A Lakeland middle school teacher was arrested at his Winter Haven home Tuesday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student. The 28-year-old man is a media teacher at Southwest Middle School in Lakeland. Police claim he forced himself on the girl while he supervised her community service at the school…
A ring of 74 suspected drug dealers allegedly infiltrating Lake County with cocaine, heroin and prescription pills have been charged with various drug-related charges. These arrests come after a four-month undercover investigation where the Lake County Sheriff’s Office claims the members of the drug ring were caught red handed. The…
A Plant City youth group volunteer is facing child pornography charges. Polk deputies arrested the 28-year-old man at his Lakeland home. According to the sheriff’s office, members at the church came forward after they found explicit images on a shared computer and became concerned. Deputies claim the man works with…
The local chair of American Civil Liberties Union is calling for a federal review of Central Florida’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Ret. Army Col. Mike Pheneger, the chair of the Greater Tampa Chapter of the ACLU, said there are many problems with these “To Catch a Predator”-style undercover…
Several law enforcement agencies from the federal, state and county level have joined forces with the hopes of catching alleged sexual predators. While the operation spans across nine counties, including Polk, Pinellas and Sarasota counties, the message is the same: “We’re going to get you.” The message was made loud…
Florida will have 159 new laws starting Tuesday that address various issues, including college tuition, corporate tax credits, abortions and sex offenders. One of the most prevalent laws is one that aims to protect children and others from dangerous sex offenders. The laws are intended to keep the most violent…
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested nine people and seized almost 100 pounds of marijuana in a large-scale marijuana operation, according to reports. Two different marijuana grow houses were broken up, including one operated by a 40-year-old Lake Wales man. The man is allegedly responsible for six grow houses in…
A former Orlando police officer and Polk County School Board volunteer were among 98 arrested for prostitution and human trafficking during a four day undercover investigation conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The four day sting operation started Thursday and finished Sunday. Detectives focused on websites that advertise prostitution.…
On Wednesday, New Hampshire’s highest court ruled that the state infringed the free speech rights of a man who wished to have “COPSLIE” on his license plate. The state Supreme Court agreed with the arguments of the man in a unanimous decision. The man said he wanted the vanity plate…
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and undercover detectives conducted a three day county-wide proactive initiative that focused on repeat offenders, drug offenders, offenders on probation and followed up on crime tips and crime trends. After the three day operation, 101 suspects were arrested and 15 search warrants were served. Of those detained,…