Arrest Warrant Issued for Former Polk County Deputy

An arrest warrant has been issued for a former deputy in Polk County, Florida. Joshua Roeloff, who was charged with two counts of manslaughter in 2022, did not show up for his April trial.

On April 12, 2022, Roeloff allegedly killed 44-year-old Chris Colory and 44-year-old Ricky Gongola, among others involved in the crash. Reports indicate that there was also a third party involved in the incident.

Roeloff’s absence from that court date has raised significant concerns, as he had previously faced the legal system for DUI manslaughter charges. Originally, he was released on a $19,000 bond but vanished before his scheduled appearance.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, during his time as a deputy and lieutenant for about five years, Roeloff was accused of misreporting hours worked back in 2015, which allowed him to receive additional pay.

Video footage reportedly captured the moments prior to the 2022 crash, showing Roeloff driving erratically in a Nissan GT-R, weaving in and out of lanes before colliding with an SUV. The collision left one passenger with severe brain injuries, and he remained in a coma for four months, facing ongoing health issues and needing support.

Interestingly, Roeloff has connections to both Ohio and Michigan, which may factor into his current whereabouts. His legal representation has been contacted, but there hasn’t been a response about his situation.