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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.
Jun 2, 2025
Illegal immigrant from Haiti arrested after he refused to clean up oil spill in Eagle Lake
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
A Haitian man in the United States illegally was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, May 30, 2025, after he refused to clean up an oil spill in Eagle Lake.
44-year old Alex Outten was charged with Failing to Obtain Permit (3-counts). Each charge is a 3rd degree misdemeanor, but due to Outten’s illegal resident status, the charges are enhanced to 3rd degree felonies.
Outten is a Haitian citizen who came to the United States under a work visa which has expired. He has remained in the United States illegally, residing in Eagle Lake.
On May 28th, Eagle Lake Code Enforcement discovered the used oil spill at Outten’s residence at 890 Timberland Drive, which Outten said was due to a leaking container.
The oil streamed approximately 150-feet along the street to storm drains that eventually drain into Lake McLeod. Outten agreed at that time to clean up the oil.
On May 29th, a PCSO Environmental Crimes detective was contacted by Code Enforcement after they determined that Outten had not cleaned up the oil.
“This all happened in a nice, new community. The suspect failed to contain used motor oil, which streamed down the street, into the storm drains, and would eventually make its way into the lake about 1,000-feet away. He was given an opportunity to rectify the problem, but failed to do so.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Due to Alex Outten’s illegal residential status in the country, Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) was notified.