend and support the worthy cause by giving the gift of education to military families. Presented by title sponsor Henery Ruffin with Walking State Insurance, the tennis tournament is a unique way to “serve for those who serve,” according to ThanksUSA.

A Junior-aged segment of the tournament is Friday, November 3, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a $10.00 entry fee. The Adult-aged segments are Saturday, November 4, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. for men’s and women’s doubles and 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. for mixed doubles, with a modest $40.00 per team entry fee.

The collected fees will go toward the funds for scholarship awards provided by ThanksUSA. The goal of the fundraising event is to raise at least $3,100.00 to fully fund one scholarship award for ThanksUSA.
Haines City Interim Parks and Recreation Director Jeffery Jones said, “Our department is excited to work with ThanksUSA while highlighting the talents of tennis players and supporting the scholarship fund of children and spouses of military members.” “We appreciate the backing of each sponsor to help make this effort a great success,” said Jones.

To make a contribution and/or register for the tournament, contact Haines City Parks & Recreation department at 863 421-3700 by Wednesday, November 1.

Lake Wales Museum Monsters’ Ball

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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October 30, 2017

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Lake Wales Museum Monsters’ Ball

by James Coulter

Sickly-looking zombies with pale faces and rotting flesh reach out as screaming people try and flee from their grasps.

No, this wasn’t an episode of “The Walking Dead”, but it was close enough and more family-friendly.

The Lake Wales Museum hosted its first ever Museum Monsters’ Ball and Infected Zombie Freight Room Maze on Friday evening.

Hundreds of young guests and their families arrived in costume and were able to engage in Halloween arts and crafts by painting pumpkins, making cotton swab skeletons, and filling in coloring book pictures.

Meanwhile, guests young or old who were brave enough could venture into the museum’s 1938 Freight Room and navigate the infected zombie maze.

Even though the maze has been created to offer an authentic haunted house experience, the museum made sure to keep the scares to a PG-13 rating as to make it enjoyable for all ages.

“It is not too scary so everyone is invited to come through,” said Monica Drake Pierce, Lake Wales Museum Director. “We are being conscientious of the fact that we don’t want to scare some of our younger patrons.”

To get to the haunted maze, guests first had to wait in line and weave through the museum, providing them the opportunity to browse its exhibits and learn more about their local hometown.

This was the first ever Halloween event hosted by the Lake Wales Depot Museum with support and funding provided by the local Kiwanis club.

While expectations were high that evening, the overall turnout more than exceeded expectations, as people who would otherwise not visit the museum otherwise were given the opportunity to so do, explained museum assistant Bart DelCamp, who was dressed as a pirate that evening.

“We are really pleased with how everything has been going thus far…just seeing how many kids and families are coming to the museum.” he said.

“They always knew that this museum was here, but for whatever reason, they are not always coming to it, but this is a great away to bring more attention and more people to see the museum,” he continued. “This has been a success already and we can’t wait to do this again next year.”

For Kristina Nichols, a volunteer and library worker who was dressed as a witch, being able to see so many children and family enjoy the evening was the best thing about the event.

“Being able to see the children’s happiness makes it all worthwhile,” she said. “I think it is great, [and] I think it is a fantastic turnout.”

The Lake Wales Museum had been placed under new management, with Pierce as its new director, ever since the museum’s former director was forced to step down nearly two years ago.

Since then, the museum has undergone massive renovations with new exhibits and services such as a virtual walking tour provided via a downloadable mobile app.

Aside from these new renovations, the museum has also been hosting family-friendly events such as this in order to draw in more of the local community.

“I am excited to see people’s reactions to the haunted maze and also just to see everyone having fun,” Pierce said, dressed as a fairy princess. “It is a fun holiday, and we are very happy to welcome everyone to the museum.”

Man Killed After Hitting Telephone Pole

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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October 29, 2017

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Lakeland Police Department Press Release

LAKELAND, FL (October 29, 2017) – On October 28, 2017 at approximately 10:20 p.m., the Lakeland Police Department responded to the 1500 block of East Memorial Boulevard in reference to an accident. A 1999 Chevrolet Express van was eastbound on US 92 East, locally known as East Memorial Boulevard, in the outside lane of travel. While the vehicle was in motion, the vehicle left its lane of travel and impacted the raised curb located on the south side of the roadway. The vehicle continued to travel onto the raised curb, partially in the road and on the raised grass shoulder. As the vehicle continued eastbound, it began to rotate. The vehicle impacted a wooden power pole which was located between the roadway and the sidewalk. Upon impacting the pole, the vehicle spun around, separating from the pole, and coming to final rest. During the impact, the pole became of-set and broke in two (2) pieces. The upper section of the pole completely separated from the base. While on scene, the driver of the vehicle was declared deceased at 10:34 p.m.

The driver has been identified as Reginald Stanley Morgan, 55 years old, 3458 Fairfax Park Place, Lakeland, Florida. The next-of-kin has been notified.

The Department of Transportation was notified of the roadway being shut down due to the power pole having to be replaced. Lakeland Electric was on scene coordinating the power restoration for that area. The roadway has been shut down for approximately 6 hours.

This case has been assigned to Traffic Homicide Investigator Ofc. Tyler Anderson for follow-up.

19 Year Female Pedestrian Struck & Killed On Hwy 27

Davenport

Staff Reporter

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October 28, 2017

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19 Year Female Pedestrian Struck & Killed On Hwy 27

Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release

Last night (Friday, October 27) PCSO ECC received a call around 11:42 p.m. regarding a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on US Hwy 27 near Sand Mine Rd, Davenport. The pedestrian, 19-year-old Shania Jordan of Paulette Dr in Haines City, was declared deceased on-scene.

Investigation revealed Jordan was at Applebee’s in the Berry Town Center with Miguel Albarran when they became involved in an argument in the parking lot as they were leaving. Jordan left on foot instead of getting into Albarran’s car. Albarran drove to the area of Berry Blvd and US 27 where Jordan was walking, pulled up alongside her, and asked her to get into the car, at which time Jordan moved into the center lane, where she was struck by a green 1999 Ford Winstar van being driven by 71-year-old Linda T. McClellan of Davenport. Linda and her passenger, her daughter 51-year-old Linda F. McClellan, were not injured, and stopped to render aid. Both stated neither saw Jordan until she was in their lane and it was impossible to avoid striking her.

The southbound lanes of 27 in that area were closed for approximately 4 hours during this investigation. The investigation is ongoing, but no criminal charges are anticipated.

Lake Wales Man Killed By Hit & Run Driver

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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October 28, 2017

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Lake Wales Man Killed By Hit & Run Driver

Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release

The PCSO Traffic Unit is investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred this morning during the early morning hours, and is seeking the public’s help.

Just after midnight this morning, Saturday, October 28, 2017, 56-year-old Leonard Wimberly Jr. of South Jennings Rd in Haines City was riding his three-wheeled bicycle westbound along Masterpiece Rd, just east of Longhorn Drive in Lake Wales, when he was struck by a truck also traveling westbound.

Wimberly was transported to Lake Wales Regional Medical Center, where he was declared deceased.

Pieces of a side mirror were left at the scene, indicating that the suspect vehicle is a 1998-2009 Dodge 2500 or 3500 pickup truck. The mirror left behind is a tow mirror. The suspect truck appeared to have continued heading west on Masterpiece Road, towards Scenic Hwy.

We are seeking any witnesses to this crash. Please urge the public to call PCSO at 863-298-6200.

Anyone with information who wants to REMAIN ANONYMOUS and be eligible for a CASH REWARD is asked to call HEARTLAND CRIME STOPPERS AT 1-800-226-TIPS or log onto www.P3tips.com to submit your tip via the web. For a secure and password protected mobile app for your smart device, go to the app store and download the free “P3tips” mobile app. No caller ID, no recorded lines, no tracking cookies, no saved IP addresses. Anonymity is Guaranteed!!

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