News and Investigations

For the second time in a week, the Polk County Sheriff's Office has made two arrests for illegal alcohol sales at area convenience stores. Late last week, two store clerks were arrested at two Davenport stores, and on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, two more clerks were arrested at stores in Haines City and Dundee.

"Our deputies are out there often, visiting stores and making sure they're not selling alcohol to anyone under 21 years old, and we're going to keep checking, and keep enforcing the law."- Grady Judd, Sheriff

The checks are part of a campaign called, "Operation Pop Top." Deputies utilize PCSO Explorers to attempt to purchase alcohol at the stores. The Explorers program is for students who are interested in a career in law enforcement. On Tuesday, the Explorer who took part in the checks was a 17-year old boy.

Arrested were:
* 32-year old Meshella Letemps, who works at the Pilot Travel Center at 35647 US 27 in Haines City.

* 25-year old Ashlee Hart, who works at 7-Eleven at 28200 US 27 in Dundee.

Both women were charged with selling alcohol to someone under 21, a misdemeanor.

Two other stores were visited, and they were both compliant with state law. Those stores were:

RaceTrac at 32886 US 27 in Haines City and Sunoco at 30105 US 27 in Lake Hamilton.