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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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.

May 22, 2026

Operation Pop-Top: 10 stores checked, two failed

Media Contact: Juliana Rivera, PIO

Operation Pop Top Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office continued their Operation Pop-Top checks on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, as they visited 10 convenience stores, ensuring that the stores are compliant with the state alcohol sales law.

The deputies were assisted by a 15-year old high school student who is a member of the PCSO's Cadet 1000 program.

The student attempted to purchase an alcoholic beverage at each of the 10 stores, and was successful in doing so at the 7-Eleven at Champions Gate in Davenport and the 7-Eleven at Ronald Reagan Pkwy in Davenport.

Both clerks, Alexis Hillengas, 30, of Clermont, and George Lebron, 21, of Davenport were arrested and charged with selling an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 years of age (a misdemeanor).

“Keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors is everyone’s responsibility. When clerks ignore the law, they endanger our kids and our community. We will continue these operations to make sure businesses are doing what’s right” - Grady Judd, Sheriff