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.

Nov 27, 2023

PCSO arrests pest & lawn service man for exposing himself to two customers; detectives seek other potential victims

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a pest & lawn service worker twice last week after detectives spoke with two female customers who said the man exposed himself to them during separate incidents.

27-year old Tyler Mountain of Lake Wales was charged with Lewd Exhibition (M1) and Lewd Exhibition to an Elderly Person (F3).

The investigation began on October 26, 2023 after a 76-year old woman reported that an employee of Massey Services exposed himself to her while he was in her Davenport home to provide an estimate for pest control services.

The victim reported that Mountain stepped out of her bathroom with his penis exposed saying that his zipper was broken, and requested her assistance, which she refused.

When a PCSO detective contacted Massey Services, a regional manager informed the detective that Mountain’s employment with the company had been terminated following the complaint—the second such complaint they received about him.

On November 22nd, Mountain was arrested for the October 26th incident, however, the victim of a previous incident in Haines City was not in the county at the time.

Upon the woman’s return, the PCSO detective met with her and learned that Mountain came to her home on July 24, 2023 for lawn maintenance, exposed himself, and also claimed his zipper was broken.

On November 25th, Mountain was again arrested and charged with the July offense.

“This man used his work position to gain access to the homes of these women, and then sexually exposed himself—this behavior is disgusting and predatory. We believe it’s possible that more victims of this man could be out there, and if that’s the case, we want them to come forward.”– Grady Judd, Sheriff

If anyone has information regarding similar acts by Tyler Mountain, please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.