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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.
Jul 6, 2016
PCSO Detectives Charge Lakeland Woman with Fraud and Grand Theft
Media Contact: Donna Wood, PIO
“We do not tolerate theft – it’s a crime and thieves will go to jail. But this was more than just stealing. This was stealing money from an organization specifically created to enhance the lives of children. This was an unconscionable act committed selfishly and deliberately with the full knowledge that innocent children would be affected.” - Sheriff Grady Judd
On Wednesday, July 6, 2016, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Fraud detectives arrested 45-year-old Heather Debellis of Lakeland, charging her with Scheme to Defraud, Grand Theft, Criminal Use of Person ID, 7 counts of Forgery, and 7 counts of Uttering a Forged Instrument. Over the course of 11 months, Debellis systematically stole over $11,000 from the George Jenkins High School Choral Booster Club.
Debellis served as the treasurer of the Booster Club and had possession of the club’s checkbook attached to a Magnify Credit Union account. Her signature as treasurer, and that of the club’s president, were required to appear on checks.
Between May 2015 and April 2016, Debellis cashed checks, written to Debellis and her 72- year-old mother, forging the club’s president’s name. Debellis’ mother did not receive any of the stolen funds.
Debellis’ admitted to writing all of the checks. She also told detectives her mother never knew about any of the checks and that she, Debellis, had deposited all of the checks into her own personal bank account.
Debellis was transported to the Polk County Jail without incident.