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.

Jan 3, 2024

Operation Pop-Top: Davenport convenience store clerk arrested for illegal alcohol sale

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a convenience store clerk on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, after he illegally sold alcohol to someone under 21 years of age, during an undercover "Operation Pop Top" investigation.

"These operations are carried out frequently at different locations throughout the county, to ensure that the stores and employees are compliant with state laws, by not selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Those who sell alcoholic beverages illegally will be held accountable." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

The person who purchased the alcoholic beverage is a 20-year-old member of the PCSO Explorers program which consists of students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

The Explorer visited ten stores in the Davenport area, plus Haines City and Winter Haven, and she was only successful in purchasing alcohol at one of those stores. Two other stores were visited by deputies to ensure they were compliant with Kratom sales laws.

Deputies arrested 19-year-old Edward Schulze III at the 7-Eleven store at 6205 Lake Wilson Road in Davenport and charged him with Selling Alcohol to a Person Under the Age of 21 (a misdemeanor).