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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 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.
Feb 16, 2024
Eight convenience stores checked for alcohol sales compliance; one failed
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office visited eight convenience stores on Thursday, February 15, 2024, checking to make sure they check identifications and refuse sales of alcoholic beverages to people under 21 years of age. The checks were part of the PCSO's ongoing Operation Pop Top campaign.
One of the stores failed the check, Lucky Mart at 3562 Cypress Gardens Road in Winter Haven.
The sales clerk sold an alcoholic beverage to a 17-year old PCSO Cadet who was assisting the deputies in their visits.
43-year old Jubal Nerove was the clerk who sold the beverage and he was subsequently arrested and charged with Selling an Alcoholic Beverage to a Person Under 21, a misdemeanor.
"Sales clerks and stores have a responsibility to refuse alcohol sales to people under 21, and law enforcement has the responsibility to ensure that is being done. Deputies do checks like this several times a week, so if you're a sales clerk, it would behoove you to take your responsibility seriously." - Grady Judd, Sheriff.
In addition to the alcohol sales checks, deputies and the Cadet also visited one smoke shop and ensured they were in compliance with Florida Kratom sales.