Frostproof, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently Investigating a double death investigation in Frostproof. According to Alicia Manautou, public information officer with PCSO, very little regarding the incident is available for release. Due to Marsys Law they are not able to release much information at this time.
We know that the Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigation units were in the area of Monk Rd., North West of Clinch Lake, for several hours Saturday. At this time their appears to be no danger the public and the investigation is ongoing.
We will update this article as more information is released.
Lakeland, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a convicted sex offender and charged him with multiple crimes. Deputies arrested Joseph Kern with DUI, Fleeing To Elude, multiple counts of Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon, multiple counts of Leaving The Scene Of A Crash and more.
Below is a redacted large excerpt of the arrest affidavit.
“On 06/11/2021, I responded to Heritage Concrete LLC. located at 2412 Main Street East, Lakeland, Florida 33801 in reference to assisting Polk County Sheriff’s Office Southwest Deputies with a felony investigation.
Upon arrival, I made contact with the victim, VICTIM 1, outside of the business. A recorded interview was conducted, which provided the following account.
VICTIM 1 advised he was inside of the business office of the Heritage Concrete LLC., when he heard a subject yelling outside of the business. VICTIM 1 advised he walked outside of the business and observed a subject he knows as “Crazy Joe,” later identified as the suspect, Joseph Kern, sitting inside of a red 2002 Chevrolet Silverado bearing Alabama tag# 34CH884 and pulling a trailer bearing Florida tag #QILR82. VICTIM 1 advised he observed Joseph screaming in his vehicle unknown phrases which did not make any sense. VICTIM 1 walked to the driver’s side of the vehicle with the intent to check on Joseph. While walking towards the driver’s door, Joseph simultaneously exited the driver’s seat holding a golf club in his right hand and a firearm in his left hand. VICTIM 1 stated he turned away from Joseph due to him raising the club. Joseph then began to strike VICTIM 1 3-4 times on the back with the golf club. VICTIM 1 looked back to Joseph why he was striking him, at which time, VICTIM 1 observed Joseph pointing the firearm directly at him. VICTIM 1 advised Joseph was yelling, but could not understand what he was saying. VICTIM 1 was able to stand up and run towards the back of the business property to contact law enforcement. While contacting law enforcement, VICTIM 1 advised Joseph reentered the vehicle and fled the area eastbound on Main Street East towards Combee Road South.
VICTIM 1 advised the act of striking him with the golf club was done intentionally and against his will. VICTIM 1 advised the act of Joseph pointing the firearm at him was done intentionally and placed him in fear of great bodily harm or death.
VICTIM 1 sustained bruising to his left and right shoulders and an abrasion to the left center of his back. VICTIM 1 refused medical treatment. I obtained photographs of his injuries.
While being dispatched to the area of this incident, D/S Owusu #6126 observed Joseph’s vehicle parked at the gas pumps of the Marathon Gas Station located at 107 Combee Road South. D/S Owusu parked his agency issued marked patrol vehicle in front of Joseph’s vehicle and activated his emergency red and blue lights. D/S Owusu ordered Joseph to exit the vehicle and walk towards him. Joseph originally complied by exiting the vehicle and started walking towards D/S Owusu. Joseph then began stating he did not do anything wrong, and ran back towards his vehicle. Joseph reentered his vehicle and fled from D/S Owusu heading southbound on Combee Road South. D/S Owusu advised he followed for a brief period of time in the parking lot of the Marathon, but did not pursue Joseph onto Combee Road South.
During this incident, D/S Owusu was wearing his agency-issued green Class-B uniform with silver sheriff star and insignias. D/S Owusu was clearly identifiable as a Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputy during the daylight.
I made contact with a victim, VICTIM 2, at the 5/3 Bank located at 435 Combee Road South. A recorded interview was conducted, which provided the following account.
VICTIM 2 advised she was traveling South on Combee Road South in her 2007 green Volkswagen Passat bearing Florida tag #REDACTED. VICTIM 2 stated after traveling through the intersection with Main Street East, she observed a red truck traveling next to her vehicle on the shoulder. VICTIM 2 advised when she looked at the truck, she observed a white male, identified as Joseph Kern, driving the truck and staring back at her. VICTIM 2 advised the male driver then intentionally rammed into her vehicle to enter the roadway southbound on Combee Road South. VICTIM 2 advised after being rammed, the suspect truck continued South on Combee Road South.
VICTIM 2 advised the act of being rammed was done intentionally and against her will. VICTIM 2 stated she did not sustain any injuries as a result of this incident.
I made contact with a victim, VICTIM 3, at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Southwest Substation. A recorded interview was conducted, which provided the following account.
VICTIM 3 advised he began driving his 2019 red Ford F350 bearing Florida tag #REDACTED South on Combee Road South after entering the roadway from a business on Combee Road South. VICTIM 3 advised he observed the red truck traveling South, but stated there was enough time for him to enter the roadway. VICTIM 3 advised he observed the red truck quickly approach his vehicle from behind. The red truck then began passing VICTIM 3‘s vehicle on the shoulder of Combee Road South. The red truck then intentionally rammed into VICTIM 3 ‘s vehicle, striking the passenger doors and the front passenger side tire. The red truck then fled South on Combee Road South.
VICTIM 3 advised the act of being rammed was done intentionally and against her will. VICTIM 3 advised he did not sustain any injuries as a result of this incident.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a victim, VICTIM 4, who resides at REDACTED in reference to an occupied burglary involved Joseph Kern. I responded to RECACTED and made contact with VICTIM 4. A recorded interview was conducted, which provided the following account.
VICTIM 4 advised he was asleep in his bedroom, when a known suspect, Joseph Kern, entered his room in a reckless manner. VICTIM 4 advised he knows Joseph from multiple encounters and has instructed Joseph to not return to his residence. VICTIM 4 stated a physical altercation occurred when he ordered Joseph to leave and continued to stay inside of the residence. VICTIM 4 struck Joseph in the face with a closed fist on the face. Joseph entered a dazed state as a result of being struck in the face. VICTIM 4 grabbed Joseph and escorted him out of the residence through the front door. VICTIM 4 stated Joseph never struck him. After escorting Joseph out of the residence, VICTIM 4 observed a screen covering to an exterior window was removed which was not previously removed. VICTIM 4 advised this was the entry location for Joseph because all other doors and windows were secured.
VICTIM 4 advised he did not give permission for Joseph to remove his screen from the and did not give Joseph permission to enter his residence.
D/S Covey #7741 located Joseph on Idaho Avenue near the intersection of Main Street East after being escorted out of VICTIM 4 ‘ residence. Joseph was placed into custody. During a search of Joseph’s person, a teal Ruger LCP bearing serial #372121764 was located in his front left pocket. A magazine with one .380 round was also located in the front left pocket outside of the firearm.
While fleeing from law enforcement, Joseph struck multiple vehicles, eventually coming to rest at 125 Eastside Drive South. D/S Jaimes #8879 secured the vehicle and learned the attached trailer bearing Florida tag #QILR82 belonged to Cable Wiring Specialist Inc., located at 8331 Epicenter Boulevard, Lakeland, Florida 33809. D/S King #9018 responded to the business and learned the trailer was stolen from the open property of the business (see PCSO case number 2021-24376).
I made contact with Polk County Sheriff’s Office CIC operator Rembert #8462 who confirmed Joseph has previous guilty convictions for robbery with a weapon from 08/19/2003, petit theft from 06/13/2006, and battery from 02/11/2021. Joseph is also a registered sex offender.
As a result of my investigation, I determined Joseph Kern committed the following offenses:
–Joseph committed 3 counts of the offense of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon when he knowingly and intentionally struck VICTIM 1 3-4 times with a golf club, intentionally rammed VICTIM 2 ‘s vehicle to evade law enforcement, and intentionally rammed Robert’s vehicle to evade law enforcement.
–Joseph committed the offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon when he knowingly and intentionally pointed the teal Ruger LCP at VICTIM 1 causing VICTIM 1 to be in fear of great bodily harm or death.
–Joseph committed the offense of improper exhibition of a firearm when he knowingly and intentionally exited his vehicle holding the firearm and waving the firearm around.
–Joseph committed the offense of fleeing to elude law enforcement when he knowingly and intentionally fled from D/S Owusu in his vehicle while D/S Owusu had his emergency red and blue lights activated on his agency-issued marked patrol vehicle. I issued criminal citation #
–Joseph committed the offense of resisting without violence when he knowingly and intentionally disobeyed D/S Owusu’s commands to walk towards him by running back towards his vehicle.
–Joseph committed the offense of armed burglary of a dwelling when he knowingly entered VICTIM 4 ‘ residence without permission while in possession of a firearm.
–Joseph committed the offense of petit theft 2nd offense when he knowingly and intentionally removed VICTIM 4 ‘ exterior window screen, which temporarily deprived VICTIM 4 of the window screen.
–Joseph committed the offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for being in possession of the teal Ruger LCP while being a convicted felon.
–Joseph committed the offense of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon for being in possession of the one .380 round while being a convicted felon.
–Joseph committed the offense of being in possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony offense when he committed the above listed offenses while being in possession of the teal Ruger LCP.
–Joseph committed the offense of grand theft of a motor vehicle under $100,000 for being in possession of the stolen vehicle trailer bearing Florida tag #QILR82.“
Kern was arrested and transported to Polk County Jail. He is still incarcerated as of this article.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is investigating a multi-vehicle crash that occurred around 2:15 a.m. this morning, June 20, 2021, on Ellis Avenue just east of Park Street in Unincorporated Lakeland which resulted in the death of 22-year-old Teresa Hammond of Lakeland. Hammond was the passenger of a 2003 gray Ford Focus.
According to the preliminary information, the Ford Focus, with its lights turned off, was parked in the north side lane of Ellis Avenue and was facing east. 23-year-old Marquist Westbrooks of Tampa was sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle; Hammond was sitting in the front passenger seat.
54-year-old Lisa Breeding of Lakeland was driving a 2001 gray Buick Century. Breeding was traveling westbound on Ellis Avenue at a high rate of speed when her Buick Century hit the front passenger side of the Ford Focus. The impact caused the Ford Focus to spin counter-clockwise in a northwestward direction and hit an unoccupied 2016 black Ford Dart which was parked in a driveway. Hammond was partially ejected from the vehicle.
As Breeding’s car continued to travel in a southwestward direction, it hit an unoccupied 2009 gray Chevrolet Malibu which was parked in a neighboring driveway. The impact caused the Malibu to hit an unoccupied and parked 2007 white Nissan Murano, also in a neighboring driveway.
Hammond died at the scene. Westbrooks sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. He is in stable condition. Neither were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
Breeding sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. She was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The roadway was closed approximately 4 hours during the investigation. This investigation is ongoing.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 49-year-old Tracey Bentley who is wanted for attempted murder.
Last night, June 19th, shortly after 10:00 p.m., Bentley shot a woman in Polk City. He is still at-large.
Bentley was last seen early this morning in the Demille Road area of Polk City and was wearing a grey tank top, blue jeans, and possibly a green or grey ball cap. Bentley is possibly armed and dangerous. Please do not confront or engage with him. If you see him or know of his whereabouts, please immediately call 911.
Or, if you would like to stay anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers:
Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.
Officer Christopher Jackson has been terminated following an internal investigation.
Interim City Manager Jim Elensky and Interim Police Chief Loyd Stewart, as promised, are happy to turn over the results of the investigation.
Officer Jackson, 46, was involved in a crash on U.S. 17/92 while responding to a call before 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 19. While responding to the call, Jackson was not wearing a seatbelt and was traveling at speeds as high as 107 miles per hour.
Following an investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson was cited for not wearing a seatbelt and traveling too fast for conditions. He was placed on administrative leave on March 24 and he was terminated on June 4.
Jackson had been with the Haines City Police Department since 2015. He was paid an annual salary of $44,618.
Update: The Polk County Sheriff’s Department has opened a death Investigation after the occupant of the car has died. According to reports deputies were called to the scene of a crash involving a gunshot wound on Old Dixie Hwy and Taylor Rd. Friday. No further details are being released at this time.
Auburndale, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently Investigating a vehicle crash on Old Dixie Hwy and Taylor Rd. According to the public information spokesperson with the PCSO the occupant of the vehicle appears to be suffering from a gunshot wound. How or when the occupant was shot is not available at this time. The accident occurred at 10:57am and deputies were called to the scene minutes later.
The roadway is shut down in all directions. This is an ongoing situation.
We need your help to solve a crime. While you were sleeping Sunday night (6-13-21) and into the wee hours of Monday morning (6-14-21) several vehicles were burglarized in the Garden Grove and Lake Ned areas of Winter Haven.
PCSO is working the Lake Ned area crimes, because they occurred in our jurisdiction. In this area, several unlocked vehicles were hit and at least two firearms were stolen.
WHPD is working the Garden Grove area, because that area is in their jurisdiction.
Here is video of two suspects. As you can see, they go into the neighborhood and flip door handles, looking for unlocked doors. When they find an unsecured vehicle, they ransack the vehicle and steal anything they can get their hands on. These burglars appear to be tall, thin, black males wearing all black clothing, with some sort of writing or logo on their pant legs.
PLEASE do not leave anything of value in your vehicles overnight – especially firearms – and please lock your doors. There’s a reason we say “Lock It or Lose It.”
If you recognize any or all of the suspects involved, or you have any knowledge about the crime, please call us at 863-298-6200.
Or, if you would like to stay anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers:
Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet. You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.
Buy some soup and take a fishing reel.
Someone will recognize this guy – especially the tattoos.
Using the self-checkout at Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd.), he purchased items adding up to $6.15, but bagged up a $77 fishing reel without paying.
Anyone who recognizes him is asked to call Det. Hebson at 863-291-5620.
Fishing For a Heart Reels in The Big One for a Big Cause
by James Coulter
Hunter Boykin loves to fish. So, when he saw promotions on Facebook for the Fishing For A Heart tournament last Saturday, he knew he had to rev up his boat and take to the lake.
He took that chance and reeled in a whopping 7.9-pound catch. His catch landed him the winning title of Biggest Bass at the tournament.
Boykin owes his success to his rat-l trap. He loved achieving the rank of Biggest Bass. But he especially loved being able to go out on the water for a good time and an equally good cause.
“It feels great,” he said about his win. “This is a great cause. We just came out here to have a great time, and [we] had a great time.”
While Boykin won the biggest catch, first place overall went to the team of Trever Stephen and Andrew Ready. Both reeled in an overall catch of 26.68 pounds. Both owed their success to their jig baits.
The two had been fishing for several years. They learned about the tournament last week through advertisements on Facebook. They considered it a good cause, so they decided to give it a try.
“It feels fantastic,” Stevens said. “I enjoy the good time and good vibes and fishing with a lot of friends.”
The Fishing For A Heart tournament was hosted last Saturday on Lake Shipp in Winter Haven. The event kicked off earlier that morning at Lake Shipp Park and concluded at Tanner’s Lakeside with the weigh-in and after party.
Prizes were conferred to the winners who won first, second, and third place, and for biggest bass. Other activities that day included live musical performances, bounce houses, raffles, and barbecue dinners.
The event was hosted to support the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation, a local non-profit organization that raises money to assist local first responders and other rescue workers. Proceeds from this fundraiser went towards the installation of defibrillators throughout the Winter Haven area.
The Culpepper Cardiac Foundation was started in memory of Michael Culpepper, a local security guard who was the fiancée of Melanie Brown Culpepper. Last year, he suffered from cardiac arrest, and despite the best efforts of first responders, he passed away.
Since then, Melanie started the foundation and hosted several fundraising events in his honor. This was the first fishing tournament hosted for the foundation, and the fourth overall that she had hosted as a local fundraiser. She has hosted many fundraising events in the past for local causes.
This event drew in 37 boaters. Melanie was overall impressed by the turnout, especially for a hot summer day.
“In the beginning, it was slow, but all of the anglers have come in and exceeded [our expectations],” she said. “For my very first tournament for myself and the foundation, I think it turned out very well. Everybody coming together in the community to support this.”
Melanie woke up as early as 3:30 in the morning to help coordinate the event. Even well into the afternoon she continued to maintain her energy and the momentum of the overall fundraiser and its festivities.
“Me and my girl has been up every night at 2am,” she said. “We are all on three hours of sleep. So, all of my team of girls who come together, and even when I get antsy and worried…the turnout is what I love the most.”
Cheryl Brewer, director and chaplain of the Lakeland Junior Hawg Hunters, helped coordinate the tournament. As someone who has participated in countless fishing tournaments, she was especially impressed by the turnout for this event.
“I think it exceeded our expectations, we had more boats than we thought we would,” she said. “Glad to see our community coming out in support. I loved being able to come out and raise money for the cardiac foundation and the area out there. Love the bass fishing. Love the outdoors. Love to see the anglers on the water.”
Winners
1st Place: Andre Ready & Trevor Stephen: 26.68 lbs.
2nd Place: Michael Cabaong: 26.67 lbs.
3rd Place: Eric Conant & Michael Foster: 22.03 lbs.
Haines City Celebrating Third Annual Juneteenth This Weekend
by James Coulter
The Fourth of July is less than a month away. The holiday marks the occasion when the Declaration of Independence was signed and America became a country. It is a time when we reflect upon the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens.
Nearly 87 years after the signing of the Declaration, another important document, the Emancipation Proclamation, was signed, officially freeing African American slaves and declaring them to be American citizens.
As such, the date of June 19 is celebrated as Juneteenth, commemorating the occasion when the country founded upon “liberty and justice for all” truly lived up to its name by recognizing black and white Americans as equal citizens with equal rights.
This Saturday, the City of Haines City will be hosting its third annual Juneteenth Celebration, an all-day celebration that will kick off with a parade and continue with a concert, food trucks, children’s games, and other festivities.
The celebration will start the day before on Friday with the First Annual Juneteenth Black Tie Gala at the Lake Eva Center, located at 799 Johns Avenue, from 6 pm to 9 pm. The evening’s event will include a dinner, live musical entertainment, and a guest speaker.
Saturday’s event will kick off with the parade at 11 a.m. The parade route will start at Trinity Worship Center (2795 N 10th St.), with the parade heading south on 10th St., a left turn on Ave. N., right turn on MLK Way, and right turn on Ave. A.
Shortly following the parade, the festivities will continue with the “Juneteenth Soul Concert”, to be hosted at 1 p.m. on Myers & Wiley Field (915 Avenue E.) Performing that day will be “Solivita” from Kissimmee, FL (5 p.m.), CeCe Teneal & the Soul Komotion Band from Orlando, FL (6 p.m.) and Omar Cunningham from Jackson, MS.
The remaining Juneteenth festivities that day will include various youth activities, cultural arts, culture dance presentations, food and more, all on a fun-filled, family event.
Terrel Griffin, Haines City Parks and Recreation Director, expects city residents to not only enjoy a day of fun and games, but also to be enlightened about the celebration’s significance, especially to the local African-American community.
“Juneteenth means a lot to me personally,” he said. “Simply because, without the Emancipation Proclamation, I would not be able to express many of the freedoms that I am afforded due to the freeing of slaves. I feel this is momentous occasion in American history that should be celebrated by all.”
To ensure public health and safety, temperatures will be taken upon entry into the venues and hand sanitizing stations will be available. Overall, expectations remain high, especially with the current pandemic winding down and vaccination rates increasing.
“[I look forward to] seeing the community come together as one to celebrate and commemorate the end of slavery in the United States,” Griffin said. “As a City, we pride ourselves on the following: Haines City Forward – One City, One Vision. This will be on display throughout the Juneteenth celebrations on both Friday and Saturday.”
For more information regarding the event, please call (863) 421-9963, or visit the City of Haines City Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hainescity
