A teen accused of killing his mom in Florida was once charged in Oklahoma in his dad's death
A teenager who is accused of stabbing his mother to death in Florida was freed last year after charges were dropped in the fatal shooting of his father in Oklahoma.
‘I see a psychopath:’ Teen accused of stabbing, killing mother in Polk County after killing father, sheriff says
A 17-year-old boy is accused of stabbing and killing his mother months after he shot and killed his father, according to the Polk County sheriff.
Sheriff Judd discusses arrest of Polk County attorney accused of grand theft
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference on Thursday to discuss the arrest of an attorney who’s accused of grand theft.
Florida governor says he ‘never saw’ controversial state parks proposal, claims ‘left-wing group’ leaked info
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has distanced himself from a controversial state-level proposal to make such changes to some state parks as adding golf, pickleball and lodging.
3 arrested in Polk County, accused of operating ‘mobile marijuana dispensary’
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference Friday morning to discuss the arrests of three people accused of operating a “mobile marijuana dispensary.”
‘Professional burglars:’ Suspects in $1.7M theft ring came to US illegally, Florida sheriff says
Officials said all of the suspects were in the U.S. illegally, targeting homes that belonged to small business owners.
Man shot, killed in front of family by Polk deputy he rammed with car, tried to attack, sheriff says
A confrontation between a suspect and a Polk County deputy ended in the suspect’s death and left the deputy in the hospital, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.
‘A family affair:’ 64 arrested as Polk sheriff’s office paralyzes Lakeland-based drug ring
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference to discuss “Operation Rooske,” a three-year investigation into a Lakeland-based drug ring that recently culminated with its leading members named among 64 arrests.
Lake Wales woman runs over man, baby with her car during argument, deputies say
A Lake Wales woman was arrested after running over a man, who was carrying a baby, with her car during an argument, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Florida deputy accused of showing up to work after drinking ‘coffee mugs of whiskey’
Everett admitted to drinking around three “coffee mugs of whiskey” the night prior, according to the sheriff's office.
Haines City officer shoots boy, 17, who reached for gun after pursuit in stolen vehicle, officials say
A 17-year-old boy who allegedly reached for a gun in a stolen vehicle Friday night is in critical condition after being shot by a Haines City police officer, according to the city’s police chief and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
What is a sovereign citizen? A look at antigovernment belief that has led to violence
A man killed Saturday in a shootout with Polk County sheriff's deputies was identified as a member of the sovereign citizen movement by Sheriff Grady Judd.
‘Extremist’ sovereign citizen ID’d after deadly Polk County shootout with deputies
Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference on afternoon to discuss a weekend shooting in which a “sovereign citizen” shot two deputies and then was killed when backup deputies returned fire.
Sovereign citizen dies in gunfight after shooting 2 Polk County deputies, sheriff says
Two Polk County deputies are in the ICU after being shot early Saturday by a man who Sheriff Grady Judd said was a sovereign citizen that was killed when backup deputies returned fire.
Polk County sheriff announces agency’s largest-ever seizure of fentanyl; 4 arrested, 1 wanted
According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation involved a trafficking ring bringing fentanyl from Mexico into Polk County and other parts of Florida.
Pre-med student accused of stabbing mother to death in Polk County
A pre-med student at the University of Florida is accused of stabbing his mother to death on Saturday afternoon, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Military servicemembers, coaches, teacher among 228 arrested in human trafficking stings, Polk County sheriff says
Among those arrested were coaches, military servicemembers and a school teacher, along with several other professions, deputies announced.
Winter Park man arrested in connection with Poinciana homicide, Polk sheriff says
Winter Park police on Tuesday captured a man accused of killing someone last week in Poinciana, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Wanted man arrested, accused in fatal shooting of 36-year old man
A wanted man out of Polk County was taken into custody on Tuesday following a fatal shooting out of Poinciana last week, according to the sheriff’s office.
‘Too hot to handle:’ Suspect in missing woman’s death caught after going on the run
While they were searching, detectives spotted Martinez “casually walking” on a sidewalk north of Eagle Lake, Judd explained.
Man wanted after missing Polk County woman was murdered, sheriff says
As part of the case, the sheriff’s office began searching for Hernandez’s vehicle, and it was ultimately determined that she had been murdered, Judd said.
11 people face charges in 2 separate Polk County drug trafficking busts, sheriff says
Nearly a dozen people were arrested as part of a multi-agency investigation into two separate drug trafficking organizations, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Cats, chickens, ducks, peacock among 309 animals found at teacher’s ‘hoarder’ home in Polk County
In a release, deputies said that the animal cruelty investigation involved a mobile home in Frostproof.
Davenport man killed while trying to rob drug deal with fake firearm
According to the sheriff, Cruz started hitting MacDonald with an apparent firearm, which later turned out to be a fake gun made from a screwdriver and a piece of wood.
Gang member accused in Polk drive-by shooting, linked to Publix stabbing, deputies say
Daquan Carey faces a charge of attempted murder after deputies said he shot at the man who stabbed his friend in a Publix last month.
Florida teacher accused of hiding and grooming missing 15-year-old girl on felony probation
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference Thursday afternoon to discuss the arrest of a private school teacher accused of illegal conduct with a 15-year-old girl.
Your Florida Daily: Undercover drug operation seizes 10 kilos of fentanyl, dog-friendly beach opens in Ormond Beach
A carjacking in Duval County leads to a high-speed chase and ends with the driver dead.
Man accuses Polk deputy of making false child-porn arrest after asking to call lawyer
The lawsuit claims that during a 2020 child pornography investigation, a Polk County man was falsely arrested after asking to speak to a lawyer.
Your Florida Daily: Pastor’s son found dead in church parking lot, Volusia affordable housing situation
The son of a Polk County pastor was found dead and his killer was arrested, but detectives are working to figure out the motive.
‘Motive unknown’: 1 arrested after Florida pastor’s son murdered in church parking lot
Taquion Cotton put a woman into a chokehold while fleeing from investigators, prompting Cotton's mother to come to the woman's aid, according to the sheriff's office.
Arrest made in road rage shooting on I-4 ramp that killed Altamonte Springs man
An arrest has been made in a deadly road rage shooting on an I-4 off-ramp that killed an Altamonte Springs man, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
A Florida death row inmate convicted of killing a deputy and 2 others dies in prison, officials say
Officials say a Florida death row inmate convicted of killing a deputy and two other people more than 40 years ago has died in prison.
Arrest made after child riding bicycle struck, killed in Polk County hit-and-run crash
After Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called for the arrest of a driver who struck and killed a 9-year-old boy on Friday, the suspect reportedly turned himself over that night.
Your Florida Daily: Polk County sting nets 219, Disney faces ‘wedgie’ lawsuit from guest
A Florida teacher and Disney employees are among 219 people arrested in a human trafficking sting by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Former Polk deputy accused in DUI crash that left woman with brain injury
He had been driving near the Winter Haven airport when he lost control of the motorcycle, causing both himself and a woman to be ejected, deputies said.
4 arrested after 15-year-old boy found dead in Polk County driveway
Four people were arrested after a 15-year-old boy was found dead in a Polk County driveway last week, according to sheriff’s officials, in a case involving drugs and an illegal gun sale.
Sheriff seeks more victims after coach at Florida high school accused of raping student
A now-former high school track coach in Polk County with an alleged history of attempts to sexually batter his students was arrested Thursday in what Sheriff Grady Judd called a remarkably disturbing case.
‘Suicide by cop:’ Man with knife shot dead by Polk deputy, Auburndale officers, sheriff says
A man with a knife who allegedly jumped from bushes at law enforcement in an Auburndale neighborhood Tuesday evening was shot and killed by two officers and a Polk County deputy, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.
Your Florida Daily: Deadly rip currents caused by Hurricane Lee, stolen excavator taken for a joyride
Hurricane Lee is causing dangerous rip currents along the east coast and officials in Volusia County say at least one person has drowned.
Melbourne man killed in hit-and-run while trying to help crash victims, Polk sheriff says
A Melbourne man was killed in a hit-and-run crash Monday morning while he was attempting to help the victims of another wreck in Polk County, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.
Man shot to death, woman injured during 1-year-old’s birthday party at Florida Airbnb, deputies say
A man was killed and a woman was injured in a shooting at an Airbnb rental in Polk County, according to sheriff’s officials.
Your Florida Daily: Dad accused using power tool to kill son, power restored to 96% of customers after Idalia
A man is accused of using a power tool to kill his 16-year-old son, and Polk County deputies are working to figure out why.
Woman kills her 2 children, herself in apparent Polk County murder-suicide, deputies say
A Polk County mother killed her two children and herself in an apparent murder-suicide, according to deputies.
‘Rotting in the bed:’ Florida parents accused of neglecting comatose 3-year-old to death
A man and woman in Polk County were arrested earlier this month after their 3-year-old child was found in “bone-chilling” condition, according to the sheriff’s office.
13-year-old shoots Florida police officer during gun battle, officials say
Officials say a 13-year-old exchanged gunfire with police after a chase through a Florida neighborhood and was taken to the hospital after being shot at himself.
‘Wrong place at the wrong time:’ 2 arrested in Polk County fatal shooting of dirt biker, sheriff says
Two people were arrested after a man was fatally shot in March while riding a dirt bike one of the suspects paid for and decided not to buy, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a Tuesday news briefing.
Bodies of missing boaters found in Lake Eloise, Sheriff Grady Judd says
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Sunday held a news conference to provide new details in the search for two men who went missing on Lake Eloise the day prior and are presumed dead, as well as the circumstances that led to their disappearance.
WATCH LIVE: NTSB to provide briefing on mid-air crash that killed 4 over Florida lake
Four people died after two small planes collided in the air Tuesday and crashed into Lake Hartridge in Winter Haven, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
19-year-old arrested after fatally shooting Lakeland man, making rap video about it, sheriff says
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference Thursday morning concerning the arrest of a 19-year-old man in a fatal gang-related shooting that occurred last year in Lakeland.
Polk County Bible studies teacher arrested after forcing himself on student, deputies say
A teacher’s assistant at a Polk County Christian school was arrested after allegedly assaulting a student last week.
Teen among 4 arrests made in Lakeland drive-by shooting that injured 11, investigators say
Officials of all levels of government gathered Wednesday in Polk County to announce federal charges related to a drive-by shooting that injured 11 people late last month in Lakeland.
Suspect in Lakeland shooting that injured 11 dies after police pursuit, Polk sheriff says
A man who died after being shot by police in Polk County on Monday is believed to be involved in a drive-by shooting that injured 11 last week, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
‘Strong little girl:’ Newborn found abandoned in cold outdoors, Polk sheriff says
Polk County deputies responding early Saturday to a report of a crying baby near Mulberry found an abandoned newborn who medics estimated to be just an hour old, according to a news release.
Polk sheriff speaks out after New Year begins with blundered burglary, 2 drive-by shootings
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Wednesday held a news conference to wish a happy New Year to listeners and “a sad New Year for some shooting suspects,” referencing two drive-by shootings reported in his jurisdiction since 2023 began, as well as a burglary involving a man who Judd described as “the dumbest person on the face of the Earth.”
Business partners from Kissimmee shoot, kill each other in Lakeland, sheriff’s office says
Two business partners are dead after a dispute led to the men shooting each other, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
43-year-old Lakeland man struck, killed in hit-and-run crash on U.S. Route 98, sheriff says
A 43-year-old man from Lakeland died Saturday after he was struck while walking along U.S. Route 98 in a hit-and-run crash, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
State Road 60 reopened in Polk County after fatal crash shut down lanes
A fatal crash involving a car and a motorcycle Saturday morning forced the closure of a stretch of State Road 60 near Lake Wales, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Arson suspect shot by deputies, captured after chase on I-4 in Polk and Hillsborough counties, sheriff says
A 30-year old Lakeland man faces multiple charges after he attempted to start a house fire in Lakeland and then led deputies on a chase that made its way onto Interstate 4, closing parts of the highway on Sunday, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Polk County deputy shot in chest saved by bulletproof vest; man arrested, officials say
A man was arrested after shooting a Polk County deputy in the chest in Davenport, according to the sheriff's office.
Gunshot that killed 21-year-old Polk deputy was fired by fellow deputies, sheriff says
A 21-year-old deputy was fatally struck by a bullet fired by fellow deputies while serving a felony warrant, according to the Polk County sheriff.
Georgia deputy police chief arrested for soliciting a prostitute in Polk County, deputies say
A deputy police chief from the Cartersville Police Department in Georgia was arrested in Polk County for soliciting a prostitute, according to investigators.
85 arrested in international drug ring operating out of Polk County, sheriff says
A multi-agency investigation uncovered an international smuggling operation out of Winter Haven that brought drugs into Central Florida, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Polk County deputies investigate hit-and-run crash that seriously injured 67-year-old motorcyclist
Deputies are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a crash Sunday night seriously injured a 67-year-old motorcyclist in Winter Haven.
FWC civilian employee arrested for retail theft, Polk deputies say
A civilian budget analyst for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was arrested after committing retail theft at a Walmart on Wednesday, according to Polk County deputies.
Disney employee among 12 accused child sex predators arrested, Polk sheriff says
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrests of 12 men accused of soliciting children online for sex, including a Disney employee and a man who rode his bike 10 miles in an attempt to meet a child.
Deputy-involved shooting at Lakeland mobile-home park kills one, sheriff says
A Lakeland man threatened to kill both himself and deputies in Lakeland, leading to an officer-involved shooting that resulted in his death, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
WATCH: ‘McMad’ woman throws tantrum, calls 911 over wrong order, sheriff says
A Polk County woman threw a tantrum and dialed 911 over a wrong order at a Lakeland McDonalds, which led to her committing a burglary and assaulting employees, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.