In April 2013, Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives developed 35-year-old Malynda Ford of Lakeland as a suspect possibly involved in an organized retail theft ring operating in Polk County and surrounding counties after she had been observed by the Beall’s Loss Prevention team in several Beall's stores acting suspiciously. Detectives began an in-depth investigation, conducting surveillance and determining other suspects who may be involved with Ford regarding retail thefts.

On May 14, 2013, PCSO Traffic deputies obtained an arrest warrant for 58-year-old Michael Sisco of Lake Wales, charging him with two counts DUI Manslaughter (F-2) and one count DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury (F-3) for a traffic fatality he caused on December 24, 2012, in Lake Wales. He was taken into custody at his home on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, and transported to the Polk County Jail.

On Thursday, March 21, 2013, PCSO undercover Computer Crimes detectives arrested brothers, 29-year-old Brian James Craft and 30-year-old Thomas James Craft, who both live with their mother at 5210 Dismuke Drive in Lakeland, and charged each with multiple counts Possession of Child Pornography. Brian was additionally charged with Lewd Molestation after detectives identified two children in the porn he had on his computer as children he had access to and whom he sexually molested.

On May 12, 2013, Polk County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Mulberry man and charged him with multiple charges related to running a chop shop on his 10-acre property.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Executive Staff members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office will recognize law enforcement, detention, civilian, and volunteer members of the agency on Thursday, May 23, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. at Lake Eva Banquet Hall in Haines City, at the 2013 PCSO Annual Awards ceremony. On hand to help recognize these members will be county elected officials and administrators, and other special dignitaries.

From Wednesday, May 8th, through Saturday, May 11th, 2013, Polk County Sheriff’s undercover detectives conducted an investigation targeting online e-commerce sites related to men and women who were advertising to commit prostitution and who were soliciting others for prostitution. At the conclusion of the four-day-long investigation, 92 suspects were arrested. Their charges ranged from Offering to Commit Lewdness in which the suspects either posted online ads, or answered online ads; to Aiding and Abett

Polk County Sheriff’s Traffic deputies are investigating a traffic crash between an all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) and a bicycle, in which one person was killed and three others critically injured.

On Thursday evening, May 9, 2013, Polk County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit detectives arrested 29-year-old Patrice Sanders (DOB 8/13/1983) of 1133 Enterprise Street in Lakeland, who drives a Polk County School bus (number 9856), and so far have charged her with: one count False Imprisonment (F-3); two counts Child Abuse (F-3); two counts Child Neglect (F-3); two counts Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (M-1).