Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200
If in an emergency Dial 911
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.
Aug 22, 2025
Man in the United States illegally arrested for staying in a residence illegally
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
A Mexican national has been arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after he was found living in a home in Eloise without permission, and he had even reconnected electrical service to the home illegally.
29-year old Christian Javier Almanza Rosales, who is in the United States illegally, was taken into custody Thursday, August 21, 2025, and charged with: Burglary of a Dwelling (F1), Theft of Utility Services (F3), Possession of Methamphetamine (F3), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1). Each of Rosales’ charges have been enhanced to the next higher degree, due to his illegal presence in the country.
Deputies were dispatched to an unoccupied residence on 1st Street West in Eloise, after a property manager reported an unknown man’s presence in the home without permission.
Detectives found that Rosales had unlawfully reconnected the electrical service to the home, and he was powering the lights and air conditioning with the stolen electricity.
Drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine were also found inside the home, and Rosales admitted that it belonged to him.
“Christian Rosales was basically living in a home illegally while living in the United States illegally. We took him out of the house, and ICE will be taking him out of the country in the near future.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Detectives said that Rosales came to Polk County about three years ago from North Carolina, and he’s been in the United States for approximately five years.