News and Investigations

On September 13, 2018, PCSO undercover detectives conducted an investigation at Saddle Creek Park and Gator Creek Reserve Park in Lakeland.
 
During the investigation, detectives made four arrests for sex related crimes inside Saddle Creek Park.
 
Arrested were: 51-year-old Edward Eastman, of Lakeland, after he solicited an undercover officer and exposed himself. He has been charged with exposure of a sex organ and simple battery. Eastman was booked into the Polk County jail on a $1,000 bond.
 
45-year-old Sylvester Johnson Junior, of Lakeland, was also taken into custody after he exposed himself to an undercover officer.  Johnson was booked into the jail on a $500 bond.
 
Detectives charged 54-year-old Kevin Campbell, of Lakeland, with soliciting a lewd act to an undercover officer on a trail in the park. He was booked in jail on a $250 bond.
 
And detectives arrested and charged 71-year-old Philip Cook, of Davenport, with offering to commit lewdness and simple battery on an undercover officer after he solicited and grabbed a detective. He was booked in jail on a $750 bond.
 
"We will not put up with this kind of criminal activity in our parks-our families and visitors have a right to enjoy these beautiful public spaces without worrying about this kind of stuff going on. We will continue to conduct investigations such as these in order to preserve our parks as fun and wholesome places that enhance our great quality of life in Polk County." - Grady Judd, Sheriff 
 
Each suspect was given a trespass warning for all public parks.