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 Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. 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.
Sep 30, 2024
Former Polk deputy arrested for exposure of sexual organs
Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, Administrator
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged Rodney Isaiah Williams, III, a 20-year-old deputy sheriff who resigned immediately upon his arrest, with one count unlawful exposure of sexual organs, on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Had he not resigned, he would have been terminated.
Williams was observed completely nude and then masturbating in full view of a camera. The crime occurred at an apartment complex in Davenport, in an open landing area shared with multiple other apartments. Deputies responded and interviewed Williams, who admitted to stepping outside of his apartment and masturbating “for the thrill” and then stated that he “did something stupid.” He was off-duty at the time.
“This vulgar and indecent behavior by one of our now former agency members is completely unacceptable, not to mention illegal. We will never tolerate such immoral and illegal conduct. That is why he was promptly arrested.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Williams was hired as a deputy sheriff in November 2023. He was booked in during the early morning hours of Sunday, September 29th, and is being held on $1,000 bond.