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News and Investigations

News & Investigations

News Releases and Public Information

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.

PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org

The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.

Alphonso Payne, Jr.
May 18, 2020

Winter Haven man shot and...

33-year-old Alphonsa Payne, Jr. of Winter Haven gunned down.

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Jonathan Simouth
May 14, 2020

PCSO arrests 14 at gambli...

Fourteen suspects were arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at a...

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Justin Mosser mugshot
May 14, 2020

Avon Park man arrested by...

Avon Park man arrested by PCSO for exposing himself to women while driving

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Suspects Pilgram and Montgomery
May 13, 2020

Couple charged with grand...

On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, Polk County Sheriff's detectives arrested 50-year-old Margaret Pilgram* an...

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Picture of all involved
May 1, 2020

PCSO charges three in dea...

The Polk County Sheriff's Office charged two women and a man for their part in the death of a 55-yea...

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