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 Alicia Manautou. 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.

May 5, 2021

PCSO Vice Unit arrests two local men for lewd acts at two county public recreational sites

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, undercover detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit arrested two local men for lewd activity at two public county parks.

74-year-old James Charles Leamy of Dundee was arrested at Lake Fannie Boat Ramp after he propositioned an undercover detective to engage in a lewd act with him and grabbed the detective’s groin. Leamy was charged with Battery (M1) and Offer/Agree to Commit a Lewd Act (M-2). He was released from jail after posting a $750.00 bond.

67-year-old Clifford Mark Sutton, a registered sex offender, of Auburndale was arrested at Saddle Creek Park. Sutton propositioned the undercover detective to engage in a lewd act while exposing his genitals. Sutton was charged with Offer/Agree to Commit a Lewd Act (M-2), and Indecent Exposure (M-1). He was released from jail after posting a $750.00 bond.

"Polk County has beautiful parks where our citizens, families and children can enjoy the outdoors. We patrol our public parks to prevent illegal activity and to enforce county ordinances and state law. We will continue to arrest people who engage in lewd activity in our public places."- Grady Judd, Sheriff