POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County deputies took 33-year-old Joseph Andrew Olavarria into custody early Thursday morning, following the discovery of an active felony warrant from neighboring Hillsborough County. The arrest occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. at a residence in the Oakwood Knoll neighborhood, located in the Medulla area of Lakeland.
Olavarria was wanted on multiple charges, including solicitation to commit human trafficking for commercial sexual activity with a victim under 18, use of computer services to solicit illegal acts, and transmission of harmful material to a minor.
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Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers located Olavarria in the garage of the home. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the presence of a patrol K9 coincided with Olavarria’s decision to cooperate with the commands of the deputies. The arrest was completed without any physical struggle or further incident.
Following the encounter, Olavarria was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center to be booked on the outstanding warrant.
He remains in custody pending legal proceedings in Hillsborough County. No further details regarding the underlying investigation have been released at this time.
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