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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.
Jan 23, 2026
PCSO Vice Unit Arrests Two Men at County Parks
Media Contact: Juliana Rivera, PIO
On Friday, January 23, 2026, the PCSO Undercover Vice Unit conducted an operation at Saddle Creek Park and Lions Park in response to complaints about lewd activity. Two suspects were arrested.
43-year-old Nicolas Campos, of Ft. Meade solicited an undercover PCSO detective to perform a lewd act at Lions Park. Campos was arrested for one count of Solicitation to Commit Lewd Act, and issued a trespass from all Polk County Parks for 10 years. He told detectives he has never done anything like this and was going to “have fun.” He does not have any prior arrests in Polk County.
58‑year‑old Sean Scarbro, of Lakeland, spoke with an undercover detective at Saddle Creek Park. During the conversation, the detective noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from Scarbro’s vehicle. After identifying himself, the detective asked Scarbro if he possessed a medical marijuana card, to which Scarbro said he did not. Scarbro admitted to recently smoking marijuana, and a plastic baggie containing marijuana was located inside his vehicle. He was arrested for Possession of Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
