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Illegal Immigrant Arrested After Squatting In Eloise Home: Polk County Sheriff

Story by Maria Hernandez

• 2h • 2 min read


Christian Javier Almanza Rosales© Tampa Free Press

POLK COUNTY, Fla. - A man in the United States illegally has been arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's Office after he was found living in an unoccupied Eloise residence without permission and had even illegally reconnected the electrical service.
Christian Javier Almanza Rosales, 29, a Mexican national, was taken into custody on Thursday, August 21, 2025. He faces multiple charges, which have been enhanced to the next higher degree due to his unlawful presence in the country. The charges include Burglary of a Dwelling (F1), Theft of Utility Services (F3), Possession of Methamphetamine (F3), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).

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According to a report from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to a home on 1st Street West in Eloise after a property manager reported an unknown individual's presence. Upon arrival, detectives discovered that Rosales had unlawfully reconnected the home's electrical service, using stolen electricity to power the lights and air conditioning.
Inside the residence, deputies also found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, which Rosales admitted belonged to him.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd commented on the arrest, stating, "Christian Rosales was basically living in a home illegally while living in the United States illegally. We took him out of the house, and ICE will be taking him out of the country in the near future."

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Detectives said that Rosales moved to Polk County from North Carolina approximately three years ago and has been in the United States for about five years. Following his legal proceedings, he will be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation.

Illegal Immigrant Arrested After Squatting In Eloise Home: Polk County Sheriff