Sheriff Grady Judd to Hold 4:00 p.m. Briefing on Violent Morning Incident in Lakeland
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – In a press briefing on Tuesday following the arrest of Denis Corea Miranda, a 21-year-old illegal immigrant from Nicaragua, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd laid out a detailed timeline of events, revealing that the suspect had been previously encountered and released by federal authorities on at least two occasions since 2021.
Sheriff Judd, visibly frustrated, spoke about the “saga of illegal immigration” and its consequences.
He identified the suspect as Denis Corea Miranda, who was photographed smiling in custody with deputies. “I bet we’ve wiped the smile off his face,” Judd stated, before detailing the serious charges the suspect now faces.
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A History of “Catch and Release”
According to Sheriff Judd, Corea Miranda’s journey in the U.S. began in 2021 when he was stopped by Border Patrol in the Chula Vista, California area. He was not taken into custody but was instead given a court date and released—a practice referred to as “catch and release” under the Biden administration.
The suspect resurfaced in July 2024 when he was arrested for a DUI in Galveston, Texas.
He failed to appear for his court date, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. However, this was a “no extradition warrant,” meaning authorities in other jurisdictions would not take him into custody on those charges. This allowed him to disappear again before reappearing in Polk County, Florida.
The Lakeland Incident
On Tuesday morning, two special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) had a warrant for Corea Miranda’s deportation and located him at a residence on Buccaneer Drive in Lakeland.
They followed him to Reynolds Road, where they initiated a traffic stop. During the stop, Corea Miranda attempted to flee. A male HSI agent grabbed him, and a five-minute-long struggle ensued.
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“A five-minute fight is a long time,” Judd emphasized.
The suspect managed to get on top of the agent and pin him down. A female HSI agent eventually used pepper spray to subdue him, and Corea Miranda fled into the woods. The male agent sustained a significant shoulder injury and was transported to the hospital.
“He was significantly injured… it shouldn’t have happened,” Judd said, noting that it was the first time an ICE or HSI agent had been injured in the line of duty in Polk County to his knowledge.
Apprehension and Confession
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded with a massive show of force, deploying a helicopter, drones, canines, and a large contingent of deputies to set a perimeter.
During the search, an employee at a nearby business saw Corea Miranda hiding on a loading dock among some 55-gallon drums. The employee called 911, and the suspect fled again. A lieutenant later spotted and apprehended him without further incident.
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After his arrest, Corea Miranda was read his Miranda rights and “totally confessed,” according to Sheriff Judd. He admitted to being in the U.S. illegally and resisting arrest because he didn’t want to be deported. The two other individuals in the vehicle with him were also found to be in the country illegally and were turned over to federal authorities.
Serious State and Federal Charges
Judd outlined the serious felony charges Corea Miranda now faces in Florida, which have been elevated due to his illegal status:
- Battery on a law enforcement officer: A second-degree felony (F2), elevated from a third-degree felony (F3).
- Resisting with violence: A second-degree felony (F2), elevated from a third-degree felony (F3).
- Resisting without violence: A third-degree felony (F3), elevated from a first-degree misdemeanor.
- False imprisonment.
- Burglary of an occupied structure: A first-degree felony (F1), elevated from a second-degree felony.
“He’s not even yet facing his federal charges,” Judd said. The sheriff concluded by stating that the incident was a direct result of a “broken” federal immigration system.
“Had this guy been dealt with correctly… none of this would have happened,” he stated, adding that the cost of the manhunt and the subsequent prosecution would be borne by taxpayers.
ORIGINAL REPORT: An operation by federal law enforcement in Lakeland turned violent this morning when a 21-year-old illegal immigrant from Nicaragua, identified as Denis Corea Miranda, fought with agents who were attempting to take him into custody.
The suspect fled the scene, prompting a rapid response and perimeter set-up by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), which ultimately led to his apprehension.
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The incident occurred on Reynolds Road, and a statement from the PCSO confirms that Corea Miranda, who is in the country illegally, violently resisted arrest.
After he escaped from the federal agents, PCSO deputies established a perimeter to contain the suspect. Their efforts were successful, and Corea Miranda was located and taken into custody.
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Details about the condition of the federal agent involved in the altercation have not been released. Additionally, information regarding the specific charges Corea Miranda will face is expected to be provided at a press briefing.
Sheriff Grady Judd is scheduled to address the media at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon to provide further details about the incident.
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