News and Investigations

The Polk County Sheriff's Office carried-out another "Operation Pop-Top" on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, in which deputies ensure that stores within the county are not selling alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age.

Of the ten stores visited, nine of them were compliant.

22-year-old Lillian Jerkins, a sales clerk at the Shell store at 104 North Church Avenue in Mulberry, was arrested after she sold an alcoholic beverage (Bud Light) to a PCSO Explorer who is under 21-years-old.

The operation utilizes members of the PCSO Explorers, which is a program for high school students who are interested in a career in law enforcement. The Explorers, under the guidance of deputies, attempt to purchase alcohol at various stores.

The following nine stores were found to be in compliance with Florida alcohol beverage laws:
 
* 7-Eleven 7040 SR 37 North, Mulberry
* Murphy Express 6801 North Church Avenue, Mulberry
* Sunoco 1285 Hwy 37 North, Lakeland
* Get ‘n Go 2805 Shepherd Road, Lakeland
* Imperial Marathon 3230 West Pipkin Road, Lakeland
* Giant Oil 905 West Canal, Mulberry
* Tri Star 179 Shepherd Road, Mulberry
* Chevron 506 West Canal Street, Mulberry
* Best Value 607 East Canal Street, Mulberry

“We continually do these operations to make sure store employees are following the law by not selling alcohol to those under 21 years old. It’s their responsibility to check ID’s at all times. The stores and employees found in compliance did a fantastic job following the law, and we congratulate them for it.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff