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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 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.
Mar 3, 2016
PCSO Vice Unit Arrests Three Men at Area Parks
Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO
On Tuesday, March 1, 2016, the PCSO Undercover Vice Unit conducted an operation at Saddle Creek Park, Gator Creek Reserve, Fort Fraser Trail, Lake Fannie Boat Ramp, and Mosaic Peace River Park, in response to complaints about lewd activity. Three suspects were arrested at two different locations.
74-year-old James Simpson, Jr., of Auburndale, exposed himself to and solicited an undercover PCSO detective in the restroom at Saddle Creek Park. Simpson was arrested and charged with one count Indecent Exposure and one count Committing Lewd Act, and issued a permanent trespass from all Polk County parks. He told the detectives he is married, and retired. He does not have any prior arrests in Polk County.
67-year-old Mickie Meyer of Polk City, solicited an undercover PCSO detective to perform a lewd act at Saddle Creek Park. Meyer was arrested for one count Solicitation to Commit Lewd Act, and issued a permanent trespass from all Polk County parks. He told the detectives he is divorced, and retired. He has five prior arrests in Polk County, for soliciting undercover detectives at Saddle Creek Park, and marijuana possession.
67-year-old James Guyton of Lakeland, exposed himself to, grabbed, and solicited an undercover PCSO detective at Gator Creek Reserve. Guyton was arrested for one count Solicitation to Commit Lewd Act, and one count Battery, and issued a permanent trespass from all Polk County parks. He told detectives he works at Bridge of Hope Church in Lakeland. He does not have any prior arrests in Polk County.