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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 Meghan Petty. 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.
Apr 28, 2025
Avon Park woman arrested for DUI and drug possession while a small child was in the backseat
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
What started as a traffic stop for a minor infraction ended with the driver being arrested on very serious charges.
On Saturday, April 26th, at around 7:15 pm, a PCSO deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2017 Nissan Altima with illegally tinted windows on US 17 at Vigiron Road in Fort Meade.
The driver was identified as 42-year old Heather Darlene Rimes of Avon Park.
When the deputy asked her for her driver's license Rimes stated that she has not had one in years. Her license was revoked on September 23, 2014.
The deputy noticed that Ms. Rimes had slurred speech, watery eyes, and body tremors.
In her vehicle were four small baggies under the driver's seat. The baggies contained substances that tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Ms. Rimes also had a small child in the back seat.
Ms. Rimes was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and she was taken to the Polk County Jail.
A breath alcohol test showed no sign of alcohol impairment, so a urine sample was collected for later testing.
According to the suspect, she consumed methamphetamine earlier in the day.
Heather Rimes was charged with: DUI, DUI with Passenger Under 18 years, Negligent Child Abuse, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Driving While License Suspended/Revoked.