Bartow officer arrested for sexual conduct with minors

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Police have arrested a Bartow Police Department officer for inappropriate sexual conduct toward four teenagers, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Wednesday during a news conference.

The officer, 24-year-old Markanthony Fernandez, faces several charges, including promoting a sexual performance by a juvenile, assault by strangulation, illegal use of a communications device and more.

“You play stupid, stupid, stupid games, you win stupid, stupid, stupid prizes,” Judd said.

Fernandez had relationships with two 18-year-olds, a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old, Judd said, adding that all attended high schools in the area.

The sheriff’s office said Fernandez showed his colleagues a video in which he instructs one of the teenagers to perform sexual acts on one of the 18-year-olds at his Lake Wales home in February.

Judd said the teens could be seen “in varying states of undress.” Fernandez is also accused of performing sexual acts on the 16-year-old in his home and giving the teens vape pens and gummy bears containing THC.

Officers realized the girls were underage, reported the incident, and an investigation was launched with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on May 8, Judd said.

Bartow Deputy Police Chief Stephen Walker, who accompanied Judd at the conference, said Fernandez’s alleged actions were “very disappointing.” Fernandez was originally hired by the department in 2020 before transferring to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. He worked there until December 2022 before being rehired by the Bartow Police Department.

“Markanthony Fernandez has embarrassed his community, the police department and law enforcement officers everywhere,” Judd said in a statement. “In contrast, his colleagues at the Bartow Police Department did the right thing by reporting his behavior.”

“Markanthony Fernandez must never wear a badge again.”

According to the sheriff’s office, Fernandez was arrested on Tuesday, May 28. He was placed on leave in February and his employment with the Bartow Police Department is pending.