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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.
Nov 18, 2019
Lakeland man arrested for felony battery on little league umpire
Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO
On Friday evening, November 15, 2019, PCSO deputies responded to the Highland City Ball Park (3930 Ball Park Rd, Lakeland) and arrested 22-year-old Alberto Escartin Ramos of 2850 New Tampa Hwy #111, Lakeland for one count felony battery of a sports official (FSS 784.081(2)(c) (F-3) after he punched the head little league umpire in the face.
Ramos bonded out of jail after posting $1,000 bond.
According to the affidavit, Ramos disagreed with a call an umpire made, so after the game he went to the clubhouse to complain to the victim, who is the head umpire. Ramos began screaming at the victim, and the victim asked Ramos to leave the ballpark. Ramos responded by screaming he would "kick his ass," and then punched the victim in the face, cutting the victim's lip and breaking one of his teeth. The victim was treated by PCFR at the scene.
"This is completely inexcusable - assaulting a little league official while he's officiating at a game where children are supposed to be having fun, and learning sportsmanlike behavior. Not only was he arrested, he's also been trespassed from the ballpark." - Grady Judd, Sheriff