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.

Oct 25, 2023

Lakeland man arrested by PCSO for offering to commit lewd activity at Saddle Creek Park

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

A Lakeland man was arrested Tuesday, October 24, 2023, for lewd activity at Saddle Creek Park east of Lakeland.

At about 10:10 am, an undercover Vice Unit detective from the Polk County Sheriff's Office witnessed a man drive onto the park property and the man began rubbing himself vigorously in a sexual manner.

During a conversation, the suspect told the detective that he came to the park to meet someone and then offered to perform oral sex on the detective.

The suspect was arrested and identified as 67-year old David Arnold.

"The arrest happened at a family park--where parents bring their children to fish or have picnics and make pleasant memories. They don't want their children witnessing behavior like this. That's why we do these undercover operations at various parks across the county. It simply will not be tolerated." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

David Arnold was charged with Offering to Commit Lewdness (M2) and Trespassing (M1).