Florida Jail Nurse Arrested After Cocaine Found During Traffic Stop

A nurse employed at a Florida county jail has been arrested after police allegedly found cocaine during a traffic stop, leaving authorities questioning how someone trusted to care for inmates ended up facing felony drug charges.

David Lindsay Pohl, 50, a contracted nurse working at the South County Jail in Polk County, was arrested Thursday after Winter Haven police say they discovered cocaine inside his vehicle during a routine stop.
The arrest has sparked concern due to his role inside a detention facility where access to controlled medications and vulnerable inmates is part of the job.

What Happened?

According to Winter Haven Police, officers initially stopped Pohl after noticing his vehicle had illegal window tint and had failed to stop at two stop signs.

During the traffic stop, officers reportedly saw Pohl wiping a white substance off his pants.

Police then noticed a white rock-like substance on the driver’s seat, which later field-tested positive for cocaine.
Pohl was charged with:

• Possession of cocaine (third-degree felony)
• Traffic citation for illegal window tint

Worked Inside the Jail System

Authorities confirmed Pohl worked as a nurse for CFG Health Systems, the contracted healthcare provider for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Booking staff reportedly recognized his employer information immediately after his arrest and notified supervisors.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd did not hold back.

“He’s seeing it from the other side of the bars,” Judd said, adding that Pohl is no longer trusted to work inside detention facilities.

That statement alone has fueled public attention.

A Serious Trust Issue

For nurses, stories like this raise difficult questions.

Healthcare professionals — especially those working inside correctional facilities — are held to a high standard because of the sensitive environments they work in.

Jail nurses often have access to:

• Controlled prescription medications
• Vulnerable patients
• Emergency medical situations
• Confidential inmate health records

When a nurse faces drug-related charges, it can quickly damage trust not only in the individual but in the wider system.

No Evidence of Drug Use Inside Jail — Yet

At this stage, authorities say there is no evidence that Pohl brought illegal substances into the jail or used drugs while on duty.

But investigators have not ruled out further review of his employment history.

It also remains unclear how long he had worked inside the Polk County jail system.

What Happens Next?

Pohl now faces a felony case in Florida.

In addition to criminal proceedings, he could also face:

• Professional board investigation
• Suspension or loss of nursing license
• Employment termination
• Restrictions on future correctional healthcare work

For now, the case remains a reminder that nurses, especially those in high-security environments, are expected to uphold the law both on and off duty.

Because in healthcare — trust is everything.