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 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.

May 12, 2017

PCSO vice unit arrests three at county park for lewd behavior

Media Contact: Michele Cash, PIO

On Thursday, May 11, 2017, Polk County Sheriff's Office undercover detectives conducted an investigation at Gator Creek Reserve in unincorporated Polk County, in response to complaints about lewd activity. Three suspects were arrested and each were trespassed from all county parks.

51-year-old David Russ, of Lakeland, grabbed the detective against (the detective's will) at Gator Creek Reserve. Russ was arrested and charged with one count battery on a law enforcement officer. Russ was booked into the Polk County Jail and is being held on a $500 bond.

70-year-old Robert Edward Blow, of Lakeland, exposed himself to a male undercover PCSO detective at Gator Creek Reserve. Blow was arrested and charged with one count soliciting another for lewdness, and one count indecent exposure in public. Blow was booked into the Polk County Jail and was released on a $1,000 bond.

74-year-old John Barker, of Lakeland, exposed himself to a male undercover PCSO detective at Gator Creek Reserve. Barker was arrested and charged with one count indecent exposure in public. Barker was booked into the Polk County Jail and was released on a $500 bond.