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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.
Jun 21, 2025
PCSO enforcement of illegal alcohol and kratom sales results in two arrests
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted another round of Operation Pop-Top visits to local stores that sell alcoholic beverages and kratom.
Ten stores were checked to ensure they were compliant with state law regarding alcohol sales, and one store was checked regarding kratom sales.
Alcoholic beverages and kratom are prohibited to be sold to anyone under 21-years of age.
"As a law enforcement agency, we have a responsibility to the community to enforce these laws. Likewise, if you're a sales clerk, or the owner of a store, you also have a responsibility to the community to refuse to sell alcohol or kratom to anyone under the age of 21." - Grady Judd, Sheriff
On Friday, June 20, 2025, the deputies visited stores in Winter Haven, Mulberry, Auburndale, Bartow, and Lakeland. The deputies were assisted in the attempted purchases by a 15-year old girl, who is a member of the PCSO's Cadet program.
At nine of the ten stores where the girl attempted to purchase an alcoholic beverage, she was denied. However, she was successful in completing a purchase at the Mulberry Chevron store at 506 West Canal Street. The sales clerk who sold the beverage was charged with selling alcoholic beverage to a person less than 21-years-- a misdemeanor.
The Cadet was also successful in purchasing kratom at Steezy Smoke Shop at 2791 Recker Highway in Winter Haven. The sales clerk was charged with selling kratom to a person under the age of 21 years, also a misdemeanor.