The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged Richard Cordial with Aggravated Battery Of A Person Under 18, Possession Of A Weapon, Carrying Concealed Weapon and Disrupting A School.
Below is an excerpt from the arrest affidavit. Remember a suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty.
“On 09/19/23, while assigned as the school resource officer at Auburndale High School, the suspect and victim entered the common area bathroom located in the 700 building of Auburndale High School during class change. The suspect and victim entered into a physical altercation. During the altercation, the suspect brandished an 11-and-a-half-inch white-handled steak knife from under his waist. The knife was concealed inside the suspect pants. The suspect placed the knife against the victim’s neck. The victim noticed the suspect had a knife and attempted to push the suspect off him and call for help.
As a result of the altercation, school staff had to leave their posts to stop the altercation.
It was found that the suspect was in possession of a weapon on school campus and was carrying the weapon in a concealed manner to avoid being caught. The suspect brandished and knowingly and intently used the weapon with the intent to cause bodily harm.
The suspect has prior arrest history with teen court diversion for pulling a fire alarm at a school facility”
Editors Note: This past August the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with municipalities and the Polk County School Board, started taking over certain schools resource officer duties. Auburndale High School was one of those schools.