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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 Alicia Manautou. 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 3, 2023
Federal Corrections Officer arrested for battery
Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO
On January 2, 2023, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 33-year-old Eric
Medina of Mascotte, Florida for Battery (M1). Medina is employed as a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman (Sumter County).
According to the affidavit, Medina was at a party with friends in Davenport and was asked to leave at around 2:00 a.m. when he became heavily intoxicated and began arguing with the attendees. The argument turned physical when Medina grabbed a female victim “by the left arm against her will, leaving scratch marks.”
The victim told deputies that “everyone was drinking and having a good time when the suspect started acting weird.” She tried to calm Medina down, and that is when he grabbed her arm.
“It is never alright to physically hurt someone, and as an officer at a federal correctional facility, Mr. Medina knew better. Now he has experienced the other side of jail lock-up.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Medina was arrested and was transported to the Polk County Jail where he was released after paying a $500 bond.
Inquiries regarding Medina’s employment status should be directed to FCC Coleman.