On February 22, 2020, Charles Polen and the victim got into a verbal argument at “The Coop” located in Babson Park. The victim left the establishment and proceeded to walk on the side of the road. When the defendant finished his beer, he got into his vehicle and ran over the victim causing blunt force trauma to her head. Instead of stopping, Polen drove back to The Coop and parked his car. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Polen was sentenced to 30 year in the Florida State Prison followed by 15 years of probation for DUI Manslaughter, Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death, and Driving Without a Driver’s License. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Rachelle Williamson and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.

Corey Smith didn’t take kindly to a group of friends who asked him to leave their backyard get together. Several witnesses and the victim were hanging out together when Smith, who lived directly behind one of the witnesses, walked over while heavily intoxicated. When Smith continued to use vulgar language and began breaking glass, he was asked to leave. After leaving for approximately 10 minutes, Smith returned to the witnesses’ home and started an argument. Smith pulled out a handgun and pointed it at one of the witnesses. That’s when the victim jumped in and was shot in the back. Thankfully, the victim survived and has recently become a firefighter. Smith was convicted of Aggravated Battery with a Weapon and charged under the 10-20 Life Law. He was sentenced to 25 years in Florida State Prison. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Ralph Guerra and the Lakeland Police Department for their work on this case.