Tampa’s NBC affiliate reports:
A Polk County deputy arrested a suspect in a Hillsborough County murder after tracking him down at a Sunday morning church service, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said John Skeen, 56, Polk City was wanted on a murder charge after he allegedly shot his friend during a fishing trip in Ruskin on March 10.
According to the sheriff’s office, Skeen asked Sgt. Evans if he could go back inside the church to “dedicate his life to the Lord before going to jail.” Evans joined Skeen on the way back into the church to pray for a moment before arresting him.
Read the full article.
Purely by coincidence, the church’s guest speaker at that moment was grandstanding local sheriff and DeSantis acolyte Grady Judd [photo], who fancies himself as Florida’s version of Joe Arpaio.
Judd has served as president of the Florida Sheriffs Association and was among the 88% of Florida sheriffs who endorsed DeSantis last year.
In October 2020, he made headlines for telling Trump that he’d never have to wear a mask in Polk County. Trump had tested positive for COVID hours earlier that day.
Last year cutouts of Grady and Trump were displayed on a busy Polk County road next to a “Let’s Go Brandon” sign. Judd reportedly found the display hilarious.
Polk County Sheriff to new liberal residents:
“Welcome to Florida. But don’t register to vote and vote the stupid way you did up north; you’ll get what they got.” pic.twitter.com/602idmHEYQ
— The First (@TheFirstonTV) April 19, 2021
Anti-Muslim conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who uses racist slurs to describe Black people, said she met today with Grady Judd, the sheriff of Polk County, Florida. Loomer, 28, is running in the Republican primary to try to unseat Congressman Dan Webster. pic.twitter.com/Kzj3TW5gnF
— Nick Martin (@nickmartin) May 11, 2022
Polk deputy finds murder suspect at church, prays with him, then arrests him https://t.co/fZrC3vgCaV pic.twitter.com/7cjCyJrQLP
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) March 14, 2023