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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 26, 2024
Three arrested for environmental crimes; missing dog found
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
Agriculture Crime detectives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested three people for environmental crimes in Fort Meade on June 25, 2024, and recovered a dog that had been missing for over a year.
Detectives responded to a Fort Meade man's residential property after he complained of unknown people camping in his woods near the Peace River.
When the detectives entered the woods they found three suspects using two tents.
A large amount of trash had accumulated from the suspects, and they had also been burning plastics and household items in the woods.
The suspects were identified as 48-year old Clyde Gillan, 31-year old Chasity Campbell, and 49-year old Guy Mullins.
The amount of trash the trio created qualified for a felony, and all three were charged with Felony Illegal Dumping.
Clyde and Chasity were additionally charged with Illegal Burning and Possession of Methamphetamine, Hydrocodone, and Drug Paraphernalia.
Also found at the campsite was a Cur Mix dog. A PCSO Animal Control officer responded to take custody of the dog. In doing so, the dog was checked for a micro-chip, and one was found. The chip revealed that the dog had been reported missing by its owner on April 29, 2023 after it ran away.
"The suspects had no permission to be on the victim's property; they were trashing it and creating a nuisance to public health. Now they've been removed, and the property owner is happy, the dog is happy, and the owner of the dog is happy. That makes me happy." -Grady Judd, Sheriff.