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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.

Dec 29, 2022

Convicted felon charged with First Degree Murder for the Christmas Eve killing of his wife

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives charged 39-year-old Ronald Lockett, Jr. ofRonald Lockett Jr Lakeland for First Degree Murder (F1) of his wife, 39-year-old Shameka Lockett. Ronald Lockett, Jr. is a registered felon who has served two prison sentences, one for battery in 2011, and then again in 2020 for battery, burglary, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and fleeing from law enforcement. 

A family member of Shameka Lockett went to Ms. Lockett’s home near West Patterson Street in Lakeland on December 24th to check on Shameka and found her unresponsive and on the floor in a bedroom. The family member called 911. 

PCSO detectives arrived around 8:30 p.m. and found the victim had been fatally shot. 

During the investigation, detectives learned that Ronald Lockett was on Pretrial Release conditions for Aggravated Battery Domestic Violence (F2) and Knowingly Driving without a License (M2) and prohibited from contacting Shameka. He violated those conditions when he picked her up from her place of employment around 1:30 a.m. that morning. Lockett then drove Shameka home. 

When detectives interviewed family members in the home, they told detectives that they heard the couple arguing, followed by a noise they described as a “pop.” 

During a search of the home, detectives located 27 rounds of ammunition and Ronald Lockett’s Identification Card. Also located inside the home was a container with a white powder that tested positive for Ecstasy. 

The next day, detectives found Ronald Lockett at a different residence in Lakeland. Lockett admitted to detectives that he picked Shameka up from work and took her home, but he denied any involvement in the murder. Lockett also told detectives that he sold Ecstasy pills to make extra money. 

Lockett was initially arrested for Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon (F2), Possession of Ecstasy (F3), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), and Violation of Pretrial Release conditions for Aggravated Battery Domestic Violence (F2) and Knowingly Driving without a License (M2). 

Following the results of the autopsy, which determined the cause of death a homicide, detectives additionally charged Lockett with First Degree Murder. He is still in the Polk County Jail and being held with no bond. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family whose loved one was brutally murdered in her own home during what should have been a season of celebration. Thankfully, my detectives found the murderer quickly, and put him in jail, where he belongs.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Lockett’s criminal history includes 10 felonies and 24 misdemeanors for numerous domestic violence battery charges, burglary, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, DUI, false information to a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer, fleeing from law enforcement, possession of marijuana, failure to appear, violation of probation