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 Meghan Petty. 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.

Apr 10, 2025

Lakeland man with lengthy criminal history arrested again

A Lakeland man with a lengthy criminal history has found himself locked up again in the Polk County Jail.

41-year old Christopher William Sodt was arrested Wednesday evening, April 9, 2025 after fleeing on a bicycle from a traffic stop.

At around 8:51pm, a PCSO deputy attempted to stop Sodt for a traffic offense at West Parker Street and Grady Lane in Lakeland. Sodt pedaled faster, and then ditched the bike in an effort to run from the deputy.

Sodt was caught, but got away by kicking the deputy. This second attempt to get away also failed, as deputies caught up to Sodt rather quickly.

Sodt was arrested and taken to the jail where he was charged with fleeing to elude, battery on LEO, resisting with violence, and resisting without violence. Additional charges are possible.

Christopher William Sodt has been to prison three times, spending a total of 11.5 years there. His criminal history includes arrests for: burglary, vehicle theft, trafficking in stolen property, retail theft, counterfeiting, fraud, and narcotics.