BARTOW, FL – June 28, 2026 — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd highlighted an unusual battery arrest during his morning briefing, discussing a Bartow man accused of striking his ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend while all three were sleeping in the same bed.
According to Sheriff Judd, John Robert Simpson (DOB: 12/20/1967) had been allowed to stay at the home with his ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend.
According to the arrest affidavit, Simpson, his ex-girlfriend, and her current boyfriend (the victim) were all sleeping in the same bed when the victim reportedly rolled over in his sleep and bumped into Simpson. The affidavit states that Simpson then intentionally swung at and struck the victim while he was asleep.
During the morning briefing, Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized that, “there was no hanky panky going on,” explaining that the three were simply sharing the bed. The incident was reported to the Bartow Police Department the following morning.
Simpson was arrested and charged with felony battery (battery with a prior conviction), a third-degree felony, under Florida Statute 784.03(2).
Sheriff Judd concluded the morning briefing by saying, “No good deed goes unpunished,” referring to the victim’s decision to allow Simpson to stay at the home. Nothing further at this time.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE & ARREST AFFIDAVIT
