POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A month-long undercover drug sweep across Polk County ended with five people behind bars on Thursday, May 28, 2026, including a convicted felon who allegedly sold drugs while wearing a court-ordered GPS ankle monitor.
Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit and Tactical Drug Unit launched the operation on April 30, 2026. Investigators targeted suspected narcotics hot spots across multiple cities, tracking activity in Haines City, Lake Wales, Davenport, Lakeland, Auburndale, and Winter Haven.
By the end of the operation, authorities identified seven suspects. Five are currently in custody, while two others remain at large with active warrants. Out of the five people arrested, three face charges for selling marijuana within 1,000 feet of a church, and two face charges for selling cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church.
Among those taken into custody was 23-year-old Donovan Roserie of Lakeland. According to detectives, Roserie was already on probation for burglary and grand theft and was actively wearing a law-enforcement ankle monitor when he sold drugs to an undercover detective. Following his arrest, investigators searched his apartment and uncovered a long gun, ammunition, and packaged marijuana.
“Drug dealers who think they can hide in neighborhoods and sell poison in our community are making very bad decisions,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. “Our detectives will find you, we will arrest you, and we will hold you accountable. If you’re on probation, wearing an ankle monitor, and still committing crimes, you’re proving exactly why you need to be behind bars.”
The four other individuals arrested during the sweep include:
- Darwin Outsey Jr., 26, of Haines City: Charged with sale of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a church and possession of drug paraphernalia. His past criminal history includes cocaine possession with intent to sell, grand-theft robbery, and carrying a concealed firearm.
- Arnold McFarlane, 53, of Lakeland: Charged with sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church. His past record includes armed robbery and domestic violence battery.
- Tiffany Marie Morrison, 33, of Lakeland: Charged with sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church.
- Demetrius Tyrone Jackson, 23, of Lakeland: Charged with sale of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a church, possession of marijuana, possession of a prescription drug without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Sheriff’s Office noted that these types of narcotics investigations frequently begin with citizen tips. They encourage residents to report suspicious activity directly to deputies and analysts by emailing tips@polksheriff.org with specific details like addresses, names, vehicle descriptions, and times of day.
Meanwhile, detectives are still searching for the final two suspects identified in the operation: Jacob Esau Jackson IV, 37, and Jacquez Gamble, 22. Both men are wanted for the sale of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a church.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jackson or Gamble is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. Tipsters who want to stay anonymous and remain eligible for a cash reward can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers by calling 1-888-400-TIPS (8477), dialing TIPS from a mobile phone, visiting heartlandcrimestoppers.com, or using the “P3tips” smartphone app.
READ: Polk County Litterbug Traffic Stop Ends In Meth Trafficking Arrests
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