Multiple suspects were arrested in a recent Central Florida riot.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested eight suspects involved in the violent disturbance of the peace at Lake Winterset that occurred last month.
PCSO received a call reporting an in-progress fight near the shoreline of Lake Winterset. Upon arrival by deputies, everyone had already dispersed and fled the area by boat. The investigation advanced significantly after a cellphone video of the incident surfaced on social media.
According to law enforcement, the video shows a group of people actively engaged in a physical altercation, during which multiple punches and kicks were thrown. Two individuals appear to be temporarily rendered unconscious during the altercation; one falls headfirst into the lake while unconscious, and the other is assisted by a bystander who administers CPR. Several small children are observed in close proximity to the fight.
A witness reported being on a nearby boat with his family, including his five-year-old grandson, when the riot occurred and stated the incident negatively impacted his day and caused distress to his family.
The Sheriff provided the following excerpts from the affidavits, and said they are self-explanatory:
The fight, which resulted in two unconscious participants, was violent in nature and occurred in a public setting where it was witnessed by numerous individuals on the lake. It was apparent that all participants acted with a common intent to assist one another in violent and disorderly conduct, creating an imminent danger of injury to others, and thereby engaging in a riot.
These actions corrupted public morals, outraged the sense of public decency, and disturbed the peace and quiet of persons who witnessed the incident, thereby constituting a breach of the peace/disorderly conduct.
The incident took place on private property located beyond the waterline of Lake Winterset, separated by a seawall, and is properly posted with “No Trespassing” signage as defined in F.S. 810.011(5)(a), bearing Polk County Sheriff’s Office markings. All involved subjects actively disregarded the signage and entered the property without authorization.
As a result of the Central Florida riot investigation, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said eight suspects were arrested and charged as follows:
23-year-old Mason Land – Rioting, affray, trespassing, disorderly conduct
19-year-old Payton Ely – Rioting, affray, trespassing, disorderly conduct
21-year-old Timothy “Owen” Gooding – Rioting, affray, trespassing, disorderly conduct, contributing to the delinquency of a minor
17-year-old Gavin Gooding – Rioting, affray, trespassing, disorderly conduct
40-year-old Richard Carden – Rioting, affray, trespassing, disorderly conduct
22-year-old Garrett Ore – Rioting, affray, trespassing, disorderly conduct
21-year-old Garrett Hiltabidel – Rioting, affray, trespassing, disorderly conduct
21-year-old Nate Land – Rioting, affray, trespassing, disorderly conduct
“We will not tolerate violent and disorderly behavior that disrupts the peaceful enjoyment of our community,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “Thanks to the video evidence and witness cooperation, we’ve identified those responsible and have arrested them. And here’s another message – as you are enjoying the beautiful lakes in Winter Haven and throughout our county, stay off of people’s private property.”
