The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 51-year-old Thomas Griffin, a middle school teacher at McLaughlin Middle School in Lake Wales, for burglary with assault, false imprisonment, and battery by strangulation.
 
On December 14, 2024, PCSO deputies responded to a home in Lake Wales to investigate a battery that had just occurred. The victim, an adult male, was in obvious distress when deputies and PCFR arrived on scene. He was examined by PCFR, who determined he required further medical assistance; they transported him to a local hospital, where he was examined and treated by medical staff. 
 
According to the victim’s girlfriend, who was present at the time of the attack, Griffin arrived at her residence, banging on the door and demanding to know where the victim was. The victim attempted to speak with Griffin, who forced his way into the home and attacked the victim. The victim’s girlfriend told deputies she had a prior romantic relationship with Griffin that had ended, and advised that he did not have permission to be at her home. She observed Griffin strike the victim multiple times, and she attempted to protect the victim and stop Griffin’s attack to no avail. The suspect fled the scene after the attack. The woman’s child was also in the home during the altercation. Neither she nor her child were injured.
 
Deputies interviewed the victim at the hospital after he was examined and treated by medical staff. He stated that Griffin grabbed him by the throat, cutting off his ability to breathe, and pinned him against a wall. He also told deputies he was struck in the face multiple times by Griffin with a closed fist, resulting in both bleeding, and one of his teeth being knocked out. Deputies observed the injuries to the victim’s face and arms, and marks on his neck where Griffin had strangled him. 
 
Thomas Griffin was located and arrested on December 17, 2024 by PCSO deputies for burglary with assault (F1), false imprisonment (F3) and battery by strangulation (F3). 
 
"The suspect forced his way into the home and violently attacked the victim. As a teacher, hopefully a former teacher, Griffin holds a position of trust in our community—a trust that has been severely broken. School students should not be exposed to this kind of potential volatile behavior.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
 
According to Polk County Public Schools, Griffin has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. “These allegations are troubling. Polk County Public Schools has placed this employee on leave while an internal investigation takes place.” – Administration, Polk County Public Schools