Every weekday  we will have the Polk Mugshot of The Day. The mugshot will be someone arrested in Polk County in the past couple of weeks. The mugshot along with the charges will be posted. Please remember these individuals are innocent until proven guilty.

Polk Mugshot of the Day brought to you by  polkmugshot.com.

KENNEDY, LINDSEY  ELIZABETH 

Race: W    Sex: F    DOB: 2/14/1992 
Height: 409     Weight: 115 
Arresting Agency: LAKELAND POLICE DEPT. 

Charges:  LARC-PETIT THEFT 2ND DEGREE 3RD SUBSQ OFFENSE Surety $2000, DRUG EQUIP-POSSESS-AND OR USE Surety $500

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On Wednesday, July 15, 2015, the PCSO undercover Tactical Drug Unit executed a search warrant at 2417 Golfview Street in Lakeland, seized large amounts of heroin and illegal drugs, and made three arrests.

Around 8:15 a.m. that day detectives responded to the home to serve a search warrant. The resident of the home, Jeremiah Jaron Rogers (DOB 8/28/1988) immediately fled on foot but was apprehended by detectives in less than a minute. While fleeing, Rogers attempted to rid himself of $5,000 cash and a paper towel bundle which contained: 34 plastic bags containing heroin totaling 42 grams, a plastic bag containing cocaine, one Hydrocodone pill, and three Oxycodone pills; and another plastic bag containing several Alprazolam (Xanax) pills. He was charged with the following:
Armed Trafficking in Oxycodone (F-L)
Armed Trafficking in Heroin (F-L)
Possession of Cocaine WITS (F-2)
Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F-2)
Possession of Hydrocodone WITS (F-2)
Own a Structure of Trafficking (F-3)
Possession of Prescription Medication WITS (F-3)
Possession of Alprazolam WITS (F-2)
Resisting Arrest (M-1)
Possession of Marijuana (M-1)
Possession of Paraphernalia (M-1)
During the search warrant, detectives seized the following:
A Kahr 9 mm handgun from Rogers’ bedroom
A black digital scale with marijuana residue on it
30 prescription Meloxicam pills
Two iPhones, one of which contained text messages to Rogers requesting “pills”
Rogers has been booked into the Polk County Jail and placed on a Nebbia hold. His prior Polk County arrests are listed here:

2007-027009 ROGERS, JEREMIAH BM 08/28/1988 11/01/2007 12/17/2007
2010-017537 ROGERS, JEREMIAH BM 08/28/1988 07/26/2010 08/18/2010
2010-027446 ROGERS, JEREMIAH BM 08/28/1988 11/20/2010 07/15/2011
2012-020365 ROGERS, JEREMIAH BM 08/20/1988 08/10/2012 08/11/2012
2015-002634 ROGERS, JEREMIAH BM 08/28/1988 02/05/2015 02/08/2015
2009-025385 ROGERS, JEREMIAH J BM 08/28/1988 10/30/2009 01/31/2010
2010-019702 ROGERS, JEREMIAH J BM 08/28/1988 08/20/2010 09/15/2010
2012-015045 ROGERS, JEREMIAH J BM 08/28/1988 06/12/2012 06/12/2012
2006-016573 ROGERS, JEREMIAH J BM 08/28/1988 07/05/2006 12/01/2006
2011-025427 ROGERS, JEREMIAH J BM 08/28/1988 10/29/2011 10/30/2011
2012-032227 ROGERS, JEREMIAH J BM 08/28/1988 12/28/2012 12/29/2012
2013-000398 ROGERS, JEREMIAH J BM 08/28/1988 01/05/2013 04/05/2013
2013-011127 ROGERS, JEREMIAH J BM 08/28/1988 05/16/2013 06/06/2013

Rogers was arrested in February 2015 for nine different drug charges including Trafficking, and was released after posting bond. Those charges are still pending. Rogers spent a year in prison from 2007-2008 for Grand Theft of a Firearm.

Detectives at the residence also arrested Jarrod S. Gaines (DOB 1/21/1990), who was charged with Possession of Prescription Medication WITS, Possession of Marijuana & Paraphernalia; and Kira Scott (DOB 5/12/1991), who was charged with Possession of Prescription Medication WITS, Possession of Marijuana & Paraphernalia.

“We take complaints about drug activity and drug dealers very seriously and will conduct investigations and serve search warrants to ensure those who make a living selling drugs are put behind bars. Jeremiah Rogers conducts himself as if the laws don’t apply to him – well, they do, and he won’t be bonding out of jail unless he can come up with money he didn’t earn by selling narcotics.” – Sheriff Grady Judd

Lakeland,  Florida – October 21, 2014, the victim, Gerald Brown Jr purchased 5 morphine pills from Travis Dykers. Brown ingested the pills and then drove to Ocala where he was found deceased on 10/22/14 at his residence. The death was initially investigated by the Ocala Police Department. After it was determined that Brown had purchased the pills in Lakeland, the case was turned over to LPD to be investigated.

On July 16th, the case was presented to a grand jury and an indictment was issued against Travis Dykers for 1st degree murder and delivery of morphine. On July 17th, Dykers was arrested at his residence located at 1230 Duncan Avenue.

Derek Lavonte Scott sentenced to 15 years for murder of Courtney Bomer

Bartow, Florida – A Lakeland man, Derek Lavonte Scott, was only 18 when he shot and killed Courtney D. Bomer in 2010. At the time Scott said it was an accident. He faced 2nd degree murder charges, but took a plea of manslaughter. Polk County Judge Renaldo Ojeda sentenced the now  23 year old Scott to 15 years this morning.

The shooting occurred on June 21, 2010 around 5:45pm at the home of Bomer’s girlfriend on Crystal Hills Loop S., Lakeland.  Scott shot Bomer in the head and took off. Later telling police that it was an accident and he was just playing according to published reports. Forensic evidence didn’t support Scott’s version of the shooting.  The murder weapon, 9mm Beretta,  was found behind the residence in some bushes. Scott reportedly had pointed the loaded weapon at another person also, but never fired the weapon.

The family of Courtney Bomer waited 5 years for justice.

Looking for something to do on August 8, 2015? Well, here’s a suggestion – come out and watch a battle of badges on bases!

It’s a Battle of the Badges in the ultimate charity softball game on Saturday, August 8th as the Lakeland Police Department takes on the Polk County Sheriff’s Office AND: The winner takes home $10,000. 
The Gates open at 3:00 PM. Game starts at 4:00 PM.  May The Best Force Win.

Event will be held at the Joker Marchant Stadium.  More details about the event will be coming soon.  Check back for Admission Prices.

Update 8:43pm – The man police found deceased behind a home at 1216 Windsong Drive in Lakeland was a registered sexual predator. Gary Greenfield was convicted in June of 1986 for stabbing & sodomizing a 20 year old woman in New York.

Update 6:24pm – The victim in yesterday’s death investigation has been positively identified as Gary Greenfield, DOB 8/13/50, of 1216 Windsong Drive in Lakeland (the residence behind which he was found deceased). An autopsy was conducted today, and the results are pending toxicology.

Lakeland, Florida – Around 11:10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, PCSO received a call in reference to human remains found near 1216 Windsong Drive in Lakeland, in the Cherry Tree Estates subdivision. When deputies arrived on scene they found partially decomposed remains on the property behind the house. The death is being treated as suspicious. The remains are that of an adult.

Detectives are conducting an investigation at this time to identify the remains and an autopsy will be conducted tomorrow (July 30, 2015) to determine the cause of death. No further information will be released until after the autopsy is conducted.

If anyone has information about this investigation, they are urged to contact the PCSO Homicide Unit at 863-298-6200. Or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPSInline image 1 (8477), or www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed!

Update 10:30pm – Manner of death unknown at this time per Lakeland Police Sgt. Gary Gross.

Lakeland, Florida – According the Lakeland Police Department the body of a man has been found in a car at 4445 U.S. 98 N Lakeland, Walgreens. The identity of the victim is not being released at this time. It is unknown the cause of the man’s death.

The body was already badly decomposing. We will bring you more information as it available.

Lakeland,  Florida – At approximately 8:52 am, on Friday, July 31, 2015, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence on Crystal Hills Loop South, Lakeland, after receiving a call about a female being found unresponsive at the home.

Emergency medical services arrived and determined 43-year-old Angela Honeycutt, who lived at the residence with her adult daughter, was deceased. Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide detectives arrived and assumed the investigation.

During the investigation, another call was received about a suspicious vehicle, a black Jeep Wrangler, located a mile away in an industrial area of Reynolds Road. Deputies arrived and located 48-year-old Nancy Vicente, Black Birch Trail, Mulberry, on the ground with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. She was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Center where she is listed in critical condition.

Through the investigation detectives learned Honeycutt had been in an intermittent romantic relationship with Vincente, and that Vincente had spent the night at the Crystal Hills Loop South residence on Thursday, July 30th.

When family members awoke Friday morning, Vincente and her Jeep were gone, and Honeycutt was found in her bed, deceased with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head. An autopsy will confirm the cause and manner of death.

At this time, evidence and witness statements suggest Vincente shot Honeycutt then left the scene and attempted suicide.

The investigation is ongoing.

Six-year-old Meredith Jessie, and her grandfather, 50-year-old Mark Weekly, were last seen on July 18, 2015, at Weely’s home on Drane Field Road, Lakeland, when Meredith was left in Weekly’s care.  They were reported missing by a family member today, August 1, 2015. 

Meredith is described as being a white female child, three feet tall and weighing approximately 55 pounds.  She has sandy-blonde hair cut in a very short style.  Meredith has brown eyes and has a light complexion.

Mark Weekly is described as being a white male approximately 5’7” tall and weighing approximately 190-200 pounds.  He has blue eyes and sandy-blonde, graying hair; he is balding on top.  He has a brown and grey beard.

Anyone with information in their whereabouts is urged to contact Detect Lyle Tripp at 863.298.6200. 

A 23-year-old Lakeland passenger has died and the 16-year-old driver is in critical condition after a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 4 at County Line Road near Plant City Sunday morning,
according to the Florida Highway Patrol.  The teenage driver appeared to have lost control of the Nissan sedan he was driving. Reports say he appeared to be driving erratically on I-4 eastbound before he lost control while approaching the County Line Road overpass.

The car smashed into the guardrail at the overpass, causing fatal injuries to the passenger. The driver was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center and is listed in critical condition.

The identities of these individuals has not been released pending next-of-kin notification.

Update: Polk County Sheriff’s Office detective were searching throughout the evening hours and have discovered the bodies of both Weekly and the child – both the victims of murder.

Lakeland, Florida – Six-year-old Meredith Jessie, and her grandfather, 50-year-old Mark Weekly, were last seen on July 18, 2015, at Weely’s home on Drane Field Road, Lakeland, when Meredith was left in Weekly’s care.  They were reported missing by a family member today, August 1, 2015.

Meredith is described as being a white female child, three feet tall and weighing approximately 55 pounds.  She has sandy-blonde hair cut in a very short style.  Meredith has brown eyes and has a light complexion.

Mark Weekly is described as being a white male approximately 5’7” tall and weighing approximately 190-200 pounds.  He has blue eyes and sandy-blonde, graying hair; he is balding on top.  He has a brown and grey beard.

Anyone with information in their whereabouts is urged to contact Detect Lyle Tripp at 863.298.6200.

Update: Mother of 6 yr. Old girl and daughter of grandfather is allegedly a cold blooded murderer according to Grady Judd. Allegedly she stabbed her daughter & father on the 18th of July. She allegedly put them in totes days later hid the bodies in totes & moved them to the home of Mark Weekly, the grandfather’s, landlord who was out of town on vacation. She then put them in a shed. Cheyanne Jessie, 25, got the idea to put the bodies in totes after watching crime show Criminal Minds. Sheriff Judd advised the media that Cheyanne Jessie went to work like nothing was wrong. She had no emotion when she designed an elaborate story that her father had cancer & was moving to Ga. with her daughter.

Jessie is in custody facing two 1st degree murder charges. More information shortly.

Lakeland, Florida – Six-year-old Meredith Jessie, and her grandfather, 50-year-old Mark Weekly, were last seen on July 18, 2015, at Weely’s home on Drane Field Road, Lakeland, when Meredith was left in Weekly’s care.  They were reported missing by a family member today, August 1, 2015.

Meredith is described as being a white female child, three feet tall and weighing approximately 55 pounds.  She has sandy-blonde hair cut in a very short style.  Meredith has brown eyes and has a light complexion.

Mark Weekly is described as being a white male approximately 5’7” tall and weighing approximately 190-200 pounds.  He has blue eyes and sandy-blonde, graying hair; he is balding on top.  He has a brown and grey beard.

Anyone with information in their whereabouts is urged to contact Detect Lyle Tripp at 863.298.6200.

Polk Police Chiefs Association Awards Scholarship to Local Students
Scholarship fund established in memory of former Auburndale Police Chief Nolan McLeod

BARTOW, Fla. (Aug. 6, 2015) – Five high school graduates received Polk County Police Chiefs Charitable Foundation Scholarships this morning at the Polk Police Chiefs Association’s monthly meeting. 
The scholarship – established in memory of the late Auburndale Police Chief Nolan McLeod – is offered to graduating seniors and recent graduates who are children of active or retired law enforcement officers in Polk County. 
“The chiefs in our association consider it a great honor to award this scholarship,” said Lake Wales Police Chief Larry Holden, president of the Polk County Police Chiefs Charitable Foundation. “One of Chief McLeod’s last requests was to create a scholarship fund for students. We are very pleased to once again have the opportunity to award these scholarships and invest in the children of our fellow officers.”
The chiefs association awarded five $1,000 scholarships and the association will continue raising funds to make the scholarship available each year. 
“Nolan was a believer in education, and he wanted to see more opportunities for children of law enforcement officers,” said Nancy McLeod, wife of the late Chief McLeod, who served as police chief in Auburndale until passing away from cancer in 2012. “As his family, it means so much to see his legacy continue in Polk County, where he spent most of his law enforcement career.”
The recipients of the 2015 Polk Police Chiefs Charitable Foundation Scholarship are:
*       David Black, Jr., graduate of Lake Wales High School, son of Lt. David Black of the Lake Wales Police Department. He plans to attend Polk State College. 

*       Patrick Blanchette, graduate of Lakeland Senior High School, son of Patrick Blanchette of the Lakeland Police Department. He plans to attend the University of Central Florida.

*       Kevin Spell, graduate of Oasis Christian Academy, son of Kevin Spell of the Auburndale Police Department. He plans to attend Keiser University

*       Austin Velasquez, graduate of Avon Park High School, son of Chief Chris Velasquez of the Lake Wales Police Department. He plans to attend South Florida State College

*       Lindsay Weppelman, graduate of Lake Wales High School, daughter of Michael Weppelman of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. She plans to attend the University of South Florida.


For more information on the Polk County Police Chiefs Charitable Foundation Scholarship or to make a donation to the scholarship fund, please contact Chief Chris Velasquez at 863-678-4223 Ext. 260 or cvelasquez@cityoflakewales.com.

(Photo: (l-r) Chief Chris Velasquez (Lk Wales), David Black, Jr, Kevin Spell, Austin Velasquez, Lindsay Weppelman, Patrick Blanchette, Nancy McLeod, Joe McLeod (late Chief McLeod’s son) and Chief Larry Holden (Davenport)

Update: Murder Suspect Mathew Bell has been taken into custody on Palmetto Ave. in Lakeland. We will update more info tomorrow.

Lakeland, Florida – On Friday, August 7,
2015, at approximately 10:57 p.m. the Lakeland Police Department responded to a disturbance at 720 Johnson Avenue, Lakeland, Polk County, Fl.  Uniform officers discovered that two individuals had been stabbed, and the known suspect had fled the scene.
Peter Latoski, 44 years old, suffered a single stab wound and his injury was serious, but not life threatening.  Mr. Latoski identified the suspect as Mathew Bell, 44 years old.  He indicated that a disturbance occurred at the rooming house and Bell was asked to leave the property. When Bell refused, the second victim, Mario Acosta attempted to escort Bell off of the property.  That led to a fist fight at which time Bell introduced a knife and stabbed Acosta. Mr. Latoski attempted to intervene and was stabbed once by Bell. Bell then fled the scene on foot and was not apprehended.

Mr. Latoski and Mr. Acosta were transported to Lakeland Regional Health Hospital and Acosta later died from his injuries. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to investigate and they obtained a warrant for Bells arrest on 1st Degree Murder & Attempted 1st Degree Murder. Bell’s has not permanent address and is listed at larger at this time.

Victim: Peter Latoski, 44 yrs old, 720 Johnson Avenue, Lakeland, Fla.

Decedent:  Mario Acosta, 58 yrs old, 720 Johnson Avenue, Lakeland, Fla.

Suspect: Matthew Clement Bell, 44 yrs old, No permanent address. Hgt. 5’07”, WGT 160, Brown hair, blue eyes. Bell was last seen wearing blue jeans with a black and white shirt. There is an active warrant for his arrest on 1st Degree Murder & Attempted 1st Degree Murder.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Matthew Bell is asked to contact the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6900 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, you must contact Crime Stoppers.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives continue to ask for the public’s help in locating 39-year-old Danny Coleman Thompson, Jr. Thompson is wanted in connection to a shooting investigation currently underway at MES-GCI Construction, located at 2360 Old Highway 60, Mulberry. There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Thompson is described as being a white male, approximately 6’2”. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark colored cap, dark colored t-shirt with a logo on the front, and blue jeans. His last known address 6242 Springwoods Lane, Lakeland.

He is believed to be driving a 2006 Ford 150 Super Crew Cab with Florida Tag 212-6PD. The rear bumper on the passenger’s side has a black and white sticker with the words, “Real Men Love Jesus.”

Thompson is believed to be armed with a handgun and considered dangerous. Thompson is currently wanted for three counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, and one count of Armed Burglary.

Thompson arrived at the business at approximately 2:22 pm today, Thursday, July 30, 2015, and began firing at employees of the business.

One victim was uninjured during the incident. Two other victims were injured and transported to Lakeland Regional Health Center with what is described as non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone with information about Thompson’s whereabouts is urged to contact the PCSO at 863.298.6200.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION WHO WANTS TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR A $10,000 REWARD IS ASKED TO CALL HEARTLAND CRIME STOPPERS AT 1-800-226-TIPS or LOGONTOwww.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. ANONYMITY IS GUARANTEED! iPhone users can download a free tip submit app to anonymously report crime. To install this free app, search for “TipSoft” or “TipSubmit” on the Apple App Store.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies are conducting a death investigation related to a 1 ½ year old boy who was reportedly found unresponsive in a kiddie pool today at Skyview Blvd., Lakeland. According to Ms. Ashley Norman, of Skyview Blvd., at approximately 1:00 p.m. today Tuesday, August 11, she discovered her son, Cedric Phipps (DOB 1-8-14) face down in a kiddy pool on the property.

Norman told deputies she had left the child in a baby swing to go across the street to check on other children.  She said that when she returned, she found Cedric in the kiddie pool face down.  Family members and neighbors attempted CPR & EMS was called; EMS attempted to resuscitate the child at the scene and on the way to LRH.  The child was declared deceased at the hospital.  The Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting an autopsy.  Deputies are conducting an ongoing death investigation.