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Northwest Florida deputies teach de-escalation techniques to health department staff
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Florida - Deputies from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office recently conducted a De-escalation and Positive Interactions class for staff at the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County.Deputy Brian Muhlbach and Sgt. Jessica Trimboli, both de-escalation instructors, led the session. Drawing on their law enforcement experience and specialized training, they shared tools and strategies used by law enforcement to help Health Department staff effectively resolve challenging situations they may encounter."We're proud to help support our community partners," stated the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.
Florida man sentenced to 10 years for firearm possession as a felon
TAMPA, Florida - U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Robert Pugh, a 34-year-old from Clearwater, to 10 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Pugh to forfeit a Taurus firearm, a Sig Sauer firearm, and assorted rounds of ammunition, which were possessed in connection with the offense. Pugh entered a guilty plea on June 20, 2024. According to court documents, on January 3, 2024, officers from the Clearwater Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence where Pugh resided with his co-defendant, Leon Williams. The...
Ocala man sentenced to over seven years for firearm possession
OCALA, Florida - United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced 23-year-old Jordan Karod Goodman, of Ocala, to seven years and eight months in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Goodman entered a guilty plea on June 10, 2024. According to court documents, on November 13, 2023, officers from the Ocala Police Department responded to a shooting at a convenience store. An officer observed Goodman running in the area and wearing a black ski mask. When ordered to stop, Goodman refused. He eventually fell and was detained by the officers. A Glock...
Tampa man charged with vehicular homicide following fatal crash earlier this month
TAMPA, Florida - A Tampa man has been charged with vehicular homicide following a fatal crash that occurred earlier this month. Charles Williams IV, a 22-year-old resident of Tampa, was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide for the death of Corey Koeppen, a 52-year-old resident of Tampa, according to a press release from the Tampa Police Department. The incident took place at 10:02 a.m. on September 11, 2024, when a silver Infinity sedan and a white Ford Ranger collided on 1st Avenue South at 51st Street South. The crash caused both vehicles to leave the road, and Koeppen, the driver of the Ford Ranger, was ejected from his vehicle and died at the scene. Williams, the driver of the Infinity, was transported to a local hospital, where he was listed in serious but stable condition. The eastbound lanes on 1st Avenue South and the northbound and southbound lanes on 51st Street South were closed for more than five hours due to the investigation, according to the press release. The investigation remains open and active.
Kentucky man charged with DUI following crash in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
SANTA ROSA BEACH, Florida - A Kentucky man was charged with DUI after a crash on Sunday afternoon, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office.The incident occurred just after 2 p.m. on September 15th on 30A near Hilltop Drive. One patient was transported with serious but non-life-threatening injuries after being extricated from an SUV.The driver of the second vehicle, 39-year-old Gregory Michael Calvin, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, was arrested for driving under the influence with property damage and injury to another. At the time of his arrest, Calvin's blood alcohol level was .333, four times the legal limit.Calvin was transported and booked into the Walton County Jail, where he awaits his first appearance.
Teenager arrested in fatal shooting at Citrus Park Town Center Mall in Tampa
TAMPA, Florida - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a teenager in connection to the fatal shooting at the Citrus Park Town Center Mall on Saturday, September 14, 2024. Through investigative means, detectives determined an altercation occurred between two groups of juvenile males following a planned "slapboxing" event in the parking garage. Detectives learned that following the group's mutual involvement in "slapboxing," the juveniles shook hands and parted ways. However, a short time later, individuals from both groups reunited outside of the Citrus Park Town Center Mall, and a fight broke out. After an extensive and detailed investigation, detectives...
Fort Myers man pleads guilty to drug distribution conspiracy
FORT MYERS, Florida - Durand Dijuon Demetiu Colbert, a 34-year-old resident of Fort Myers, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Colbert faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, according to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, Colbert conspired with an individual in California to distribute various controlled substances, including methamphetamine and fentanyl, in the Lee County area. The California-based individual, residing in Los Angeles, supplied Colbert with the controlled substances, which were then sent to Florida through the U.S. mail or other packaging carriers. On November 17, 2023, the Lee County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at Colbert's residence, where they found approximately 1,700 fentanyl pills. Additionally, on November 28, 2023, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted multiple packages containing methamphetamine sent from Los Angeles to Colbert in Fort Myers. The case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.
Man arrested for first-degree murder following fatal shooting in Lake Mary, deputies say
LAKE MARY, Florida - Deputies arrested a man in connection with a fatal shooting in unincorporated Lake Mary on September 18, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.At approximately 11:18 PM, deputies responded to reports of shots fired at 497 Sun Lake Circle. Witnesses reported hearing male voices arguing, followed by a gunshot. Upon arrival, deputies found Larreon Da'Quan Cosby, 31, of Lake Mary, with a gunshot wound on the porch area of the apartment. The Seminole County Fire Department pronounced Cosby deceased at the scene.Cosby's girlfriend informed deputies that her ex-boyfriend, 25-year-old Bratcher, called her stating he was going...
Tampa man arrested for second time in diesel fuel theft scheme, deputies say
TAMPA, Florida - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man for allegedly stealing diesel fuel. On September 17, 2024, at approximately 11:15 p.m., deputies responded to an alert about a vehicle with a stolen Florida tag near Progress Boulevard and Falkenburg Road. Deputies made contact with the driver, 26-year-old Jesus Alvarez-Moreno, of Tampa, Florida, and detected a strong diesel odor. A search of the vehicle revealed it had been modified to steal diesel from underground fuel tanks. Inside, deputies found a 300-gallon plastic cube container, two 55-gallon plastic drums, and car batteries. Two of the drums contained fuel....
Detectives seek publics help to identify suspect in Jordan Park shooting in St. Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida - Detectives are seeking the public's help to identify a young man captured in a photograph related to a shooting incident in the Jordan Park area. On August 31, police responded to a shots fired call in Jordan Park. Upon arrival, officers discovered that an apartment and a vehicle had been struck by bullets, though no injuries were reported, according to a press release from the St. Petersburg Police Department. Detectives believe that a resident of the area was the intended target. Surveillance video reviewed by investigators showed the young man in possession of a firearm shortly before the shooting. An individual wearing similar clothing and a mask was seen on video firing a weapon toward the victim. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Anthony McGann at (727) 893-7342. To remain anonymous, text SPPD + your tip to TIP411.
Miami police officer sentenced for PPP and EIDL loan fraud
MIAMI, Florida - A Miami-Dade Police Department officer has been sentenced to four months in prison for wire fraud related to fraudulent loan applications. Samuel Harris, a 43-year-old officer with the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola Jr. to four months in prison, followed by four months of home detention, after pleading guilty to wire fraud. Harris, who also owned and operated Oregen Digital, Inc., submitted false applications for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and an EIDL advance. According to the facts admitted at the...
Sebring man pleads guilty to cocaine trafficking conspiracy
MIAMI, Florida - Hubert Ramon Santiesteban, 55, of Sebring, Florida, has pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. According to court records, Santiesteban negotiated the purchase of 30 kilograms of cocaine. In April 2023, Highlands County Sheriff's Office detectives observed Santiesteban and a co-conspirator preparing for the transaction at Santiesteban's residence. During a FaceTime call, Santiesteban and his co-conspirator showed undercover law enforcement large amounts of U.S. currency intended for the cocaine purchase. A search of Santiesteban's property revealed $418,000 hidden in a...
Fort Myers man pleads guilty to firearm possession as a felon
FORT MYERS, Florida - Marquis Lamar Kitchen, a 38-year-old from Fort Myers, has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, according to the United States Attorney's Office. Kitchen faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison, though a sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, on March 21, 2024, officers from the Fort Myers Police Department observed a vehicle moving erratically and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle continued for a few blocks before stopping, and officers observed a male with braided hair, later identified as Kitchen, switch seats...
Threat of school shooting circulates on social media, Flagler County Sheriff's Office investigates
PALM COAST, Florida - The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating a threat circulating on social media about a school shooting.The threat, mainly shared on Snapchat, does not name a specific school. According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, there are no credible threats to any specific school at this time.
Fort Pierce man sentenced to 70 months for firearm possession as a convicted felon
MIAMI, Florida - Jacob Elijah Groover, a 26-year-old from Fort Pierce, Florida, has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. In October 2022, during a car stop related to a drug investigation, Martin County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered a Glock 19 9mm firearm under the driver's seat of the car Groover was driving. Groover admitted the firearm was his and acknowledged he was aware of his status as a convicted felon, which prohibited him from possessing a firearm. The sentencing was handed down by...
Florida man to pay nearly $700,000 after pleading guilty to understated tax filings
OCALA, Florida - Richard Underwood has pleaded guilty to three counts of filing false tax returns, according to United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Underwood faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, Underwood's tax returns from 2017 to 2019 overstated certain business expenses incurred by his company, KDG Consulting, Inc. Each year, these falsely reported expenses significantly reduced Underwood's business income, which ranged from about $530,000 to $780,000, by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Underwood's fraudulent conduct caused his taxable income to drop to $0 in 2017 and 2018, and $7,110 in 2019. As part of his plea agreement, Underwood has agreed to pay $680,141 plus interest to the Internal Revenue Service, reflecting the taxes he failed to pay during those years. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Callaos.
Hillsborough deputy killed in tragic crash with semi-truck on U.S. 301, community mourns
THONOTOSASSA, Florida - A Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy was killed in a fatal crash involving a semi-truck on U.S. Highway 301.Deputy Darell Brown, a 40-year-old resident of Thonotosassa, died on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at approximately 7:45 a.m. The collision occurred just north of Stacy Road, according to a press release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO).Brown joined HCSO in January 2015 and served as a detention deputy in both detention facilities. Most recently, he worked in the Booking Unit at the Orient Road Jail."Our hearts break for the family, friends, and loved ones of Deputy Brown as...
Guatemalan man sentenced to 18 months for firearm possession in Florida
OCALA, Florida - United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced 23-year-old Juan Dionicio Romero-Mendez, of Guatemala, to 18 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by an alien illegally and unlawfully present in the United States. Romero-Mendez entered a guilty plea on June 10, 2024. According to court documents, he was involved in a traffic collision in Marion County in January 2024. During the investigation of the collision, Romero-Mendez was found to be in possession of a Chiappa Firearms pistol. As he is not legally or lawfully in the United States, federal law prohibits him from...
Two Mellon Learning Center students arrested for threats involving weapons in Putnam County
PALATKA, Florida - Two students at Mellon Learning Center were arrested and charged with making false reports of a weapon of mass destruction, a second-degree felony.Jamez Coulter, a 13-year-old student, began crafting a gun out of clay and other materials during the school day, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. Coulter then pointed the clay gun at another student and, when confronted by a teacher, threatened to bring a shotgun and extra ammunition to school the next day. As Coulter was being removed from the classroom, 14-year-old Jaiyden Turbeville stated he would bring his gun as well.Both students have...
Deputy killed in crash mourned by Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office
THONOTOSASSA, Florida - A Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy was killed in a fatal crash involving a semi-truck on U.S. Highway 301, the department announced. Deputy Darell Brown, a 40-year-old, died on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at approximately 7:45 a.m. north of Stacy Road. Brown, who joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) in January 2015, served as a detention deputy in both detention facilities and most recently in the Booking Unit at the Orient Road Jail. "Our hearts break for the family, friends, and loved ones of Deputy Brown as they navigate this incomprehensible loss," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "This...
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