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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.
Jan 22, 2019
PCSO Arrests Winter Haven Man for Sexually Battering a Child
Media Contact: Sherrie Morgan, PIO
42-year-old Max Hernandez of Winter Haven was arrested and charged on Friday, January 18, with the following:
• 3 counts sexual battery of a victim under 12 (FC)
• 1 count sexual battery victim over 12 (F1)
• 1 count display obscene material harmful to a minor (M1)
On January 18, 2019, detectives interviewed a child who told detectives she was sexually battered and molested by Max Hernandez between the ages of 4 and 13 years old. The sexual batteries occurred at two different locations in Polk County.
The victim said the incidents of sexual abuse occurred almost daily when she was in the range of 7 to 9 years old. She stated that Hernandez showed her a movie of two men "raping" a women and told her she should be careful because that could happen to her. She told deputies that he performed specific sex acts on her when she was in the second grade (7 years old) and through when she was in the fourth grade (9 years old). She also recalled and described sexual batteries and molestations from when she was five until she was 13.
During an interview with Sheriff’s detectives, Hernandez admitted that he sexually abused the child starting from the time she was 4 or 5 and through the age of about 12. He told deputies he did not recall all of the sexual activity between himself and the child, but he admitted to specific sexual batteries and molestations. He admitted to showing her a pornographic movie. He told deputies that he told her that the pornographic movie was for educational purposes to manipulate her into thinking it was okay.
“Hernandez is a predator, plain and simple. He groomed and lied to this child and repeatedly raped her. We will do everything we can to hold him accountable. This is an important reminder for parents to be involved with their children and watch for changes in their moods. Communication is the key to helping to protect your children.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Hernandez is being held at the Polk County Jail on no bond.
• 3 counts sexual battery of a victim under 12 (FC)
• 1 count sexual battery victim over 12 (F1)
• 1 count display obscene material harmful to a minor (M1)
On January 18, 2019, detectives interviewed a child who told detectives she was sexually battered and molested by Max Hernandez between the ages of 4 and 13 years old. The sexual batteries occurred at two different locations in Polk County.
The victim said the incidents of sexual abuse occurred almost daily when she was in the range of 7 to 9 years old. She stated that Hernandez showed her a movie of two men "raping" a women and told her she should be careful because that could happen to her. She told deputies that he performed specific sex acts on her when she was in the second grade (7 years old) and through when she was in the fourth grade (9 years old). She also recalled and described sexual batteries and molestations from when she was five until she was 13.
During an interview with Sheriff’s detectives, Hernandez admitted that he sexually abused the child starting from the time she was 4 or 5 and through the age of about 12. He told deputies he did not recall all of the sexual activity between himself and the child, but he admitted to specific sexual batteries and molestations. He admitted to showing her a pornographic movie. He told deputies that he told her that the pornographic movie was for educational purposes to manipulate her into thinking it was okay.
“Hernandez is a predator, plain and simple. He groomed and lied to this child and repeatedly raped her. We will do everything we can to hold him accountable. This is an important reminder for parents to be involved with their children and watch for changes in their moods. Communication is the key to helping to protect your children.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Hernandez is being held at the Polk County Jail on no bond.