Thomas Griffin, a 51-year-old middle school teacher at McLaughlin Middle School in Lake Wales, was arrested on December 17, 2024, following a violent attack on an adult male. Griffin faces charges of burglary with assault, false imprisonment, and battery by strangulation.
On December 14, 2024, Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies responded to a home in Lake Wales where they found the victim in significant distress. Emergency responders from Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the assault.
According to the victim’s girlfriend, Griffin arrived at her home, demanding to know the victim’s whereabouts. When the victim attempted to engage with Griffin, the suspect forcibly entered the home and attacked him. The girlfriend, who had a prior romantic relationship with Griffin, told deputies that Griffin had no permission to be at her residence. She witnessed Griffin strike the victim multiple times and attempted to intervene, but was unsuccessful. The altercation took place in the presence of the girlfriend’s child, though neither the child nor the woman were harmed.
The victim later told deputies at the hospital that Griffin had grabbed him by the throat, restricting his breathing, and pinned him against a wall. Griffin also struck him repeatedly in the face, causing bleeding and knocking out a tooth. Deputies observed visible injuries consistent with the victim’s account, including marks on his neck from strangulation.
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
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