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.

Dec 11, 2025

PCSO detectives arrest local man who is awaiting trial for the shooting death of his girlfriend and unborn child in Leon County

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey

Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a man who was out on bond from Leon County for the shooting death of his girlfriend and her unborn child back in 2024.

23-year old Jha'Kari Martin-Sugrin was arrested by the PCSO Wednesday morning, December 10th.

PCSO detectives became aware of Jha'Kari's whereabouts through information provided by the Lakeland Police Department. Jha'Kari had an active warrant out of Hillsborough County for Fleeing to Elude, after he was alleged to have fled from a traffic stop.

Due to Jha'Kari's past, an abundance of PCSO detectives went to a residence in Eagle Lake at around 11:24 am Wednesday to apprehendthe wanted man.

When the detectives arrived there, Jha'Kari was immediately taken into custody without incident, and he was transported to the Sheriff's Processing Center.

In October 2024, Jha'Kari was arrested in Leon County for the fatal shooting of his pregnant girlfriend which also claimed the life of her unborn child. Jha'Kari was charged with Manslaughter (2-counts) and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. He then bonded out of the Leon County Jail, and was fitted with an ankle monitor while awaiting his trial.

Hillsborough County's warrant did not specify when Jha'Kari fled from their deputies.