Click Here for ADA Accessible Format

Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200

If in an emergency Dial 911

Polk County Sheriff Facebook Polk County Sheriff Twitter Polk County Sheriff Instagram Polk County Sheriff Youtube Polk County Sheriff Twitter

Hit enter to search or ESC to close

Jul 3, 2025

Illegal immigrant from Mexico charged with attempted murder

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

Joking around between two Lakeland roommates ended with one of the men getting cut by a broken beer bottle and the other getting arrested for attempted murder.

Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to the hospital where the victim was being treated for his wound. The laceration to his neck was only an inch away from his carotid artery. 

According to the victim, the two men were drinking beer and playing around, when the suspect got angry. The suspect then reportedly cut the victim. 

A neighbor drove the victim to the hospital.

Deputies located the suspect at the shared residence on New Tampa Highway in west-Lakeland. He was identified as 30-year old Jose Munoz of Mexico.

During an interview with detectives, Munoz admitted to cutting his roommate. He said that his roommate initially threw the bottle at him, and he cut the man because he was walking toward him. Munoz confirmed that the victim was not armed with a weapon when he cut him. 

Jose Munoz resisted deputies' efforts to secure him as he was arrested. He was taken to the Polk County Jail and charged with: Attempted 2nd Degree Murder (F1) and Resisting without Violence (M1). Due to Munoz being in the United States illegally, both charges are enhanced. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was notified, and a HOLD has been placed on Jose Munoz.