Theodore Murray’s Leon County Mugshot

Theodore “Pink Tie” Murray, a Frost resident who has had run-ins with law enforcement in the past, is running as an independent candidate for Polk County Sheriff against longtime incumbent Grady Judd. Murray speaks from personal experience and his belief that the community deserves a new perspective on law enforcement. Judd, a Republican who has served as sheriff for more than 20 years, is known for his tough-on-crime stance and high visibility in the county. Murray wasn’t thought to have much of a chance, as Polk Sheriff Judd usually won with more than 90% of the vote.

In a wild twist, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office issued an arrest warrant for Murray. Daily Ridge contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for comment. Polk County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Carrie Horstman confirmed they were contacted by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. “Our department received a message this morning from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office stating that Theodore Murray, DOB 3/3/1978, has an active criminal warrant for battery on an emergency medical care provider and is likely on REDACTED in Frostproof. Leon County requested that we send deputies to that address to check if he was there. Deputies found no one at that home and spoke with residents, who told deputies Murray had not lived there for approximately four years. Deputies called his parents, who said they had not had any recent contact with him and did not know where he lived. They told deputies he had no family in Polk County. According to Horstman.

Murray has a history that includes past run-ins with law enforcement. He pleaded no contest and was found guilty of video voyeurism on 14.10.2005. He was also initially charged with the Lewd and Lascicious crimes but was dropped by prosecutors after he pleaded guilty.

This is a developing story and we have reached out to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office for a copy of the arrest warrant. We also reached out to Theodore Murray by phone and text but did not receive a response. Here are a few of Theodore Murray’s mugshots.

Polls end at 19:00 tonight. We will receive the results as soon as we receive them. Our next sheriff might be in jail instead of arresting bad guys.