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 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.

Jun 9, 2021

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

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

On Tuesday, June 8, 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 Guy Wellington Rindge of Lakeland was arrested at Saddle Creek Park after he propositioned an undercover male detective to engage in a lewd act while exposing himself and masturbating. Rindge was charged with Indecent Exposure (M1), Committing a Lewd Act (M2) and Offer/Agree to Commit a Lewd Act (M-2). He was released from jail after posting a $1250.00 bond.

82-year-old James Haskiell of Haines City was arrested at the Lake Fannie Boat Ramp. Haskiell propositioned the undercover male detective to engage in a lewd act while exposing himself masturbating. Haskiell was charged with Indecent Exposure (M1), Committing a Lewd Act (M2) and Offer/Agree to Commit a Lewd Act (M-2). He is currently in the Polk County Jail and has a $1250.00 bond. He was arrested at the same location in 2004 for the same crime.

"Polk County parks are places where families and children can enjoy the outdoors - they should never have to encounter disgusting acts like these. We will continue to patrol our public parks and to arrest people who publicly engage in lewd activity."- Grady Judd, Sheriff