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.

Jul 9, 2025

Frostproof man arrested for beating a man with a baseball bat

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

On Tuesday evening, July 8, 2025 PCSO deputies were dispatched to a residence on 16th Street NE in Winter Haven in response to a reported armed disturbance.

Upon their arrival, the deputies made contact with an adult male who was bleeding profusely from the side of his head.

Deputies also encountered 43-year old Ian Seth Sumner of Frostproof, who was armed with an aluminum baseball bat.

Sumner was quickly detained and the victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of a laceration on his head.

The investigation determined that Sumner went to the residence where the victim was, entered the home without permission, and hit the victim multiple times with the baseball bat.

The motive for the attack appeared to be jealousy over a woman.

Sumner refused to speak to deputies about the matter, and he was arrested and charged with: Armed Burglary and Aggravated Battery.