What started as a routine internal review within Polk County Utilities quickly turned into a year-long theft investigation involving government equipment, international shipping, and plans to permanently relocate overseas.
According to a sworn affidavit, Polk County Utilities leadership contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in August after discovering that a county employee—identified as Cody Diehl, a lead operator with the Utilities Bio-Wizard team—had allegedly been quietly diverting county assets for more than a year.
Detectives say Diehl built a close relationship with members of a Colombian utilities team after participating in an international competition with them. After returning home, Diehl allegedly began coordinating what he portrayed as a “donation drive,” claiming Polk County would be sending equipment to help their Colombian counterparts.
Supervisors reportedly told him no county equipment was authorized for donation.
Despite that, investigators say Diehl:
• Opened communication with an international freight company
• Arranged a shipping container to be sent from Polk County to Colombia
• Loaded the container with new and used county-owned utility equipment
• Used his county-issued purchasing card to acquire additional items
• Acted alone by timing the shipments during his weekend work shifts
A detailed inventory completed during the investigation documented an estimated $63,056.25 in government equipment removed and shipped overseas. Of that amount, approximately $17,000 in items were allegedly purchased using Diehl’s government purchasing card.
Inside Diehl’s desk, investigators found handwritten plans outlining his intent to move to Colombia, including notes on cost-of-living, transportation, and living arrangements.
In April 2025, Diehl coordinated the pickup of the shipping container and had it transported to Port Everglades for export. Once it arrived in Colombia, authorities there immediately placed it on hold due to improper import documentation. The container remained held for months and accumulated roughly $58,000 in storage penalties, according to the affidavit.
County officials attempted to recover the stolen equipment, but the container was ultimately seized by the Colombian government, resulting in a complete loss of all assets inside.
Diehl’s Statements
During a recorded interview, Diehl admitted:
• He arranged the shipment
• He placed the official seal and lock on the container
• The items inside belonged to Polk County
• He acted alone
He reportedly told investigators he believed the equipment was being “loaned” to Colombia and would eventually be returned — but he could not provide a single document, approval, or agreement showing the County or the Colombian government had authorized such a loan.
Detectives pointed out that his own emails and statements before shipment referred to the equipment as a donation, not a loan.
Based on the investigation, Diehl is accused of carrying out a year-long, intentional plan to steal county property and traffic it internationally. He is charged with violating:
• F.S. 812.019(2) – Dealing in stolen property
• F.S. 817.034(4)(A)1 – Organized fraud
According to the affidavit, the theft occurred continuously from April 2024 through April 2025.
Should get what happens to all traitors. Firing squad.