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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.
Oct 20, 2026
OPERATION POP-TOP: Clerk arrested after selling an alcoholic beverage to a teen
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office continued the agency's ongoing Operation Pop Top campaign Monday, October 19, 2026, which resulted in the arrest of a sales clerk in Lakeland.
During the effort, deputies visited twelve convenience stores in the Lakeland and Mulberry area to ensure they do not sell alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21 years of age, per state law.
The deputies were assisted by a member of the PCSO's Cadet 1000, a program for high school students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.
On Monday, the deputies were helped by a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old Cadet member.
"The students are never in any kind of danger as they assist deputies. The danger is to the juveniles who illegally purchase alcohol. There is good reason why state law prohibits that, and we conduct these visits to enforce the law, by making sure businesses are compliant." - Grady Judd, Sheriff
Out of the dozen stores visited, the Cadet was successful in purchasing an alcoholic beverage once-- at the RaceTrac store at 6486 South Florida Avenue in Lakeland.
The sales clerk there, 57-year old Anthony Wilson was arrested and charged with Sale of Alcohol to a Person under 21, a misdemeanor.