News and Investigations

Based on consumer complaints received from shoppers at the International Market World Flea Market near Auburndale, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives began an investigation related to the sale of electronic devices marketed as a way to steal internet communications services using “jail broken” Amazon Fire TV Sticks.

On December 19, 2020, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations detectives arrested four individuals at the International Market World Flea Market (1052 US Hwy 92 West, Auburndale) for selling “jail broken” Amazon Fire Sticks.

“Jail broken” refers to modifying an electronic device with added software and plugins in such a way that it allows the user to view movies and TV shows (internet-based digital content) they would have had to pay for. Essentially, the devises allow people to steal internet communications services.

PCSO detectives discovered “jail broken” Fire Sticks were being sold at the International Market World Flea Market that would allow access to internet based streaming services for “free” and without expressed authorization of the communications service provider and without payment for the services. 

Click here to see video of the undercover sales.

“Just as retail crime affects the consumer by driving up the cost of goods, stealing content from internet streaming companies drives up the cost of those services, negatively impacting the consumer’s wallet. Consumers beware, there really is not an honest way to get ‘something for nothing.’” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Those arrested worked in individual booths and are as follows (in alphabetical order):

Lorinda Marlene Holm, 71, from Lakeland sold two illegal Fire Sticks to undercover detectives at the cost of $107 each. Holm told detectives that she “jail breaks” the devices herself and even “jail breaks” regular Fire Sticks customers may bring her. She also provided a live tutorial of how the unauthorized Fire Sticks operate. Holm is charged with Advertise to Promote the Sale of Intercept Device (F3).

Bongwoo Roe, 88, from Lakeland sold three illegal Fire Sticks to undercover detectives (2 at the cost of $85 each, one for $90). Roe also provided the detectives with a live tutorial of how the unauthorized Fire Sticks operate. Roe is not “jail breaking” the devices himself. He is charged with Advertise to Promote the Sale of Intercept Device (F3).

Luis Gabriel Vazquez, 34, from Lakeland sold three illegal Fire Sticks to undercover detectives for $80 each. During the purchase, Vazquez told detectives he “jail breaks” the devices himself, and provided the detectives a tutorial of how the unauthorized Fire Sticks operate.  He is charged with Advertise to Promote the Sale of Intercept Device (F3). Vazquez’s criminal history includes Battery, Giving a False Name to a Law Enforcement Officer, Driving on a Suspended Driver’s License, and a Failure to Appear. 

Grace Yarbrough, 59, from Lakeland sold three illegal Fire Sticks to undercover detectives for $100 each. Yarbrough told detectives that she “jail breaks” the Fire Sticks herself, and provided the detectives a tutorial of how the unauthorized Fire Sticks operate. She is charged with Advertise to Promote the Sale of Intercept Device (F3).

All four suspects were released from the Polk County Jail after posting $1,000 bond each.

The following is an excerpt from Florida Statutes regarding deriving proceeds from selling a device to steal a communications service. The charges are based on violation of F.S.S 812.15 (3)(b) and F.S.S 812.15(2)(a).

Chapter 812 Theft, Robbery, and Related Crimes
812.15 Unauthorized reception of communications services; penalties.—
…
2. The sale, transfer, license, distribution, deployment, lease, manufacture, development, or assembly of a communications device for the purpose of defeating or circumventing any effective technology, device, or software, or any component or part thereof, used by a cable operator or other communications service provider to protect any communications service from unauthorized receipt, acquisition, interception, disruption, access, decryption, transmission, or retransmission.
(b) Any person who willfully violates this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(3)(a) Any person who willfully violates paragraph (2)(a), paragraph (4)(a), or subsection (5) and who has been previously convicted of any such provision commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(b) Any person who willfully and for purposes of direct or indirect commercial advantage or private financial gain violates paragraph (2)(a), paragraph (4)(a), or subsection (5) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(4)(a) Any person who intentionally possesses a communications device, knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of committing, or assisting others in committing, a violation of paragraph (2)(a) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(b) Any person who intentionally possesses five or more communications devices and knows or has reason to know that the design of such devices renders them primarily useful for committing, or assisting others in committing, a violation of paragraph (2)(a) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(c) Any person who intentionally possesses fifty or more communications devices and knows or has reason to know that the design of such devices renders them primarily useful for committing,
or assisting others in committing, a violation of paragraph (2)(a) commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(5) It is unlawful for any person to place in any newspaper, magazine, handbill, or other publication, including any electronic medium, any advertisement that, in whole or in part, promotes the sale of a communications device if the person placing the advertisement knows or has reason to know that the device is designed to be primarily useful for committing, or assisting others in committing, a violation of paragraph (2)(a). Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.