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.

Jun 25, 2018

PCSO Deputies arrest Winter Haven man for multiple felonies, including impregnating a minor, armed drug trafficking, and possession of firearm by convicted felon

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

On Saturday, June 22, 2018, the PCSO Special Victims Unit obtained an arrest warrant for 33-year-old James McArthur Johnson, of 1503 31st Street NW in Winter Haven, for person over 21 impregnating a child under 16 years old (F-3), sexual battery by a person over 24 on a minor 16-17 years old (F-2), and lewd/lascivious battery on a minor 12-16 years old (F-2). All of these crimes were against the same victim, a girl with whom he has had an ongoing relationship, and has impregnated twice. The second pregnancy resulted in a miscarriage, at which time the victim's parents became aware of the relationship.

As deputies approached the home, they observed suspicious activity - including Johnson handing something in a small baggy to a man who rode up to the house on a bike, then left after stuffing the baggy in his pocket. Deputies spoke to the bicyclist, who confirmed Johnson sold him some synthetic marijuana. Deputies observed another person approach the home in a vehicle, and a similar transaction. That person advised Johnson is a known drug dealer and possesses several firearms.

Johnson is a convicted felon, and has been to state prison three times.

Deputies took Johnson into custody on the arrest warrant for the sex crimes against a child, then obtained a search warrant for his home. During the execution of the search warrant, deputies seized:

Two loaded firearms and several rounds of ammunition
Multiple baggies of marijuana (total weight 42.3 grams)
9.7 grams of heroin
0.1 gram meth
$760 cash
Photos of the child he fathered with the victim, and the hospital band belonging to the victim from when she delivered the baby

Additional charges filed against Johnson in reference to the items found during the search warrant are:

75 counts possession of ammunition & firearm by a convicted felon (F-2)
1 count armed trafficking in heroin (Capital Felony)
1 count possession with intent to sell heroin (F-2)
1 count possession of a structure to sell drugs (F-2)
1 count possession of marijuana with intent to sell (F-3)
1 count possession of marijuana over 20 grams (F-3)
1 count possession of drug paraphernalia (M-1)

He's being held on no bond for the armed trafficking charge. His criminal history includes convictions for armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, burglary, and grand theft. He was last released from prison in 2014.

"This is a violent, dangerous man. We hope his next trip to state prison is a lengthy one - he clearly does not know how to obey any law. He's what you call a true menace to society." - Grady Judd, Sheriff