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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.
May 18, 2026
Winter Haven man arrested for harassment of an internet model
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey
A local internet model on the OnlyFans website reported to the Polk County Sheriff's Office that she had received some troubling messages from a Winter Haven man following a recent online transaction.
According to the victim, 41-year-old Rickey Collins had purchased intimate photos from her in exchange for a ring that he used as payment.
On Saturday, May 16th, Collins then reportedly contacted the victim and demanded she return the ring to him. The victim told Collins she would leave the ring for him at a specific location and he could get it from there, but Collins demanded that she return it to him in person.
The victim said that she refused to meet Collins in person, and this angered him even more.
Collins then sent her a photo of himself holding a firearm, and he said that he would show up at her residence in a few minutes.
The string of messages caused the victim to fear for her safety.
PCSO deputies located Collins early Sunday morning at a bar in Winter Haven and placed him under arrest. He was charged with Aggravated Stalking (F3) and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device (F3). Collins also had an active warrant out of St. Lucie County.