Detectives are looking for a former Polk probation officer who is wanted on drug trafficking charges.

William McDonald III, 32, of Lakeland, is wanted for conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, among other charges.

  • William McDonald wanted on several charges, including conspiracy to traffic meth
  • McDonald is a former Polk County probation officer
  • Detectives actively searching for McDonald

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, detectives were investigating Dustin Moyer, 29, for meth trafficking when they noticed a black Ford F250 pull up in the yard in front of a home in Highland City.

Detectives pulled unmarked vehicles in behind the truck with emergency lights activated and blocked the truck from leaving.

Moyer, who was outside, was taken into custody, as was Cleon Ellison, 26, a passenger in the truck. However, the driver of the truck, identified as McDonald, drove through heavy vegetation and a six-foot fence and toward two undercover vehicles, then sped off toward U.S. 98 S and fled the area, the report said. Deputies did not pursue the truck.

Several minutes later, officials reported a crash involving a black pick-up truck at the intersection of State Road 540A and Yarborough Lane. Deputies say a vehicle was side-swiped on the passenger side by the same truck that had fled the arrest in Highland City.

Deputies say no one was injured as a result of the crash.

The truck was tracked back to McDonald, and investigators learned that McDonald was a former Polk County probation officer who was arrested in 2011 for scheming to defraud, grand theft, uttering a forgery and official misconduct. He was sentenced to one year in county jail and is on probation until 2023.

An arrest warrant has been issued for McDonald's arrest. He is also facing charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, reckless driving with property damage, resisting an officer with violence and violation of probation. Detectives are actively looking for him.

Investigators say Moyer was actively buying and selling large quantities of meth. He has been arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamines over 28 grams, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine over 200 grams, resisting with violence, possession of cannabis with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ellison had multiple warrants, including carrying a concealed firearm, possession of cannabis and driving without a valid driver's license.

Anyone with information regarding McDonald is asked to contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS or by visiting heartlandcrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward.