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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 Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. 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.
Mar 7, 2017
PCSO Agricultural crimes deputies discover rooster fighting operation
Media Contact: Michele Cash, PIO
On Monday, March 6, 2017, PCSO deputies discovered a rooster fighting operation in Lakeland and arrested the suspect, 41-year-old, Gilberto Montero, for possession of animal fighting and baiting paraphernalia (F-3), and tampering with physical evidence (F-3).
According to the affidavit, deputies responded to home at 7908 Walt Williams Road in Lakeland in reference to a noise complaint involving roosters. Deputies observed roosters in pens and a round ring covered with carpet. Montero was in the process of dismantling the fighting ring and attempting to hide it inside the garage when deputies arrived.
Deputies searched the home and located inside the refrigerator bottles of Gallomin (vitamins for rooster), Supertrom (B-12 vitamins for boosting the birds overall health and stamina), Forty Gallo (an iron supplement for boosting the roosters stamina), and a bottle of prescribed medication from a veterinarian in the Dominican Republic for Rapidita (a vitamin given to roosters before they fight to keep the bird from stressing).
The roosters on scene were manicured in a way indicative for fighting roosters with their spurs trimmed, combs cut, and feathers removed. The roosters were also singled out in their own pens. These roosters were surrendered to the PCSO Animal Control section.
Montero was transported and booked into the Polk County Jail and bond is set at $2,000.