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 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.

Apr 14, 2023

Operation Pop Top: Lakeland sales clerk arrested for illegal alcohol sales

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

A convenience store sales clerk was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, April 13, 2023, for selling alcohol to a minor.

It was the latest arrest in the PCSO's ongoing "Operation Pop Top" campaign, in which deputies visit convenience stores to ensure they are not selling alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21.

55-year old Larry Lawson, a clerk at the 7-Eleven store at 5870 US 98 North, was charged with selling alcohol to a minor (a misdemeanor). He was caught selling a 16-ounce can of Coors Light to a 17-year old who is a member of the PCSO's Explorers, a program for high school students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

"Deputies visited a total of six stores Thursday in the Lakeland area, and five of them were in compliance with state alcohol sales laws. Operation Pop Top is a necessary campaign that we will continue in an effort to protect the children of Polk County." - Grady Judd, Sheriff