The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a single
vehicle motorcycle crash which occurred on Sunday, June 6th, at
about 3:18 PM, on US 27 (about ¾ mile south of Lakeside Garden Circle near Lake
Wales. The two people on the bike were critically injured and air-lifted to
Osceola Regional Medical Center.
The motorcycle, a teal 2020 Harley Davidson trike, was being
driven by 59-year-old Joseph Schwab. His passenger was 61-year-old Debra Lewis.
Records show that both are from the Sebring area.
The preliminary investigation, consisting of evidence and
witness statements, indicates that the trike was northbound in the outside lane
of US 27, when for an unknown reason, it exited the east side of the roadway.
The trike then struck a culvert at an unpaved driveway, which forced the
ejection of both riders.
Mr. Schwab and Ms. Lewis were both wearing helmets.
At this point in the investigation, it does not appear that
speed, distraction, or impairment were factors in the crash, but the
investigation is ongoing.
Both directions of US 27 were closed for the landing of a
medical helicopter, but the outside lane of northbound US 27 remained closed
for about three hours.
Lake Mirror Goes to Dogs at 2021 SPCA Florida Walk For Animals
by James Coulter
Vely Pontoni loves her two dogs, Wilson (toy Aussie) and Astrid Border Collie). She received Astrid from an animal rescue, and Wilson from a pet store. Wilson was supposed to be sold at the store, but he could not be sold because he fractured his leg. Upon learning about Wilson’s predicament, Vely received him from a friend who worked at the store.
Since then, she and her two two-year-old dogs have been inseparable. Last Saturday, she not only attended the annual SPCA Florida Walk For Animals in Lakeland, but they won first place for overall fundraiser.
Vely and her dogs managed to raise $1,300 by walking the Frances Langford Promenade around Lake Mirror in Downtown Lakeland. With the help of a few other teams, she was even able to raise a combined $1,500.
“It feels really great,” she said. “I love supporting the animals. We have a heart for animals. We both do, me and my husband. We are active people, might as well walk and enjoy the animals.”
Vely won first place for raising the most funds as an individual participant. Winning first place for fundraising team was Team CAP Trust, headed by Deanna Keating. They raised more than $2,200.
Keating and her organization are clients with SPCA Florida. They consider it a great organization with an even greater cause of adopting out rescue pets from Polk County’s no-kill shelter.
Deanna owed their success that day to the overall beautiful weather, as well to the other attendees who participated that day.
“It feels amazing, awesome, a true team effort,” she said. “It is a beautiful day. It is a lot of fun, we are glad to be here, happy to help them.”
SPCA Florida hosted its 29th Annual Walk For Animals last Saturday in Downtown Lakeland. Dog owners and their furry companions will be able to walk around scenic Lake Mirror Promenade in Downtown Lakeland to help raise money and awareness for the organization.
Aside from the main walk, the event also hosted other activities including food trucks, children’s games, and even a costume contest. Krystal Wilds won the contest with Sassy, her Old English Bulldog, who was dressed as a Minion from Despicable Me.
Wilds loves being able to participate every year at the walk, though she was unable to attend last year due to the pandemic. She loves being able to see the other dogs and their owners there.
“We came two years ago since COVID happened,” she said. “We could not come last year. We wanted to come again. I thought it would be fun…It feels great. Sassy is happy about it. We love seeing the other dogs.”
Randa Richter, Media & Partnership Relations Manager for SPCA Florida, was impressed by the turnout this year. The fundraiser is normally hosted in spring, but was postponed until June due to COVID-19. Despite the ongoing pandemic and the summer heat, this year’s event did exceptionally well with its turnout.
“We are super happy with participants and everyone who attended,” Richter said. “I feel it is the support of the people who want to help the animals and help us grow and help the community grow…I love seeing the community coming together to support the voiceless. I just want to thank our vendors and sponsors for making this happen.”
On Friday, June 4,
2021, PCSO Computer Crimes detectives placed 47-year-old Duane Andrew Franz under
arrest, charging him with 45 counts possession of child pornography, a second
degree felony, after a tip from his former employer Duke Energy led them to the
investigation.
Franz was employed as
a maintenance planner at the Fort Meade plant until he was laid off in June
2019. A Duke Energy employee recently found a iConnect flash drive in a desk
drawer, and when the employee plugged in the drive, he saw pornographic images
of what looked like children between the ages of six and eight years old. Duke
representatives immediately called the Sheriff’s Office. During a forensic
examination of the device, detectives identified 20 images depicting child
pornography, and four homemade videos that were obviously recorded without the
victims’ knowledge. The two victims in those videos appeared to be between the
ages of 8 and 14 years old, and the videos were taken from a hidden spot in a
child’s bedroom, depicting the victims in various stages of undress. Franz was
positively identified as the owner of the flash drive, and the two victims in
the homemade videos were identified as children to whom he had access.
During the
investigation, detectives learned Franz worked as a planner at Coca-Cola prior
to Duke Energy. A laptop and flash drive that were issued by that company to
Franz also were found to contain images of child pornography.
Detectives served a
search warrant at Franz’s home on June 4, 2021, and interviewed Franz and his
wife. Franz admitted to looking at child pornography but denied storing any
child pornography on his previous employers’ devices and/or laptops. He told
detectives that he has a “sex addiction” and has received counseling for it. He
said that he had a “lapse in judgement” when he secretly recorded the victims.
Franz’s wife told detectives that Franz has a “pornography addiction” for which
he was seeking treatment.
During the search
warrant at their home, detectives seized 20 flash drives, an Apple iPhone, a
mini digital camera, an external hard drive, and a laptop computer. All of
these devices will be forensically examined; if any additional child
pornography is located, more charges will be filed. So far Franz is being
charged with 45 counts from the images and videos located on the devices from
Duke and Coca-Cola.
The two victims were
screened to determine if they are victims of any other crimes.
“This suspect
betrayed the trust of nearly everyone in his life to fuel his addiction to
child pornography. He even created his own child pornography by exploiting two
children he had access to – and we will ensure those victims get the help they
need to repair the damage he did. As we continue our investigation, we will
file any additional and appropriate charges against Duane Franz, who should
never again have access to children.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Franz is still in the Polk County Jail, being
held on $225,000 ($5,000 per charge).
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating three
deaths in unincorporated Poinciana that occurred during the early morning hours
of Sunday, June 6, 2021.
Preliminary information is as follows:
Around 4:30 a.m. that morning, the PCSO Emergency Communications
Center received multiple 911 calls about a shooting on Divot Lane. When first
responders arrived on-scene, they located 34-year-old Jesus Nunez deceased on
the front walkway from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Two other deceased adults were located inside the home:
36-year-old Yunieki Luis (male) and 38-year-old Stephanie Ruiz (female). There
were seven children and another adult who fled the scene when the shooting
began.
According to the evidence and eyewitnesses, Nunez and
Ruiz have been dating for approximately 14 years and have four children in
common. On Saturday, June 5th, family members and friends came to their house
on Divot Lane. Nunez drank alcohol and used cocaine most of the day, becoming
increasingly angrier until the late evening hours. According to family and
friends, Nunez’s anger and behavior usually escalated when he was drinking and
using cocaine. They also told detectives that he has been suspicious and
paranoid about his relationship with Ruiz, and has been very controlling.
Around 4:30 a.m. that morning, one of the witnesses was
awakened by the sound of gunfire. She ran out of a bedroom and observed Nunez
screaming at Luis and shooting him in the living room. She ran back into the
bedroom, called 911, gathered her three children, and fled.
After shooting Luis, Nunez broke down the door into the
bedroom where Ruiz was, and fatally shot her. According to the evidence, he
then went outside and shot himself in the head.
Autopsies will be conducted to determine exact causes of
death, but at this time, this appears to be two homicides committed by Jesus
Nunez, who then shot and killed himself.
“When you combine excessive amounts of alcohol,
illegal drugs, and an explosive jealous temper, murder can occur. In addition
there are seven children and other family members whose lives will never be the
same. None of this should have ever happened. Please keep these families in
your prayers.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
On Friday, June 4, 2021 at approximately 9:34 PM, Lake Wales Police Department responded to 426 Domaris Avenue regarding a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers learned an armed robbery had just occurred at 414 Domaris Avenue. Officers found the victim, a 36 year old Lake Wales resident, at 422 Domaris Avenue with multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect(s) are possibly two black males who fled the scene on foot before law enforcement arrival. These suspects are still at large and remain unidentified at this time. We are requesting help from the community in solving this crime.
The victim is in critical condition after being transported to the hospital. We encourage anyone with information regarding this shooting or the suspect(s) identification to call Detective Klingler at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
Despite Raining Cats and Dogs, Bark in the Park Huge Success
by James Coulter
Despite it raining cats and dogs, Downtown Winter Haven went to the dogs Friday evening during the Annual Bark in the Park.
Hosted by Main Street Winter Haven, the annual outdoor pet event allowed local dog owners and their furry four-footed friends and opportunity to spend quality time in Downtown Winter Haven. Several dozen vendors were set up in Central Park, showcasing wares and services from local pet-centric businesses and organizations from Love Doggo Treats to SPCA Florida.
Pet owners could allow their dogs to run around and play within a designated dog play area. They could also participate in various activities, from watching a K9 unit demonstration from local law enforcement to even a pet yoga demonstration by Inside Out Yoga.
Normally, the event hosts its annual wiener dog race; however, due to inclement weather, this year’s race was canceled. The afternoon received a heavy downpour of rain. Nevertheless, this year’s turnout, especially in light of last year’s pandemic, proved exceptional, explained Brenda McDaniel, Executive Director of Main Street Winter Haven.
At least 700 people attended this year’s event, she said. With the total number of visitors and their pets, along with the number of participating vendors, this year’s event proved to have the highest turnout yet.
“We had the most highly attended Bark in the Park we ever had,” McDaniel said. “We can tell people enjoy coming out to events like this, so we can keep having them.”
Aside from enjoying the day with their pets, attendees could also adopt a pet of their own from the Humane Society. They appeared at the event with their adoptable pet trailer to adopt out some of their shelter pets from their no-kill shelter.
Of the eight dogs they brought out that day, four to five were adopted out by the end of the event. They also promoted their upcoming fundraiser event, Pawtastic Splash Bash, to be hosted on June 13.
Even though the rain put a hamper on the overall event, their adoptions proved exceptional, explained Beth Koon Spiwak, Humane Society President. “The turnout was phenomenal,” she said. As to why the event was so great: “It’s bark in the park. It’s exactly what we do to help our dogs find forever homes. It is a loving event.”
Burns Benefit Brings Local Together To Support Local Musician’s Wife
by James Coulter
Joey Foley has been living and performing in Polk County for nearly 40 years. He has performed alongside his good friend and fellow musician, Don Burns. So when he learned that Don’s wife was diagnosed with cancer, he helped organize a musical fundraiser to support her and her family during their time of need.
Last Saturday, several dozen local bands performed live music at Burns Benefit, hosted at Tanner’s Lakeside in Winter Haven to help raise proceeds for a local cancer patient. Barbecue dinner platters were sold for $10, and raffles were offered for prizes donated by local businesses and organizations.
Proceeds from the benefit went towards the medical expenses and other immediate needs of Diane, wife of local musician, Don Burns. Diane was recently diagnosed with cancer. Overall, the turnout proved to be phenomenal, and showed how much the local community was willing to support someone in their time of need, Foley said.
“We are happy with the way things have turned out,” he said. “It has been busy since the moment we have got started, and the crowd is only growing, and we are only halfway through the event today. So it is turning out to be very successful and exceeding what we figured would happen.”
Foley helped organize the event with Melanie Culpepper Brown, a local salon owner and philanthropist who assists with many fundraisers. Brown has always been a “mover and shaker” in the community, so she was the prime choice to help organize the event.
“We all come together when someone is in need,” he said. “I am just proud to be here. I am blessed to be here. It is not always about taking, it is about giving. We have all been through things in life, and we all had help, and it is good to go back into the community and help others.”
Burns Benefit was hosted at Tanner’s Lakeside, which has hosted many fundraisers organized by Melanie Brown Culpepper, including her upcoming “Fishing For A Heart” tournament on June 12. She had been a longtime friend of Foley, who has helped her with many events. So it was only fitting that she helped him and his friend.
“Joey has always had me, and I have had him, we help each other in this town, because that is what it is about: it is helping and supporting each other,” she said. “I don’t even know [Diane], and I am here today. I am here to support them because they were there to support me and that is what it is all about.”
Judy and Jim Taylor also assisted with the event that day. Both are good friends of Brown and Foley. Both had assisted with a similar fundraiser for their grandson, Xander, who passed away three years ago from cancer. Their event, which was also hosted by Melanie, was hosted several days after he passed out of loving memory for him.
Even in the light of her grandson’s passing, Judy was proud to know that the community stood by her in her time of need, so she was more than willing to help another member in the community going through similar tough times.
“Polk County really comes together in a crisis,” she said. “Polk County is just awesome. That is why we are #1 in the nation. People are moving here because they hear about us. They hear about what the community does to help other people in their community. I just love Polk County.”
Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Lake Wales city commissioner Kristen Fitzgerald on Thursday, June 3, 2021, and charged her with one count interference with child custody (F-3) and one count aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (F-3), after removing an 11-year-old child from his home without permission, and threatening him with a firearm. She remains in the Polk County Jail on no bond.
We have included the entire redacted arrest affidavit below.
“We don’t expect this kind of behavior from anyone, but especially someone in public office. She should be held to a higher standard and should be setting the proper example – instead, she displayed what not to do as a human being. Her conduct, threatening a child with a gun, is horrendous.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Check this out – how bold. The female in this video visited Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd.) on June 1, 2021 around 4 p.m. She goes around and selects a lot… A LOT of merchandise. Fills that buggy up! To the tune of $1578.55. She then finds her way through the Tire Center and to an area where employees go outside for breaks. She swiftly walks past the trucks and through the parking lot. Evidently she got spooked because just before she gets to the car, she ditches the buggy. Hey, that doesn’t give you a pass! The intent was there to take the merchandise. She was seen entering a red Cadillac and leaving the property. If you recognize her, please call Det. Al-Shaair at 863-837-9779. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
On Wednesday, June 2, 2021, PCSO detectives arrested 22-year-old Pierce Drahorad of Gibson Oaks Drive in Lakeland, and charged him with:
Attempted first degree murder (FL)
3 counts aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (F3)
Aggravated assault on a person over 65 years of age (F2)
Discharging a firearm from a vehicle (F2)
Improper use or display of a firearm (F2)
Tampering with evidence (F3)
Reckless driving (M2)
The investigation began during the late evening hours of June 1, 2021, when PCSO received a 911 call from a female victim who reported that a man driving an orange Dodge Challenger had just shot one of her family members in the face, and was following her as she fled the scene with an elderly family member, a teen, and a child in her car. The victim reported that the driver of the orange car pointed a handgun with a laser at her while also trying to run her off the road. Deputies met the victim at a safe location, and sent out a BOLO (be on the lookout) description of the suspect vehicle. The victim who was shot was treated at the original scene of the shooting with a non-life-threatening wound to his face – the injury appeared as if he had been grazed by the projectile.
Shortly after arriving in the area, deputies spotted an orange Dodge Challenger that matched the vehicle description, and conducted a traffic stop. They identified the driver and sole occupant as Drahorad. Drahorad admitted to owning a Glock 26 with a laser site, but denied shooting anyone with it or chasing after the other victims. He told deputies he gave the gun to a friend of his that evening – deputies responded to the friend’s residence, and retrieved the firearm. Drahorad was positively identified by all of the victims. His vehicle was towed and the car and firearm are being processed at this time. Drahorad told deputies that he pointed the laser from the gun at the male victim while the victim was standing in his own driveway because he believed the victim stole Drahorad’s dog. He denied pointing the firearm, or shooting it.
“This was an extremely dangerous situation that very well could have resulted in several deaths. Clearly this suspect has anger issues, and should not have access to firearms. We’re glad the victims were able to get away from him and that our deputies were able to apprehend him so swiftly.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Drahorad remains in the Polk County Jail on no bond for the attempted murder and aggravated assault charges.
