A lakeside brawl that left two people unconscious and upset families has prompted one of Florida’s toughest sheriffs to declare war on unruly partygoers who have turned a once-peaceful community destination into chaos.
The incident unfolded at Lake Winterset in Polk County on August 2nd when a group of beach ready individuals launched into what authorities described as a “riot” right on the water’s edge. Video footage captured the mayhem as music blared while participants chased and attacked each other in front of horrified onlookers including small children.
The scrap escalated quickly with one person being punched unconscious and floating face-down in the lake as a child watched on. A woman in a bikini was seen rushing from the water to perform what appeared to be chest compressions. Moments later another individual was sucker-punched while standing in shallow water losing consciousness as the brawk continued even after he went limp.
“The conduct is reprehensible and obviously you don’t believe us when we try to warn you,” declared Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd at a Tuesday press conference, his frustration evident. “So you have unleashed the teeth of the dog and now we’re going to start biting you just like we bit these guys here.”
By the time police arrived at the 3 PM scene all participants had fled leaving behind only the two unconscious individuals and traumatized families. However investigators didn’t let them escape justice. Eight individuals were eventually arrested in connection with the melee: Mason Land 23; Payton Ely 19; Timothy ‘Owen’ Gooding 21; Gavin Gooding 17; Richard Carden 40; Garrett Ore 22; Garrett Hiltabidel 21; and Nate Land 21.
All face charges of trespassing, affray, disorderly conduct and rioting. Gooding received an additional charge for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Sheriff Judd made it clear this incident was the final straw in an ongoing battle with disruptive visitors who have been upseting the lakeside community. The tough-talking sheriff didn’t mince words about the pattern of behavior plaguing the area.
“You can knucklebust and create brain injuries to each other on your own property without creating a disturbance to your neighbors,” Judd stated bluntly.
The problems extend far beyond this single altercation. Judd revealed a catalog of inappropriate behavior occurring at “The Point” including someone defecating on private property – captured on surveillance video – and public indecency happening “in the middle of the afternoon in people’s backyards where they are trespassing.”
For longtime residents like 74-year-old Vietnam veteran Gary Resmondo the situation has become unbearable.
“They’re docking their boats on the land not in the water,” he told local media. “I can’t even hear myself think. On the weekends it’s horrible. I’m a 74-year-old Vietnam combat-disabled veteran and I can’t even sit on my back porch. I’m really thinking about giving somebody my $2 million house and I’m leaving.”
The 544-acre Lake Winterset part of the Winter Haven Southern Chain of Lakes serves as a public waterway surrounded by private properties. What was once a family-friendly destination has become a nightmare for residents dealing with trespassers who show no respect for property lines or basic decency.
Sheriff Judd‘s patience has officially run out.
“We tried to be friendly we tried to couch we tried to counsel,” he explained but added that the kid-gloves approach is over. “If you have three brain cells you can read the ‘no trespassing sign.'”
Moving forward Marine Patrol officers will increase their presence in the area with Judd promising swift justice for future violations.
“We’re going to put people in jail this weekend for conduct we previously tried to warn you about,” he warned. “I lock y’all up until you figure out you can’t misbehave in the community.”
The sheriff’s message was crystal clear the days of treating Lake Winterset as a lawless playground are over and anyone who thinks otherwise will face the full force of the law.
