News and Investigations

On March 29, 2018, the Polk County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit arrested 18-year-old Justin Cruey of Auburndale, for sexually battering five girls - as young as 12-years-old over a span of two years. He has been charged with 2 counts Sexual Battery with threat of force (F-1), Lewd Molestation (F-3), Sexual Battery (F-2), Lewd Lascivious Conduct (F-2), Lewd Lascivious conduct on a person younger than 16 and older than 12 (F-3),  and 2 counts VOP (M-2).

According to the arrest affidavit and recent interviews with victims and witnesses, sometime in March or early April of 2016, the first victim (who was 13-years-old at the time) was sleeping at family member's home with her friend, when Cruey (who was 16-years-old at the time) entered the home through the bedroom window around 12:30 a.m. Cruey forced oral sex and unprotected sexual intercourse on the first victim against her will.

The first victim left the bedroom and when she came back, she saw Cruey laying on top of her friend, who was also in the bedroom.  The second victim (who was 12-years-old at the time) told detectives he laid on top of her and put his hand up her shirt near her ribs and sucked on her neck until he left a mark. Later on, a family member walked into the bedroom and forced Cruey to leave. The first victim did not tell the family member about the sexual battery because she said she was ashamed and embarrassed.

Detectives were told that Cruey hangs out after school ends at a local middle school, and notified a School Resource Officer. On March 26, 2018, a School Resource Officer notified PCSO detectives that a 12-year-old student, the third victim, recently mentioned Cruey.

The third victim told PCSO detectives that Cruey sexually battered her approximately two-weeks before at a local park in Winter Haven. She told detectives that he kissed her and put his hand down the front of her pants, and continued to touch her inappropriately. She told Cruey to stop, but he refused. On March 18, 2018, at the same park, Cruey forcefully pinned her feet and hands down and engaged in unprotected sex.

A fourth victim came forward (who is 15-years-old) and told detectives that on March 24, 2018, they were sitting at a picnic table at a Winter Haven park, when Cruey touched her inappropriately over and under her clothing. She told detectives that she tried to leave but Cruey threatened her with a knife.

On March 29, 2018, the third victim asked Cruey to bring her an emergency contraceptive pill, in fear that she may be pregnant. Cruey agreed to meet her at the park. She notified detectives, who found and arrested prior to him going to the park.

Based upon the physical evidence obtained in both of these cases and the disclosures by all four victims, Justin Cruey was arrested and charged on March 29, 2018, with the following:

*    2 counts of Sexual Battery by force or threat F.S.S 794.011(4) (a);

*    1 count of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation F.S.S 800.04(5) (d) on a person        less than 16, older than 12 by a person 18 years or older;

*    1 count of Sexual Battery by a JV F.S.S. 794.011(4)(B); and 

*    1 count of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct F.S.S. 800.04 (5) (d). 

Cruey was on juvenile probation for lewd and lascivious behavior and battery, and was additionally charged with VOP.

"As far as we know Cruey has been sexually battering young girls since he was 16-years-old. We need to find out if there are more victims. If you know your daughter has been in contact with Cruey either from school or a personal interaction, please call us. We need to make sure Cruey is held accountable for his actions." Grady Judd - Sheriff

After PCSO arrested Cruey, on March 30, 2018, a fifth victim came forward and showed detectives pictures of her and Cruey on her phone. The fifth victim, who was 13-years-old at the time,  told detectives that this happened approximately three weeks ago when she was spending the weekend at a friend's house. Cruey snuck into the girls' bedroom. The picture on the victim's phone shows a sexual act being done. 

Based on the physical evidence and statements from victims and witnesses, detectives additionally charged Cruey with Lewd and Lascivious Conduct F.S.S. 800.04(6)(b) by a person 18 YOA or older on a person less than 16 YOA, and VOP.

Cruey is being held at the Polk County Jail on $95,000 bond for the sexual battery charges, and on no bond for his 2 counts of VOP.

Cruey's criminal history includes:

• 01-07-2016 - Auburndale P.D. - VOP
• 04-04-2012 - Bartow P.D. - 3 counts Lewd/Lascivious Behavior
• 01-26-2012 - PCSO - Burglary