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 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.