OH NO: Former black station owner arrested for illegal radio station

This story is almost pitiful… LAKELAND – The former owner of a Winter Haven radio station was arrested Friday after authorities discovered illegal broadcasts coming from a Lakeland motel.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office This photo shows equipment that authorities say was used to operate an illegal radio station.

Frankie Jerome Grover, 53, of 1017 N. Lake Parker Ave. in Lakeland, was charged by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office with one count of unauthorized transmission of a radio frequency. He was booked into the Polk County Jail and later released on a $1,000 bond.

Glover, the one-time owner of WHNR AM-1360 on Dundee Road in Winter Haven, is accused of operating an illegal radio station from three rooms at the Kingston Lakeside Inn motel at 910 E. Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland.

According to the arrest report, an investigation into the radio broadcasts began Sept. 13 when a Sheriff’s Office detective saw a flier advertising a party sponsored by Blazin’ 87.9 Da Biz. With the help of the Federal Communications Commission FCC, the transmission source for 87.9 FM was located at 910 E. Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland, but the FCC showed no broadcasting license for that radio station or that frequency.

Throughout September and October, according to the report, detectives observed and listened to Grover while he ran live Web camera Internet broadcasts of 87.9 FM simultaneously with radio broadcasts. The broadcasts featured morning talk shows, live interviews and R&B, soul, gospel and blues music.

Sheriff’s Office detectives, working in conjunction with the FCC, the Lakeland Police Department and the State Attorney’s Office, served search warrants on rooms 1377, 1378 and 1379 at the Kingston Lakeside Inn motel on Friday.

Glover was arrested, and all of his equipment was seized.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Glover had been renting the rooms for $450 per month and using them for his radio station business.

Broadcasting without an FCC license is a third-degree felony under Florida law.

Grover has one prior arrest in Polk County, according to Polk County Jail records. In 1991, he was charged with one count of assault and one count of battery.