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.

Sep 25, 2023

Lakeland man charged with domestic violence

Media Contact: Scott Wilder

51-year-old Fernando Gonzalez of Lakeland was charged with battery domestic violence for pushing his girlfriend during an argument, during which she was trying to leave their shared residence. Gonzalez is employed as a Federal Air Marshal.

At approximately 1:15 pm on Sunday, September 24, deputies responded to a residence in Lakeland. The victim reported she was pushed against her will against a door in the home by Gonzalez. Deputies observed a small cut mark on the victim’s left wrist that had minor bleeding.

Fernando Gonzalez denied touching the victim during the argument. Deputies observed in the affidavit that the victim’s description of what happened was consistent throughout the investigation and that Gonzalez’ was not consistent, changing his description of the event several times.

“We expect better from a law enforcement officer. We have notified the Air Marshal’s office of this arrest.” Grady Judd, Sheriff

Gonzalez was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail.