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.

Apr 22, 2022

PCSO Computer Crimes detectives arrest two suspects for possession of child pornography

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) arrested two suspects for possession of child pornography after receiving tips from the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children (NCMEC) that the suspects were possibly transmitting or downloading the harmful images and videos. Detectives served search warrants at the suspects' houses and seized all of their digital devices for further analysis.

The images did not appear to depict local Polk County children, but the investigation is ongoing to identify them. During the more extensive forensic analysis of their devices, it's possible the suspects will be additionally charged if more images and/or videos are found.

“We partner with NCMEC to keep children safe, but it's those who are online, who see something and say something, who are the real front line of defense. We rely on you to send tips to law enforcement and NCMEC so that we can follow up and conduct an investigation. Please, if you see something while you are online or on mobile apps, say something. Contact your local law enforcement agency or go to NCMEC’s CyberTipline at https://report.cybertip.org/ to report suspicious online activity.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

60-year-old Kenneth Lester Kaufman of Lake Wales was arrested and charged with two counts possession of child pornography (F3) after detectives served a search warrant at his home following up on a NCMEC tip. During a preview of his electronic devices, detectives found two images depicting child pornography of females between the ages of 9 and 12 years old. He told detectives he is an IT manager for Auvidatel, Inc. in Winter Haven.

He was booked into the Polk County Jail on April 18, 2022, and is being held in lieu of $30,000 bond ($15,000 per charge). His criminal history includes previous arrests for burglary with assault, and non-payment of child support.

18-year-old Calvert Green of Mulberry was arrested and charged with one count possession of child pornography (F3) after detectives served a search warrant at his home following up on a NCMEC tip. During a preview of his electronic devices, detectives found a video depicting a child between the ages of 10 and 12 years old being sexually battered by an adult. He was booked into the Polk County Jail on April 20, 2022, and is awaiting a first appearance hearing.