A Lakeland man was arrested Friday by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after an eagle-eyed Polk County School Board (PCSB) employee spotted a PCSB-owned iPad for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
Gerald Lenard Simpson, Jr., 28, of Lakeland, is charged with petit theft, dealing in stolen property, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The incident unfolded when a PCSB employee was browsing Facebook Marketplace and noticed an iPad offered for $100.
Her attention was instantly drawn to the device’s screen, which prominently displayed the Polk County School Board logo, visible in the accompanying photo. Recognizing it as school district property, she immediately alerted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).
Deputies quickly launched an investigation and were able to identify Gerald Simpson, Jr., as the iPad seller. Deputies persevered despite early difficulties in contacting Simpson. To his credit, Simpson returned a deputy’s phone call and volunteered to meet with police officials.
During the meeting, Simpson surrendered the iPad to the officers. He said that he found the item over a year ago and kept it before deciding to sell it.
The iPad, worth $400, was successfully returned to the Polk County School Board. Simpson was taken into jail and brought into Polk County Jail.