News and Investigations

Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 16 Polk County residents on curfew violation charges on Wednesday, September 13, 2017. The curfew order, requested by the Emergency Management Director and Sheriff, imposed a 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew on September 11, 2017.  

"The curfew is in effect to deter crimes of opportunity, such as looting,and to provide safety for citizens in damaged areas. We want everyone to be safe now that the hurricane has passed. We will actively enforce the curfew. Be safe everyone!" - Grady Judd, Sheriff

These individuals have been arrested and charged with curfew violation during a state of emergency and transported to the Polk County Jail.

Those arrested are:

25-year-old Corbin Schmidt, was driving his vehicle near the intersection of Recker Highway and Avenue G NW in Winter Haven around 2:58 a.m. During the traffic stop deputies discovered drugs in Schmidt's car. He was also charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, storing drugs in a vehicle. 

27-year-old Jordan Matthews, of Eagle Lake was a passenger in Corbin Schmidt's car during the time of the arrest. He was also charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

35-year-old Dametris Brown, of Winter Haven was riding his bicycle on 37^th street in Winter Haven around 1:49 a.m. He told deputies he wasn't aware of the curfew.

23-year-old Elliot Anderson, of Auburndale was riding his bicycle and pushing another bicycle on 35^th Street Northwest in Winter Haven around 2:30 a.m. He told deputies it was his father's bicycle who was arrested by PCSO earlier in the day.

22-year-old Ryan Givens, of Mulberry was walking on Church Ave. in Lakeland around 2:19 a.m. He told deputies he wasn't aware of the curfew.

20-year-old Shelby Tejera, of Mulberry was walking on Church Ave. in Lakeland around 2:19 a.m. with Ryan Givens. She told deputies she wasn't aware of the curfew.

56-year-old Donald Smith, of Lakeland was driving on Griffin Ave. in Lakeland around 12:13 a.m. Smith has a warrant for his arrest for not paying child support. He was also charged with possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

19-year-old Byron Newmans, of Lakeland was walking on Combee Road in Lakeland around 1:05 a.m. He told deputies he does not have a job and was walking around looking for a place to hang out. He is also on Juvenile probation for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was also charged with VOP.

33-year-old Matthew Alderman, of Lakeland was walking on Combee Road in Lakeland around 1:05 a.m. He told deputies he was in an argument with his wife and left his home.

34-year-old Eric Tanner, of Mulberry was driving in the area of Hwy 60 W. and Willow Oak Road in Mulberry around 1:05 a.m.

28-year-old Joshua Walker, of Mulberry was driving in the passenger seat of Eric Tanner's car during the time of his arrest. He was also charged with possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of felony probation.

45-year-old Tammy Perkins, of Lakeland was walking at the intersection of Hwy 92 E. and Combee Road N. in Lakeland around 3:31 a.m. Perkins tried to walk away from the deputies and while she was under arrest she continued to resist. She was also charged with resisting arrest without violence.

47-year-old Larry Roberts, of Lakeland was driving his vehicle into the Dollar General parking lot in Lakeland around 12:35 a.m. He told deputies that he was looking for his sim card for his cell phone and was aware of the curfew.

34-year-old Chad Hall, of Mulberry was riding his bicycle on N. Church Ave. in Mulberry around 2:43 a.m. He told deputies that he was heading home which was south of where he was stopped.

29-year-old Raymond Davis, of Lakeland was walking north on Reynolds Road in Mulberry around 3:00 a.m. He told deputies he was aware of the curfew. He also has two PCSO active warrants for his arrest.

29-year-old Mark Crooks, of Lakeland was walking on Peachtree Street behind the closed business that faces U.S. 92 E. in Lakeland around 3:07 a.m. He told deputies that he was unaware of the curfew. During his arrest, he started to resist and once he was placed inside the patrol vehicle he started banging on the windows. The deputy requested assistance and when the second deputy arrived he indicated that he already stopped Crooks and gave him a warning. Crooks admitted to being warned about the curfew by a deputy earlier in the night.

The curfew will be in effect until repealed by subsequent order of the County Manager or his designee. Please see the Polk County Emergency Declaration Order below for additional information.