What started as a routine late-night traffic stop on Spirit Lake Road in Winter Haven turned into a takedown, thanks to a newly sworn K9 team. Deputy Ramos and his K9 partner Apollo helped Polk County deputies arrest a man after officers say they found drugs and a handgun inside the vehicle.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, deputies pulled over the car after learning the driver’s license was suspended. Deputies say they then smelled the odor of marijuana, which prompted them to call in the K9 unit. Once Apollo arrived and went to work, deputies say a man later identified as Jayden Daniels was detained after a brief scuffle with law enforcement.
Give it up for one of our newest K9 teams, Deputy Sheriff Ramos and his partner, Apollo, on a great catch! Last night #WhileYouWereSleeping the team responded to a traffic stop on Spirit Lake Rd in Winter Haven after the initial deputies smelled the odor of marijuana from the https://t.co/2d5ALbyMyK
— Polk County Sheriff 🚔 Grady Judd (@PolkCoSheriff) April 10, 2026
Deputies' account
In a post shared by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on X, the agency says the stop began when deputies discovered the driver had a suspended license and noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. That is when they called for Deputy Ramos and Apollo.
Deputies say that as the stop escalated, Daniels pushed an officer and tried to run. According to the sheriff's post, Apollo moved in, and Daniels then complied with deputies. After the struggle, deputies say they found multiple baggies of marijuana, a black Glock 23 and two loaded magazines inside a tote bag. Daniels was arrested and booked on several charges.
Charges and consequences
Polk County deputies say Daniels faces charges including resisting arrest with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
Under Florida law, possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon is a second-degree felony that can carry up to 15 years in prison and fines, according to Florida Statutes Section 790.23. Any eventual sentence, including whether mandatory minimums come into play, will be up to prosecutors and the courts.
K9 teams and community notes
The sheriff's post did not miss the chance to spotlight the department's new four-legged star, applauding Deputy Ramos and Apollo for their work and encouraging followers to send Apollo "virtual hugs" in a nod to #NationalHugYourDogDay, according to the post on X.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office also maintains an online jail inquiry tool where the public can look up booking and inmate information. Anyone wanting to check current bookings or case status can access the jail inquiry feature on the agency's official website.
