POLK COUNTY, Fla – A detention deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested by the PCSO, after an investigation determined he had stolen thousands of dollars by falsely claiming overtime hours that he did not work.
33-year-old Bruce West, Jr. was arrested Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Central County Jail in Bartow where he was assigned, after he admitted to the Sheriff’s detective that he had falsified time cards.
The investigation showed that West had falsely claimed overtime hours resulting in a total of $15,357 of unearned money being embezzled by West.
In the news: Hillsborough County Sheriff Detention Deputy Arrested For DUI After Polk County Crash
“It’s a major disappointment when someone working in law enforcement runs afoul of the law, but it stings even more when it’s someone within your own work family. He knew better and still betrayed his co-workers, his profession, and the taxpayers of Polk County, and we arrested him.—we intend to not only hold him criminally accountable, but also to recover taxpayers’ money,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Bruce West, Jr. was charged with: Grand Theft Between $10,000 & $20,000 (F3), Obtain Property by Fraud Less than $20,000 (F3), and False Entries to Corporate Books (F3).
Investigators say West was hired by the PCSO as a detention deputy on August 30, 2021 and was sworn in on October 19, 2021. He resigned upon his arrest, but had he not, his employment would have been terminated.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter . Signup for our free newsletter . We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps.