Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200
If in an emergency Dial 911
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.
Mar 28, 2025
Spot-checks at local stores for illegal alcohol and tobacco sales results in one arrest
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
The Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted a round of Operation Pop-Top stops at five Winter Haven stores, to ensure they were abiding state laws in regards to alcohol and tobacco sales; one sales clerk was arrested.
During the ongoing operation, PCSO deputies are assisted by a local high school student who is a member of the agency's Cadet 1000 program for students who are interested in a career in law enforcement. The student enters various stores and attempts to purchase an alcoholic beverage, tobacco, or kratom.
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, a 15-year old student, under the watch of deputies, attempted to purchase alcohol at three stores, and was refused at all three.
The student attempted to purchase to tobacco, and was successful at the Blazen Blvd. store, located at 801 Cypress Gardens Boulevard in Winter Haven. The sales clerk who made the sale, 24-year old Beatrice Destin, was arrested and charged with Selling Tobacco to a Person under 21 Years, a misdemeanor.
"It is imperative that store clerks are checking IDs and refusing to sell alcohol, tobacco, or kratom, to anyone who is not of age. We are absolutely serious about enforcing this in Polk County, and we perform these checks routinely as a means to ensure that all stores are compliant with state law." - Grady Judd, Sheriff