Sheriff Grady Judd has seen his share of Florida mayhem during his time in law enforcement.
But even this seasoned veteran was shocked by what happened at Lake Winterset.
And Sheriff Grady Judd delivered one warning about lake brawlers that left troublemakers white as a ghost.
Sheriff Judd watches video evidence of chaotic lakeside melee
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd thought he’d seen everything during his decades in law enforcement.
Then a cell phone video surfaced on social media showing eight men engaged in a brutal lakeside brawl that knocked two people unconscious.
The August 2 fight at Lake Winterset left families traumatized and children witnessing violence that would give adults nightmares.
“It’s over folks . . . the conduct is reprehensible,” Judd declared during a Tuesday press briefing. “And obviously you don’t believe us when we try to warn you so you have unleashed the teeth of the dog and now we’re going to start biting you, just like we bit these guys here.”
When deputies got the call around 3 p.m., they rushed to the scene only to discover the troublemakers had already taken off in their boats.
The situation got much worse when the disturbing footage began circulating online.
The violence erupted when one man threw a devastating punch that instantly dropped another fighter unconscious.
Pure mayhem followed as a woman rushed from the waterline to give CPR to the unconscious victim while another man got blindsided with a sucker punch that sent him tumbling headfirst into the water.
But what made this incident especially disturbing was that children were watching the entire spectacle unfold from nearby boats.
Lake has become a magnet for troublemakers and trespassers
Sheriff Judd explained that Lake Winterset has been dealing with ongoing problems from rowdy boaters who treat private property like their personal playground.
The eight men arrested were identified as Mason Land, 23; Nate Land, 21; Payton Ely, 19; Timothy Gooding, 21; Richard Carden, 40; Garrett Ore, 22; Garrett Hiltabidel, 21; and a 17-year-old whose name wasn’t released.
According to the sheriff’s office, one name appeared differently in some reports – Timothy Gooding was also listed as Timothy “Owen” Goodling in certain documents.
All face charges for rioting, affray, trespassing, and disorderly conduct, with Timothy Gooding receiving an additional charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The fight stemmed from bad blood between two groups that used to be friends until a March brawl at El Rodeo Bar resulted in criminal charges against some members.
“Some in the group resented those charges,” Judd explained, adding that investigators are even looking into possible evidence tampering.
But this wasn’t just about settling old scores – it highlighted a much bigger problem that’s been plaguing Lake Winterset for months.
Local property owners have complained about constant partying, loud music, and trespassers using their land for everything from fights to public indecency.
“You put one toe on that land this weekend, you’re going to jail,” Judd warned. “You stand in the water and put your finger up on that dry land, and you’re going to go to jail.”
Despite clear “No Trespassing” signs posted throughout the area, boaters continue to ignore the warnings and use private property as their personal party zone.
Families can’t enjoy peaceful lake outings anymore
The real tragedy here goes beyond just the violence – it’s how these troublemakers have destroyed what should be peaceful family time on the water.
One witness described his horror at watching the melee unfold while he was trying to enjoy a peaceful boat ride with his 5-year-old grandson.
The grandfather reported that witnessing the violence completely ruined his family outing and left everyone shaken.
Think about that for a moment. A grandfather trying to create memories with his grandson instead got to explain why grown men were beating each other unconscious while a woman frantically performed CPR.
Property owners around Lake Winterset described the scene as boaters lining up along their seawalls every weekend like it’s some kind of public beach.
“It’s as if someone pulled up with a party and parked in your street in front of your house and had loud music and used your property to get on even though they’re not supposed to,” local resident David Miller told reporters.
Sheriff Judd made it clear that the department’s patience has run out completely.
“If you want to go knuckle-busting and create permanent brain injuries or the ability to have a permanent brain injury . . . you have to do it on your own property without creating a disturbance to your neighbors,” Judd stated.
The sheriff even delivered some practical advice for anyone thinking about testing his department’s resolve.
“Go home and get your bond money together right now . . . Carry it in your pocket. It’ll help you get out of jail quicker,” he suggested.
Legal changes could give sheriff’s office more enforcement power
Currently, boaters can legally stand in the water adjacent to private property – it’s only when they step onto land that trespassing occurs.
But troublemakers have been exploiting this loophole by using waterfront property for fights, parties, and other inappropriate behavior.
Sheriff Judd revealed his office is working with county officials to establish a swim zone that would help monitor and control these activities.
“We asked for a swim zone so we can help monitor this. They unanimously passed it. It has to be passed with the Secretary of State before it takes effect,” Judd explained.
The proposal has been sent through several bureaucratic channels, with questions arising from both the Secretary of State’s office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Judd’s attorneys met with county attorneys to address the state’s concerns and move the process forward.
The sheriff also noted that there’s currently no noise ordinance covering boats on the lake, but plans are in the works to change that as well.
These legal changes could give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on the music-blaring boaters who’ve been disrupting the peace for months.
Troublemakers thinking about testing Sheriff Judd’s resolve should remember his words: “You have unleashed the teeth of the dog and now we’re going to start biting.”
¹ Michael Dorgan, “Florida sheriff rips ‘reprehensible’ lake brawl after 8 arrested,” Fox News, August 13, 2025.
² Alexa Herrera, “Sheriff Judd: Group of men captured on video fighting on private property near lake in Polk County,” WFLA, August 12, 2025.
³ Abigail Lafferty, “8 Florida men arrested in violent lakeside brawl in Polk County, sheriff says,” FOX 35 Orlando, August 12, 2025.
⁴ Gershon Harrell, “Children witness chaotic shoreline brawl as eight arrested by Florida deputies,” CBS12, August 13, 2025.
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Author: rgcory
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