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.

Jan 20, 2025

Man involved in Winter Haven crash arrested by PCSO on numerous Pinellas County warrants

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

A Winter Haven man was involved in a crash on Friday, January 17, 2025, and ended up in the Polk County Jail after it was discovered he had eight arrest warrants out of Pinellas County.

At around 3:00 pm Friday, a two-vehicle crash occurred south of Winter Haven at Spirit Lake Road and Sheffield Road.

One of the drivers involved in the crash was 38-year old Joshua Poe.

During a routine check of Poe's information, it was discovered he was wanted on eight warrants out of Pinellas County for Possession of Cocaine, Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Sale of Methamphetamine, Possession of Fentanyl, Sale of Fentanyl, and another Possession of Methamphetamine & Sale of Methamphetamine.

Poe was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail, and he's expected to be transferred to Pinellas County in the near future.