POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced Wednesday the arrest of Jordan Montoya, 27, in South Carolina, following a series of alleged crimes and a violation of his release conditions.
Judd, known for his colorful commentary, referred to Montoya as a “raspert,” a term he explained, a new word he created.
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Montoya, who had previously been arrested in Polk County for allegedly stealing black swans from a Lakeland home, bonded out of jail and subsequently left the state, a violation of his release conditions.
Judd emphasized that Montoya is not a resident of Polk County, stating, “We don’t allow rasperts like this to live in Polk County.”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with Lakeland Police, was investigating Montoya’s potential involvement in additional swan thefts in Lakeland, known as “Swan City.”
Adding to Montoya’s legal woes, Volusia County had issued an escape warrant for him after he left Polk County.
“This guy’s just a problem, you know what I’m saying?” Sheriff Judd stated.
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Montoya’s attempt to evade law enforcement led him to South Carolina, where he was apprehended by the Horry County Police Department. Sheriff Judd praised the Horry County officers for their cooperation and successful arrest.
“That’s pretty awesome. Horry County Police Department is a great law enforcement agency with great guys. It’s the long arm of the law, you know. He ran, but he’s just going to jail tired,” Judd said.
Montoya is now in custody in South Carolina and will face charges related to his escape and alleged criminal activities in Florida. He will be extradited back to Florida.
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