A former Polk County Sheriff's deputy is accused of turning his timecard into a personal ATM, and now he is sitting in jail because of it. Investigators say 25-year-old Ezekiel Williams falsified his hours, collected pay for time he never worked, and now faces multiple felony counts while being held on bond.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Williams was approved for light duty at Animal Control on March 24, 2026. His schedule was set for Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Mondays reserved for PTO and FMLA medical appointments. A full payroll audit later found that across three separate pay periods, he allegedly claimed 131.5 hours he did not work, which investigators say translated into $4,318.39 in unearned pay. Detectives arrested him on May 20, 2026, on multiple charges.
Sheriff Grady Judd did not mince words in the agency's release, writing, “This deputy was injured off-duty, and we gave him every opportunity to handle his medical issues and continue to work on light-duty status. The thanks he gave to us in return was to steal our money. Now he is looking at jail from the inside out.” Williams, who was hired on May 21, 2024, resigned after the internal investigation and is being held on a $20,000 bond, according to the sheriff's office.
Supervisor Flagged Absences, Audit Followed
According to FOX 13, trouble started when Williams began calling out frequently in April. His Animal Control supervisor raised concerns the chain of command, which led to a closer look at his timekeeping and ultimately the full audit that uncovered the alleged bogus hours.
West Orlando News later republished the sheriff's account on July 12, highlighting the same hours, dollar amount, and list of charges cited by the agency.
What the Charges Mean
Williams is charged with scheming to defraud, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, grand theft, and official misconduct, all classified as third-degree felonies. Under Florida law, a third-degree felony can carry a sentence of up to five years in prison along with fines, according to the Florida Statutes.
Next Steps
The case now moves into the Polk County court system, where prosecutors are expected to file formal charging documents and a judge will set an arraignment date along with other hearings. Local outlets and the sheriff's office have indicated they will release scheduling updates and additional case details as they become available.
