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.

Sep 8, 2017

Deputies arrest Pinellas County National Guardsman for DUI

Media Contact: Michele Cash, PIO

Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies investigated a vehicle crash that occurred on Thursday, September 7, 2017, at 4:31 p.m. on Hwy 17 and Snively Ave in Winter Haven. 36-year-old Luis Ojeda Jr. of Pinellas Park, who was the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle, was arrested for one count DUI (M-1).

Ojeda was driving a 2007 gray Toyota Corolla and traveling northbound on Hwy 17 when he crashed into 18- year-old Noor Zayyad of Bartow. Zayyad was the driver and lone occupant of a 2016 red Chevrolet Malibu. Zayyad was stopped at the intersection of Hwy 17 and Snively Ave when Ojeda crashed into the rear of her car. There were no injuries.

Ojeda was transported to the Polk County Jail and his BAC was .248, nearly three times the legal limit.

Ojeda told deputies he was deployed as a member of the National Guard and was assigned to the armory at the Bartow Airbase. He was assigned to help prepare supplies and equipment for Hurricane Irma. Ojeda was leaving the armory and was traveling towards Winter Haven to pick up food when the crash occurred.

He was previously arrested in December 2003 by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for DUI.

Inquiries about Ojeda's employment should be directed to the National Guard.