WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A Haines City High School World History teacher, Shane Christopher Olson, 54, was arrested on Tuesday night, May 27, 2025, for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia after being found in a Winter Haven park after hours.
At approximately 10:01 p.m., Winter Haven Police officers conducting patrols of city parks, which are closed from sunset to dawn, discovered Olson in a red Toyota Prius parked at Lyons Park, located at 800 Ave. L SW.
According to the Winter Haven Police Department, Olson, who lives in Winter Haven, told officers he was unaware the park was closed. He stated he had pulled into the park to use his phone to avoid texting while driving and admitted to smoking something given to him by friends.
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Officers reported seeing a pipe that Olson had been using.
A test of the contents of the pipe indicated the presence of methamphetamine. A subsequent search of Olson’s vehicle yielded an additional vial containing a white crystal-like substance and another container found inside a black bag, along with two other pipes.
All items reportedly tested positive for methamphetamine.
Olson was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail. He faces charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Smoking Device).
Winter Haven Police officials noted that proactive patrols are a standard procedure to ensure city parks are not used for illegal activities outside of operating hours.
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