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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 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.
Sep 5, 2018
Illegal immigrant arrested for sexually battering an 8-year-old-child
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
On Friday, August 31, 2018, the Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested 29-year-old Wilibaldo Salinas Garcia, who is illegally in the country from Mexico, for violently sexually battering an 8–year-old child in Haines City.
The investigation began on August 24, 2018, when the 8-year-old child told her mother that Garcia entered her bedroom during the nighttime hours and sexually battered her.
Detectives have audio and text messaging evidence where the girl’s mother confronted Garcia about Garcia sexually battering her daughter. During those conversations Garcia told the mother repeatedly that he was sorry, and he promised it would never happen again and he would tell her (the 8-year-old child victim) that he was sorry.
“This is the second time in three weeks in Polk County that a man who was in this country illegally has sexually battered a child. This sexual predator is going to be held accountable for violating this innocent child. And after that, he needs to be deported and never allowed to re-enter this country.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Wilibaldo Salina Garcia has an alias of Lorenzo Sipriano. His prior criminal history consists of three misdemeanor charges (Resisting, Loitering, and Marijuana Possession).
He is in the United States illegally from Mexico. A hold has been placed on Garcia by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He is being held at the Polk County Jail on no bond.
Garcia has been charged with sexual battery on a child under 12 years of age.
Wilibaldo Salinas Garcia (AKA- Lorenzo Sipriano)