POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd detailed the sequence of events during a morning briefing on June 19, 2026. The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Gina Redding of Lake Wales, initially encountered law enforcement while driving near an active utility work zone where crews were repairing downed power lines.
Two deputies had blocked off the roadway to protect the workers. According to investigators, Redding bypassed the safety perimeter anyway. “She drives around the deputy who’s got the road blocked and continues on,” Sheriff Judd said.
A second deputy stationed at the opposite end of the closure intercepted her vehicle. After stopping the car, the deputy issued Redding a traffic citation for the violation…