GRADY JUDD

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Lakeland man has been arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter after a deadly crash, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. The crash occurred at around 7:37 a.m. on U.S. 98 North, about a mile north of State Road 471. WATCH: Police: Armed man shot by Orlando officers after attempted carjackingDeputies said Waters complained of general pain and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Deputies executed a search warrant for a blood sample, which will be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for analysis. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

Deputies arrest “grinch” who stole family’s Christmas presents Detectives say 28-year-old Raheim Jamaar Johnson was the man caught on video breaking into a Lakeland home and making off with presents and other items. (Polk County Sheriff)POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Sheriff’s deputies in Polk County, Florida, have arrested the “Grinch” who they say stole a family’s Christmas last week. When she returned home she found her front door open and all the wrapped Christmas presents missing. Read: Lakeland man charged with DUI-manslaughter in fatal Polk County crashJohnson was booked into the Polk County Jail and held without bond. Surveillance photos released by Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference Wednesday to urge the public to usher in the new year with safety after he said the sheriff’s office responded to five crashes resulting in eight deaths in a span of just 44 hours.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Lakeland man is facing felony charges in connection with a fatal crash along U.S. 98 in Polk County Tuesday morning. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<Read: Deputies: Driver who killed 2 children, struck 4 others in hit-and-run crash arrestedLakeland man charged with DUI-Manslaughter in fatal Polk County crash Waters faces charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury and resisting arrest. (Polk County Sheriff)According to investigators, Waters’ trailer became unstable and crossed over into the northbound lane and struck the box truck at the driver’s door. The driver of the box truck, a 44-year-old Lakeland man, died at the scene. Read: Man shot by officers in Orlando neighborhoodWaters faces charges of DUI-manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury, and resisting arrest.

Four people were killed and two others were injured in a four-vehicle crash east of Haines City on Monday, in which one car caught fire, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Sheriff’s deputies in Polk County, Florida, are asking for help finding a man who broke into a home and stole all the presents out from under the Christmas tree. >> Read more trending newsInvestigators say the thief broke into the Lakeland home Monday just moments after the owner left, WFLA reported. Judd said the man took several trips in and out of the house, eventually stealing a television and other items totaling $1,600. “I want him to wake up in the county jail on Christmas. Give me that for my Christmas present please,” asked Judd.

A Lakeland woman was arrested Wednesday after allegedly driving under the influence in a crash that left a 22-year-old dead earlier this year, Polk County deputies said.

Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting of a man who they said broke into a Lakeland home Tuesday afternoon.

The Elf on the Shelf now has competition with law enforcement wanting to help Santa Claus keep kids on the good list this Christmas season.

Substitute teacher charged with sexual battery on student Investigators say 20-year-old Ayanna Davis of Lakeland admitted to having sex with a student on four separate occasions off campus. (Polk County Sheriff)POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County substitute teacher was arrested Friday after deputies said she sexually battered a student. Detectives said the investigation began after a Lakeland High School student told them about a video on Snapchat showing the teacher and another student having sex. Investigators say 20-year-old Ayanna Davis of Lakeland admitted to having sex with a student on four separate occasions off campus. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<Police: Student arrested after threatening school shooting in DelandSheriff Grady Judd said Davis used her position of authority to take advantage of the student.

A person and a horse were killed in a crash in Polk County, sheriff's officials say.

Sheriff: Suspect hauling stolen equipment shot during struggle with deputy Michael Jeremy Hatfield of Bradenton, attempted to grab the deputy’s gun before trying to drive away. (Polk County Sheriff)POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County lieutenant is on paid administrative leave after shooting a suspect during an altercation following a traffic stop Friday. According to Sheriff Grady Judd, the deputy had pulled over a pickup hauling construction equipment that had been reported stolen from a construction site near Lakeland earlier that day. Read: Orange County Sheriff employee killed in I-4 crash near OrlandoDeputies found Hatfield two blocks away sitting in his truck. Hatfield remains in the hospital and once released will be booked into the Polk County jail.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is taking a preemptive strike against retail theft crime sprees that have been reported in other states. To prevent what she called “lawlessness” in Florida, Moody’s office launched the “Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange,” or FORCE. The first-of-its kind task force will utilize a new database that will help law enforcement identify trends and suspects in organized retail theft rings. The database will hold searchable information on theft incidents throughout the state that can be shared between retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors. According to the National Retail Federation, organized retail theft costs businesses in Florida and across the United States an estimated $30 billion every year.

Three Polk County deputies fired at two men inside a vehicle that sped at toward them while they were assisting another agency early Friday, according to the Polk County sheriff.

Authorities say more than 100 people have been arrested in a Florida human trafficking investigation that focused on victims who might be forced into prostitution.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd will give an update about a six-day undercover investigation focusing on identifying and helping victims of human trafficking. The news conference is set to start at 9:30 a.m. at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center in Winter Haven. They said 55 of the suspects live in Polk County. Of the 38 suspects arrested for offering to commit prostitution, two have been identified as possible human trafficking victims. Detectives said they worked with anti-trafficking organizations, and each suspect arrested for prostitution was offered assistance.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd briefed the media Friday on what he called the “violent” murder of a local woman and the search for the suspected killer. Judd provided a detailed timeline that started Wednesday when 74-year-old Perfecta Paz was reported missing by her sister, with whom she lived. The only other resident of the home, 39-year-old Aroldo Paz, told the sister Perfecta had simply left on her own. Detectives say they believe Aroldo Paz murdered Perfecta sometime after her sister went to work Tuesday. Polk City murder suspect vehicle Aroldo Paz' beige 1999 Toyota CamryJudd says they have evidence the vehicle may have been spotted recently in the Houston area.

Javorice Tramel, 21, was initially arrested on Sept. 22 for grand theft of the victim’s vehicle and violation of probation, but after an investigation by the Polk Sheriff’s Office, he has been charged with first degree murder and using a two-way device to commit a felony.

Sheriff: 2 hurt after shootout between motorcycle gangs on I-4POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies in Polk County said two people are in the hospital after an overnight shootout on Interstate 4. The highway was shut down for hours Friday morning as a result of the shooting. WATCH: Elaborate drug smuggling scheme leads to changes in mail distribution system at Osceola CorrectionsPolk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the shooters were in different gangs. “The Thug riders decided they would pass the Sin City riders, and that didn’t work so well,” Judd said. A woman who was on the back of his motorcycle was hit in the crossfire and is seriously hurt.

Two people on motorcycles were shot on Interstate 4 early Friday during a gun battle between members of two motorcycle gangs, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. A woman who was riding on the back of one motorcycle was shot in the head and thrown from the bike, Judd said. She died Friday, the Sheriff’s office announced Saturday. A second motorcyclist was shot in the back. The incident ...

Two people riding motorcycles were shot and injured overnight Friday in Polk County, according to the sheriff’s office.

Hispanic Heritage: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra's Jack Pena

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd provided an update Monday on the arrest of a Pennsylvania man who is accused of brutally killing three people in Davenport on Saturday.

“I want to underscore there is absolutely unequivocally zero evidence," said Judd, whose county is located between Tampa and Orlando. According to the sheriff, Runyon and his colleagues were in central Florida to perform work for a Bethlehem, Pa.-based electrical contractor that had been hired by the Publix grocery chain. Deciding to use a baseball bat instead of the crossbow, Runyon first attacked the supervisor who was sleeping and later died at a hospital. Runyon explained his bloodied condition to the Publix employee by saying he had been raped, and the Publix employee urged Runyon to go to a local hospital, which he did. The Publix employee then called the sheriff's office, and deputies arrested Runyon at the hospital, the sheriff said.

An electrician accused of killing three co-workers on assignment in central Florida told detectives he did it because his colleagues had raped him, but a Florida sheriff on Monday said there was no evidence to support the claim. Shaun Runyon, 39, confessed multiple times to the murders during interviews with detectives, telling them that the co-workers had raped him, and “he hated all three of them," but a sexual battery test failed to confirm the allegation, said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd during a news conference. “I want to underscore there is absolutely unequivocally zero evidence," said Judd, whose county is located between Tampa and Orlando.

Shaun Runyon got into the argument with his supervisor before the deadly rampage, officials said.

Florida Coworkers Attacked This photo provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office shows Shaun Runyon. Polk County Sheriff's officials said electrician Shaun Runyon got into the argument with his supervisor Friday, punching the man and fleeing the job site. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. Runyon and seven co-workers and their families were living at the home rented by a Pennsylvania company, J & B Electric, Inc.

Authorities say a third victim has died following a violent attack where an angry electrician wielding a knife and baseball bat killed three co-workers and injured another at the Florida home they shared.

Florida Coworkers Attacked This photo provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office shows Shaun Runyon. Polk County Sheriff's officials said electrician Shaun Runyon got into the argument with his supervisor Friday, punching the man and fleeing the job site. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. Runyon and seven co-workers and their families were living at the home rented by a Pennsylvania company, J & B Electric, Inc.

Florida Coworkers Attacked This photo provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office shows Shaun Runyon. Polk County Sheriff's officials said electrician Shaun Runyon got into the argument with his supervisor Friday, punching the man and fleeing the job site. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. Runyon and seven co-workers and their families were living at the home rented by a Pennsylvania company, J & B Electric, Inc.

Authorities said Sunday a third victim has died following a violent attack where an angry electrician wielding a knife and baseball bat killed three co-workers and injured another at the Florida home they shared. Polk County Sheriff's officials said electrician Shaun Runyon got into the argument with his supervisor Friday, punching the man and fleeing the job site. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital.

Authorities say an electrician who got in an angry dispute with a supervisor attacked his coworkers at the Florida home they shared, killing three.

Electrician Shun Runyon and his coworkers were living in Davenport while they worked temporarily at a supermarket for a Pennsylvania electric company. The 39-year-old got into the argument with his supervisor Friday, punching the man and fleeing the job site, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a news conference. A second victim was found dead on the front porch and a third victim was beaten so badly he was hospitalized in extremely critical condition and was “not expected to survive,” the sheriff said. Judd said the man discarded his bloody clothes at the home as they urged him to go to the hospital where he was later taken into custody. Runyon also has a violent criminal history, the sheriff said, including a violent arrest dealing with strangulation in Pennsylvania.

Three people were brutally beaten in Polk County, leaving two dead, Sheriff Grady Judd said Saturday. The third victim is also not expected to survive. Judd said sheriff’s deputies arrested Shaun Runyon, 39, for the murders after a two-hour manhunt. At a news briefing in Davenport, a community near Haines City, Judd outlined the series of events. Runyon worked for a Pennsylvania electric ...

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A man has been arrested after attacking people inside a Polk County home with a baseball bat and knife, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Polk County Sheriff’s Grady Judd said Shaun Runyon killed two people and left one in critical condition. WATCH: Body of missing woman Miya Marcano found, sheriff saysDeputies said Runyon was doing work with Publix cooperation in Lakeland as part of a Pennsylvania electric company. Watch Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s news conference here:After punching his supervisor, Runyon fled the job was working and his whereabouts were unknown, deputies said. WATCH: ‘Evil in the flesh’: Ex-Marine kills 3 adults and infant during rampage in Polk County, sheriff saysDeputies said he went inside the home and beat and stabbed a total of seven people.

An undercover investigation led by Polk County Sheriff's Office led to the arrest of 16 suspects for possessing, creating and sharing child thousands of child pornography files.

Richard B. Stafford, the attorney for the family of Gabby Petito, said during a press conference Tuesday that Brian Laundrie, Petito's fiancé, should turn himself in. Laundrie, who has not been specifically connected to Petito's death, is the subject of a federal warrant accusing him of illegally using another person's debit card and PIN.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is praising the actions of a group of citizens who saw one of his deputies struggling to detain a murder suspect and came to help. According to the sheriff’s office, 37-year-old Jason Robinson’s mother called Saturday evening to report that her son told her he’d killed his girlfriend. According to the Sheriff’s Office, as the deputy attempted to place Robinson in handcuffs, he attacked the deputy, removing his radio and taser while choking him. That’s when two bystanders who witnessed the struggle intervened to help the deputy get Robinson into handcuffs. According to the sheriff’s office, he also has extensive criminal records in multiple other states including Illinois, Delaware, Mississippi, and North Carolina.

A Florida man was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend after he confessed to his mother and she called police, sheriff's officials said Monday. Jason Robinson was arrested Saturday night after a struggle in which he removed a Polk County Sheriff's stun gun and radio and attempted to choke him, the sheriff's office said in a news release. “Had they not gotten involved, this could have been much worse than it already is,” Sheriff Grady Judd said.

Riley, who did not know the family, also shot an 11-year-old girl, but she survived. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)The Associated Press reported that Riley told authorities he was high on methamphetamines when the killings took place. Riley, who did not know the family, also shot an 11-year-old girl, but she survived. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)Riley gained entrance to the main house by shooting out the glass in the back door. Like Gleason had the evening before, the girl told Riley her name was not Amber and there was no Amber living there, the sheriff said.

Chance encounter with father set off fatal series of events spurred by "fiction, all made up" by suspect, sheriff adds. Four family members were shot, including infant being held by mother.

Florida Shooting Family Killed Officers from the Polk County Sheriff Department work outside Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, in Lakeland, Fla., at the home where a family of four was shot and killed. Riley had told acquaintances he was headed for Hurricane Ida relief work and the friend offered the kit for the purported trip. In fact, no one named Amber lived at the home and Gleason repeatedly told Riley that before asking him to leave their initial encounter. He's a sniveling coward,” Judd told reporters. This is going to go on for weeks and weeks and weeks,” the sheriff said.

A Florida sheriff says a chance encounter with a former Marine beset by delusions of child sex trafficking ultimately led to the massacre of four members of a Florida family including mother holding a baby boy.

POLK COUNTY, FLA. — An 11-year-old girl remains hospitalized after she was shot multiple times the same morning that four members of her family were shot and killed inside their Polk County home. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd provided an update on the girl’s condition and the investigation into suspect Bryan Riley, 33, on Thursday. Judd said Riley, a Marine veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, has shown no remorse since the shooting. PHOTOS: 4 fatally shot including infant in unincorporated Polk County, suspect has shootout with deputiesExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 7 4 fatally shot in unincorporated Polk County Polk County deputy shootout; 4 dead in Lakeland (Polk County Sheriff's Office)Judd said Riley returned to the property in the early hours of the next morning to begin his “execution” plan. The 11-year-old told deputies Riley pulled her aside and interrogated her about Amber, shooting her several times when she said she didn’t know who Amber was.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd will provide an update Thursday morning on Sunday’s quadruple homicide.

Bryan Riley allegedly shot and killed a couple, their 3-month-old son and the boy's grandmother. An 11-year-old girl in the Lakeland, Fla., home was shot seven times but is in stable condition.

Riley, who served as a sharpshooter in Iraq and Afghanistan, surrendered Sunday morning after a furious gun battle with authorities. According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Riley told interrogators that the victims “begged for their lives, and I killed them anyway.””He is evil in the flesh,” Judd said. Riley, who lives 30 miles away in Tampa (50 kilometers), told Gleason that God had sent him to prevent a suicide by someone named Amber. Gleason and one of the other victims told Riley no one by that name lived there and asked him to leave. Still, one officer rushed in and grabbed the wounded girl, who told authorities there were three dead people inside.

Marine veteran Bryan Riley, 33, is being held without bond after Sunday's massacre on four counts of first-degree murder.

Riley, who served as a sharpshooter in Iraq and Afghanistan, surrendered Sunday morning after a furious gun battle with authorities. According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Riley told interrogators that the victims “begged for their lives, and I killed them anyway.””He is evil in the flesh,” Judd said. Riley, who lives 30 miles away in Tampa (50 kilometers), told Gleason that God had sent him to prevent a suicide by someone named Amber. Gleason and one of the other victims told Riley no one by that name lived there and asked him to leave. Still, one officer rushed in and grabbed the wounded girl, who told authorities there were three dead people inside.

Riley, who served as a sharpshooter in Iraq and Afghanistan, surrendered Sunday morning after a furious gun battle with authorities. According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Riley told interrogators that the victims “begged for their lives, and I killed them anyway.””He is evil in the flesh,” Judd said. Riley, who lives 30 miles away in Tampa (50 kilometers), told Gleason that God had sent him to prevent a suicide by someone named Amber. Gleason and one of the other victims told Riley no one by that name lived there and asked him to leave. Still, one officer rushed in and grabbed the wounded girl, who told authorities there were three dead people inside.

A former Marine sharpshooter accused of invading the home of apparent strangers in Florida and fatally shooting a woman, her 3-month-old baby and two others was ordered held without bail.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Riley, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, appeared to be suffering from mental health issues. Hours later, Riley returned and shot the family, telling his interrogators that “they begged for their lives and I killed them anyway,” Judd said. He ran back into the house, where authorities heard another round of gunfire, “a woman scream and a baby whimper,” Judd said. Everything fell silent, until a helicopter unit alerted authorities on the ground that Riley was coming out, the sheriff said. “We will not know today or maybe ever.”___Associated Press reporter Freida Frisaro contributed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A Florida sheriff called a former Marine sharpshooter a "coward" after the quadruple murder suspect surrendered to authorities with his hands up after a prolonged firefight.

"They begged for their lives and I killed them anyway," the sheriff said suspect Bryan Riley told them during an interrogation.

The sheriff said the man seemed to have targeted his victims at random and appeared to be suffering from mental health issues.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A man who worked security at an Orlando church will go before a judge for the first time since Polk County deputies said he killed four people, including a baby. READ: ‘Evil in the flesh’: Ex-Marine kills 3 adults and infant during rampage in Polk County, sheriff saysRiley is accused of killing four people: two women, a man, and a 3-month-old. The family’s dog was also fatally shot, Judd said. Riley told deputies that he was “taking meth” and also described himself as a survivalist. PHOTOS: 4 fatally shot including infant in unincorporated Polk County, suspect has shootout with deputiesJudd said “dozens if not hundreds of rounds” were fired overall.

Police were on the scene within six minutes, but Grady said they found no trace of the suspect. When they circled to the back, they encountered the shooter and exchanged heavy gunfire, before the suspect retreated back into the home. Everything fell silent, Judd said, except for the helicopter blades overhead, until the suspect came out to surrender. His vehicle had also been stocked with supplies for a gunfight, authorities said, including bleeding control kits. “They had to fight with him again in the emergency room,” Grady said, before he was ultimately tied down and medicated.

An armored survivalist on meth who spent four years in the Marines told a woman that God sent him to her house to speak with one of her daughters, then returned and killed four people inside the Florida home Sunday morning, according to police. Lakeland police were called to the home around 7:30 p.m. Saturday after the woman called 911 on the suspicious man, but after about 20 minutes, neither ...

Sheriff deputies in Polk County said they encountered a massive gunfight Sunday with a suspect in full body armor. Authorities said the suspect, who is now hospitalized, was "ready for battle."

the suspect was shot once and left the home to surrender. She told deputies there were three dead people inside, Judd said during a news conference Sunday. He did not release any of the victims' identities, including that of the alleged gunman. The shooter also told authorities he was on methamphetamines. The suspects vehicle had also been stocked with supplies for a gunfight, authorities said, including bleeding control kits.

A Florida sheriff says a man wearing full body armor fatally shot four people, including a mother and the 3-month-old baby she was cradling, and engaged in a massive gunfight with police and deputies before getting wounded and surrendering.

Four people were killed, an 11-year-old girl was shot and deputies came under fire early Sunday in a neighborhood in North Lakeland, Florida.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A man shot four people including an infant in multiple Polk County homes before turning the gun on law enforcement, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Several hours later around 4:30 a.m., a lieutenant responding to another scene a few miles away heard “a volley of automatic gunfire,” Judd said. The suspect eventually came out with his hands raised and was taken into custody after being shot once, Judd said. Deputies then went to the house behind it and found another woman shot to death. The man told deputies that he was “taking meth” and also described himself as a survivalist.

Deputies found an infant and three people shot and killed in a Polk County neighborhood on Sunday morning, according to the sheriff’s office.

Several of the 29 law enforcement officers in Florida that have died of COVID-19 were from around Tampa Bay, Fox 13 reports.The fallen: St. Pete police officer Michael Weiskopf, 52, died of COVID complications last week. He was unvaccinated, despite his wife's urging.Manatee Corrections Department worker Douglas Clark, 67, died Thursday. His vaccination status was not disclosed.Polk County sheriff’s deputy Christopher Broadhead, 32, died Monday after several weeks in the hospital.Get market news

Florida man shoots grandmother in neck, investigators say Byron Quintez Dexter was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a weapon, carrying a concealed firearm and shooting into an occupied dwelling, investigators said. (Polk County Sheriff's Office/Polk County Sheriff's Office)POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A 21-year-old Florida man who shot his grandmother in the neck on Thursday told investigators he “killed the devil,” officials said. Their grandmother was seated at a table and Dexter immediately turned and shot her in the neck. “(His mother) got into the room just in time to see Byron fleeing out of the home, gun in hand,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. Judd said Dexter told investigators, “I killed a black queen so I won the game,” and later, “I killed the devil.” Judd said Dexter had no previous criminal history but did suffer mental health issues, WFLA reported.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina is continuing his push to get everyone in his department vaccinated.

Grady Judd is an archconservative little troll who threatened the non-MAGAfied residents of his county with arrest for voting the wrong way. And even he...

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd urges people to listen to their doctors.

They are among 17 people charged in "Operation Child Protector," law-enforcement officials in Florida said.

17 arrested in Florida sting Charges were filed against 17 people arrested in a six-day undercover sting. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Seventeen people, including three Walt Disney World employees and a registered nurse, were arrested in a six-day undercover child predator sting by Central Florida authorities. Detectives arrested 17 suspects of varying professions, during an undercover operation focused on online adult predators. Even at the conclusion maybe we can cuddle a little bit,’” Judd told reporters. “He left his girlfriend, who is seven months pregnant with his child, to have sex with a child,” Judd told reporters.

Tashia Smith was reported missing earlier this week but later found shot to death.

A woman who had been drinking and smoking marijuana got behind the wheel and caused a fatal wrong-way crash Sunday morning, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

A Winter Haven man was found with over 600 images and videos depicting child pornography and tried to factory reset his phone after “battering a victim in the home” before deputies arrived, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Nine people were arrested in a Winter Haven drug bust, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Polk County deputies quickly arrested the man the say shot and killed a victim during an argument Friday.

A 2-year-old girl is in critical condition after being shot by her 3-year-old brother Friday evening, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Polk County Jail inmates will soon have the chance to get vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a news release.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a controversial "anti-rioting" bill into law Monday during an new briefing in Polk County.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Three former Polk County deputies face charges after money went missing from an arrest in December, according to the sheriff’s office. Detectives said the sergeant then questioned Raczynski about the money and told his superior that he and Lawson would “make it right” by submitting their own money into evidence. AdRaczynski now faces charges of conspiracy to commit evidence tampering, official misconduct, tampering or fabricating evidence, forgery and uttering forged instrument. Lawson faces conspiracy to commit evidence tampering, official misconduct and tampering or fabricating evidence. Cook faces conspiracy to commit evidence tampering.

Ebony Chaney, 34, of Lake Wales - Charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and cheating/gross fraud. Phyllis Tirado, 49, of Lake Wales - Charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, obtaining property by fraud and cheating/gross fraud. Takila McBurrows, 36, of Lake Wales - Charged with obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and criminal use of personal ID. AdTashai Newman, 43, of Winter Haven - Charged with obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and criminal use of personal ID. Derrick Dawsey, 50, of Lake Wales - Charged with obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and criminal use of personal ID.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Polk County Public Schools employee crashed her pickup truck and was arrested for driving under the influence, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies responded to Lake Mabel Loop Road around 4:03 p.m. Sunday where a black Chevrolet Silverado was crashed into a barbed wire fence. Following a field sobriety test, Steele was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail. Deputies also collected two breath samples that read .183 and .178 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. “Thankfully, this was not a serious crash, but the issue of driving while impaired is still a very serious problem.”According to the sheriff’s office, Steele is currently employed by Polk County schools in the curriculum and instruction department as a social science coach.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Polk County paramedic is accused of stealing highly sought-after coronavirus vaccine doses, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. Polk County Fire Rescue contacted the sheriff’s office after determining the doses were not given to firefighters and were missing. The sheriff, along with Polk County Fire Chief Robert Weech described Tuesday during a news conference how authorities learned of the missing doses. Polk County Fire Rescue paramedic arrested Sheriff Grady Judd, along with PCFR Fire Chief Robert Weech and Deputy County Manager Joe Halman, is giving details about the arrest of Polk County Fire Rescue paramedic Joshua Colon in the theft of three Moderna vaccine doses. The captain was formerly a reserve deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

“He was laid to rest in a grave in Fort Meade, there were solar lights placed in his grave by his family and a worthless individual stole those lights. They installed a game camera that downloaded text and put more solar lights up,” Judd said. We have caught us a thieving animal on the game camera, they notify the sheriff’s office, we immediately responded and arrested Kevin Wheeler with more stolen lights from Damien Tillman’s grave,” Judd said. I thought they were cool so I stole them off of a dead young man’s grave, who was viciously murdered,’” Judd said. His criminal history includes grand theft and vehicle theft charges, as well as receiving a special court martial by the U.S.

An 18-year-old Lake Nona High School student was arrested Monday in connection with a house party that left four teens injured, including a girl who was dragged under a car for 450 feet, Polk County sheriff’s officials said. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Mateo Pinzon Penagos was arrested in Orlando on charges of burglary with damages over $1,000, criminal use of personal identification and allowing minors alcohol at an open house party. Sheriff’s officials said the vacation home sustained more than $2,000 in damage, and detectives later determined that it was hosted by Penagos. They said they were also able to locate witnesses who saw Penagos with the stolen identification and had first-hand knowledge that he was responsible for arranging the open house party. “At the very least, open house parties are loud and disruptive to neighborhoods and leave litter and damages behind,” Judd said.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A custodian at a Lakeland elementary school is accused of grabbing a woman by her neck during a domestic dispute, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. News 6 is not naming the suspect in order to protect the identity of the victim. The man is facing a domestic violence charge of battery on a person over the age of 65. In this particular case, this man was arrested for a violent act. Losing his temper and becoming violent is not acceptable behavior for anyone, especially someone who is around a lot of children each day,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news release.

Sheriff Grady Judd said 29-year-old deputy Peter Heneen made the threats the night after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol. POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Polk County deputy is accused of making written threats related to violence at the Capitol, according to the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Grady Judd said 29-year-old deputy Peter Heneen made the threats the night after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol. An investigation on Heneen was started after another deputy who is also the suspect’s friend shared screenshots of the threats. Judd said Heneen continued his hate talk after his friend tried to talk him down.

Desecrated graves in Mount Dora (Polk County Sheriff's Office)During a news conference on Friday, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said that detectives served a search warrant at Lopez’s home where they found a shed with a religious shrine and seven skulls. Shrine in Lake Wales (Polk County Sheriff's Office)Before the men vandalized the grave sites, Judd said they drank Bacardi rum and spit it out on the ground. Authorities said DNA on those cigars left at the crime scene led them to identify the two men as suspects. “When asked about why a hero’s grave, He (Lopez) said because the spirit is much stronger in a hero than it is a normal person,” Judd said. “He complained that in the United States, it’s difficult in getting human remains to practice his religion.”Brian Montalvo, Juan Burgos-LopezBoth men were booked into the Polk County Jail on their Lake County warrants.

I appreciate the hard work our detectives did that was necessary to file these charges,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news release. The 13 men arrested are:Shaun David Bonacci, 43, of Davenport on charges of promoting child pornography and possession of child pornography. Henry Dunn, 47, of Winter Haven on 40 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography, promotion of child pornography, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jonathan Godwin, 20, of Winter Haven on four counts of possession of child pornography and one count of promotion of child pornography. Clifford Wayne Rogers, 40, of Bartow on 212 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

POINCIANA, Fla. – Two teens wanted in connection with a fatal drug-related shooting in Polk County turned themselves in to authorities on Wednesday, officials said. Polk County sheriff’s officials said 18-year-old Tarmetris Daniel Mack and 17-year-old Alfred Higgs, Jr., both had warrants for armed robbery and first-degree murder. Video from outside the convenience store shows that during the transaction, the suspects robbed the victim, which led to an exchange of gunfire between them, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The teens turned themselves in to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and will have their first court appearance Thursday. [READ MORE: Teens wanted in Polk County armed robbery, homicide]

She was also known as a protective mother,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Tuesday. Once she was gone, Judd said Stansell, Sutton and Eubank went to the house and knocked on the front door. Not long after the fight began, Penton arrived home and the teens went back to the van. Realizing something was wrong, Penton went into the road to take pictures of the van so she could help identify the people who attacked her son. Elijah Stansell, Elijah Stansell runs over her, completely over her.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A marijuana deal gone wrong ended with a shootout that killed a suspected dealer Monday afternoon, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said the victim, a man in a white Nissan, went to a 7-Eleven on Marigold Avenue around 3 p.m. to meet with two males to sell them marijuana. One went inside the white Nissan while the other stayed outside, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is at the scene of a drug-related homicide near the intersection of Marigold Avenue and Walnut Street in Poinciana. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.

LAKELAND, Fla. – A Florida high school teacher, soccer coach and church youth leader has been charged with 408 counts of child pornography possession, authorities said Saturday. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a news conference that 46-year-old Shawn Fitzgerald possessed hundreds of pornographic images on his cellphone. Judd said it didn't appear that the images were locally produced or that Fitzgerald had harmed any children himself. The images depict children as young as 10 months old being sexually abused by adults and engaging in acts with other children, the sheriff said. Fitzgerald teaches at Lakeland High School and has coached the boy’s soccer team there since 2014.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Two teenagers are accused of changing direct deposit information so that paychecks that were meant for Lowe’s employees were instead deposited into accounts they controlled, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said the investigation began on Sept. 22 when the manager at Lowe’s on Lake Highlands Road in Lakeland notified them about possible payroll fraud. Smith and Sivley would then move the money to cash apps and use it to buy cellphones they sold on eBay, according to authorities. Deputies said the two suspects stole $11,795 from three employees’ payroll accounts. I can tell you that is not the case, and we will do everything we can to hold them accountable,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – After a 21-year-old Winter Haven man was found dead in an orange grove Tuesday, Polk County Sheriff’s Office officials say he was likely the victim of a homicide. Danne Frazier was found dead in an orange grove off Helicopter Road in Lake Wales, according to the sheriff’s office. An autopsy will be performed Friday to determined his cause of death, however, deputies say the circumstances surrounding his death are suspicious. “As you might imagine, this is a difficult time for the family of Danne Frazier and the Publix family as well. "He was brutally murdered, and then dumped in an orange grove, and his family deserves justice.”Anyone with information about Frazier’s disappearance and death is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.

Deputies attempted to use a can of clear out, a chemical agent, to draw out Mejia Santel, but it had not impact. When a deputy reached down to pick up the can, Mejia Santel charged the deputies, according to the sheriff. When Mejia Santel got within four feet of the deputies they opened fire, two deputies shooting six times. The sheriff said he wished he could give his deputies “pixie dust” to “make things well” when dealing with persons with mental health issues. His deputies would have continued to negotiate with Mejia Santel if he hadn’t charged with them with a machete, according to Judd.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A hit-and-run driver went on a crime spree that involved him trying and failing to steal four separate vehicles and in the process being doused with gasoline and held at gunpoint, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. “So the man, who has a concealed weapons permit, properly pulled out his firearm and extracted Christopher from his vehicle at gunpoint. “We arrived at force and we take Christopher Hendrix into custody and we put Christopher Hendrix in handcuffs in the back of our car. Christopher Hendrix tries to escape. “But you know what is really cool about Polk County?

A 19-year-old man was killed following a shooting in Polk County, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies took into custody Brian Medeiros after an incident that happened at the Landing at Four Corners apartment complex that resulted in the death of Devyne Pritchett, deputies said. Medeiros then fled to his third-floor apartment to tell his roommate, Judd said. Medeiros then grabbed a gun from his car, and after confronting Pritchett on a stairwell, and shot him multiple times, Judd said. Pritchett then stumbled upon the stairwell died, according to Judd.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A homeowner shot and killed a burglary suspect who tried to break into a Polk County home, sheriff’s officials said. According to investigators, the fatal shooting took place on Ellie Road in the Auburndale area. Deputies said the homeowner shot Joshua Mathieu, 34, who was reportedly breaking into the home. Mathieu has a criminal history dating back to 2010, authorities said. Sheriff Grady Judd provided additional updates Saturday morning.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. A man is behind bars after deputies with the Polk County Sheriffs Office said he hit a pedestrian in Lakeland then left the scene. According to officials, 29-year-old Robert Patrick Gibson of Lakeland was arrested Saturday for the fatal hit and run of a pedestrian on Combee Road. He admitted to detectives that after he had learned of the hit and run, he thought he had probably been at fault, deputies said. This isnt the first time Gibson has left the scene of a crash. Gibson was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail.