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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 Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. 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.

Apr 29, 2022

Polk County Sheriff’s Office volunteer arrested for trafficking Oxycodone pills

Media Contact: Scott Wilder, Director

PCSO deputies arrested 69-year-old David Roberts, Lake Wales, a Polk CountyDavid Roberts Sheriff’s Office volunteer (Volunteer Sheriff’s Service Officer), for drug trafficking charges (selling Oxycodone pills) and weapons charges yesterday, April 29, 2022. Roberts was charged with: Possession of a vehicle used to traffic drugs, possess of narcotic paraphernalia, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, unlawful use of a 2-way communication device, possession of cannabis over 20 grams, trafficking in Oxycodone 25 grams or more, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

Deputies received a tip earlier this month that Roberts receives a monthly prescription for 90 Oxycodone pills (10 mg) that he sells to others and that Roberts was seen carrying large amounts of cash. Undercover detectives contacted Roberts and asked to purchase Oxycodone. Roberts agreed and a meeting was set up yesterday at a convenience store in the Lake Wales area to conduct the transaction. U/C detectives agreed to purchase 90 Oxycodone pills from Roberts. 

After the drug transaction, Roberts drove to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Southeast Command Center where he was taken into custody. The money for the drug transaction was located in his from pocket. Deputies then went to Roberts’ residence and located a .22 rifle, a handgun, ammunition, a prescription pill bottle for 90 Oxycodone pills, and a large mason jar full of a green leafy substance that tested positive for cannabis (25.02 grams). Roberts told deputies he does not have a medical marijuana card. Roberts has a 1971 conviction for burglary (a felony).

Roberts became a PCSO volunteer in October of 2009. He has served as a volunteer Sheriff’s Service Officer out of the Southeast district office. VSSOs are civilian volunteer members and do not have law enforcement authority, assist with directing traffic, conducting neighborhood canvassing, documenting minor crashes, etc.