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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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 1, 2025

Brothers arrested together in Winter Haven

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

On Sunday evening, August 31st, a pair of brothers in Winter Haven got arrested by detectives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies were called to a residence in Jan Phyl Village at around 6:31 pm regarding an aggravated assault.

According to the victims, two men showed up in front of their home threatening to kill them for riding ATVs in front of their property. One suspect handed a gun to the other suspect and that man threatened to kill the couple.

Deputies were able to locate the suspects' vehicle in front of their Reynosa Road property.

The two suspects were identified as 45-year old Joseph Sibold and 43-year old Jason Sibold. The men are brothers.

Both men denied ever leaving the house Sunday night, and denied even having a firearm.

Detectives recovered evidence that showed the men had left their property and a Taurus 9mm handgun was recovered from the brothers' attic.

Jason and Joseph were arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail and they were both charged with: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting.

The brothers have only been in Polk County for a year, but both brought with them a lengthy criminal history. Jason has 21 felony convictions and six misdemeanor convictions, while Joseph has 11 felony convictions and 11 misdemeanor convictions.