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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 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.

Oct 19, 2022

Four men and a teen arrested by Polk County Sheriff’s Office for possessing child pornography

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

Detectives from the Computer Crimes Unit at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested four men and a teenager for possession of child pornography after investigators received tips on the suspects’ computer activity. The detectives were assisted by the PCSO Vice Unit and Technical Service Unit in the investigation.

The tips were provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The five suspects arrested were:
- Timothy Ahearn, 64, from Lakeland
Possession of Child Pornography (F2, 141 counts, Enhanced)

- Ryan Murray, 32, from Lakeland
Possession of Child Pornography (F3) and Promote Sexual Performance by a Child (F2)
Prior Criminal History: Charged by PCSO in 2012 and convicted in 2014 for possession of child pornography (40 counts, enhanced), and served seven years of a ten year sentence in Florida State Prison.

- Eric Lewis, 38, from Davenport
Possession of Child Pornography (F2, 37 counts, Enhanced), Possession of Methamphetamine (F3), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1)
Prior Criminal History: Charged by FDLE in 2015 for possession of child pornography (10 counts) and convicted. He served six months in jail and was put on probation for 53 months.

- Judiel Gonzalez, 61, from Lakeland
Possession of Child Pornography (F2, 15 Counts, Enhanced), Possession of Marijuana (M1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1)

- Giovanny Hernandez, 16, from Haines City
Possession of Child Pornography (F2, 36 counts, Enhanced)

“When our detectives receive tips from NCMEC, they tenaciously go after the suspects, build a solid case, and get them locked up as quickly as possible. Two of these men have already served time in prison and jail for possession of child pornography—here they are again, actively participating in the abusive child pornography industry—fueling the current and future sexual abuse of young children. We will do everything we can to make sure these deviant suspects are held accountable for their crimes. My message is simple: if you download, trade, create, or share child pornography in Polk County, we will lock you up.” Grady Judd, Sheriff

As part of the investigations, all electronic devices belonging to the suspects were seized by detectives, and will be subjected to further forensic examinations. Any additional child pornography recovered from the devices would result in more charges.