A former Polk County Sheriff’s deputy is in jail after allegedly using his timecard as a personal ATM. According to investigators, 25-year-old Ezekiel Williams falsified his hours, pocketed cash for time he never worked, and is now facing numerous criminal charges while on bond.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Williams was granted light duty at animal control on March 24, 2026. His schedule was planned for Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Mondays off for PTO and FMLA medical visits. A comprehensive payroll audit later revealed that he reportedly claimed 131.5 hours of unpaid time over three distinct pay periods, which investigators believe amounted to $4,318.39 in unearned income. On May 20, 2026, detectives arrested him on various accusations.
Sheriff Grady Judd stated unequivocally in the agency’s release, “This officer was injured off-duty, and we provided him every opportunity to address his medical issues and continue to work on light-duty status. He thanked us by stealing our money. “Now he sees jail from the inside out. “Williams, who was hired on May 21, 2024, resigned following the internal inquiry and is currently being jailed on a $20,000 bond, according to the sheriff’s office.
According to FOX 13, the problems began when Williams began calling out regularly in April. His Animal Control supervisor expressed worries about the chain of command, prompting a closer look at his timekeeping and, ultimately, a comprehensive audit that revealed the alleged false hours.
On July 12, West Orlando News repeated the sheriff’s statement, stressing the same hours, cash amount, and list of charges as the agency.
Williams is charged with planning to defraud, unauthorized use of a two-way communication device, grand theft, and official misconduct, all of which are third-degree felonies. According to Florida Statutes, a third-degree felony can result in a jail sentence of up to five years plus fines.
The case now advances to Polk County court, where prosecutors are expected to submit formal charging documents and a judge will schedule an arraignment and additional hearings. Local media and the sheriff’s office have stated that they will provide scheduling updates and additional case information as they become available.
Leave a Reply