News and Investigations

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 33-year-old Jose Arriaga of Auburndale for lewd molestation of a child.

The investigation began on September 11, 2025, when Arriaga’s probation officer reported concerns that he may have been inappropriately touching a child he had access to. The tip originated from the child’s mother. The 8-year-old victim disclosed that while she was lying in bed using her tablet, Arriaga got into bed with her and touched her inappropriately. She told him to stop and physically pushed him away.

During a phone call between the victim’s mother and Arriaga, the suspect admitted to touching the child’s vaginal area on approximately two occasions, stating he was “curious.”

Deputies responded to Arriaga’s residence, where he declined to speak without an attorney. Arriaga is currently on felony probation stemming from a prior arrest for possession of child pornography, which was later downgraded to unlawful use of a two-way communication device. He was sentenced to three years of probation which was set to end in 2027. His probation terms prohibit him from violating any laws and from sleeping in the same room as a child.

Arriaga was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. He was charged with lewd molestation of a victim under 12 (F1) and violation of probation (F3).

“This man was already on probation for child pornography-related crimes, and he chose to victimize an innocent child. He is a child predator who has no regard for the law. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect our children and put predators like this behind bars.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.