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Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office mourns loss of Deputy Brown
TAMPA, Florida - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is mourning the loss of Deputy Brown. Sheriff Chad Chronister visited the Orient Road Jail to meet with colleagues of the late deputy.The Sheriff's Office emphasized the importance of unity and support during these challenging times. "In difficult times, it is important to remember that support and services are available and that no one in our HCSO family faces challenges alone," stated the Sheriff's Office.Sheriff Chronister's visit underscores the department's commitment to standing together and supporting one another through adversity.
Florida victim recovers over $10,000 in cryptocurrency romance scam
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - More than $10,000 has been returned to a victim of a cryptocurrency-based romance scam, the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) announced today. In October 2023, an arrest warrant was issued against Sunday Adebola, a Nigerian national, charging him with grand theft, scheme to defraud, money laundering, fraudulent use of a money service business, and stolen valor for his role in the scam. Adebola faces up to 30 years in prison if he attempts to enter the United States. As part of the case, 10,348.982117 Tether assets were seized. Following the arrest warrant, an Alachua County judge ordered...
Kissimmee man sentenced to over 15 years for firearm possession
KISSIMMEE, Florida - U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Edward Charlesalton Chappell, a 41-year-old from Kissimmee, to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. Chappell, who entered a guilty plea on June 17, 2024, was also ordered to forfeit the firearms and ammunition used in the offense. According to court documents, on July 13, 2022, a state search warrant was executed at a hotel room occupied by Chappell after he sold fentanyl to an undercover agent. Inside the hotel room, agents located cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other...
11-year-old arrested for bringing knife to school in Florida, planned attack on fellow student
PALATKA, Florida - An 11-year-old student at Browning Pearce Elementary School was arrested Thursday morning for bringing a weapon to school, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.Kimberly Duran-Santiago, 11, was charged with a third-degree felony after a student notified school administration that she had a knife in her backpack. The investigation revealed that Duran-Santiago planned to use the cleaver-style, fixed-blade kitchen knife on another student who was talking to her boyfriend, the sheriff's office stated."I am truly at a loss for words that someone this young is so full of anger and hate she would bring a knife to school to do physical, possibly permanent harm to another child," Sheriff H.D. Gator DeLoach said.Duran-Santiago was taken to the Putnam County Jail and later released to her parents, as the charges did not qualify for acceptance to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Under Florida public records laws, a juvenile's name and photo can be released if charged with a felony crime.The sheriff's office noted that the photo of the knife is in an evidence box, not how it arrived at school.
Florida deputies find drugs hidden in suspect's underwear during traffic stop
BREVARD COUNTY, Florida - A traffic stop on Tropical Trail led to the discovery of various drugs hidden in a suspect's underwear, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.Deputy Sean Maze stopped TeDarius Juitt for a non-moving violation, and K-9 Deputy Don Eri's partner, Dolly, alerted to the presence of narcotics during a free air sniff of the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed approximately 16.98 grams of a substance that tested positive as cocaine base, 5.53 grams of a substance that tested positive as ecstasy, and 3.8 grams of a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.Juitt, who had hidden the...
Former coach arrested for multiple sex offenses involving children in Florida
OCALA, Florida - A former Boys and Girls Club basketball coach was arrested on multiple charges related to child sex offenses, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.Carl Philip Lombardo, a 58-year-old resident of Ocala, was taken into custody on charges including Human Trafficking of a Child for Commercial Sexual Activity, Interference with Child Custody, Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Victim less than 12 Years of Age, Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Victim between 12 and 16 Years of Age, Lewd and Lascivious Exhibition, and two counts each of Production of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography,...
Tampa secures $1 million USDOT grant for transit and housing initiatives
TAMPA, Florida - The City of Tampa has been awarded a $1 million Technical Assistance Grant from the US Department of Transportation, aimed at addressing the region's transit and housing needs. The grant, part of the Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program (IFACGP), is funded through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This financial boost will support the Tampa Bay Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) office, facilitating major transit and transit-oriented development (TOD) projects by leveraging public-private partnerships and subsidized construction costs. "We are so grateful to our federal partners who recognize the potential that lies within the Tampa region. We...
Two Volusia County students arrested for Snapchat school shooting threat
PIERSON, Florida - Two Volusia County students have been arrested on felony charges after posting a school shooting threat on Snapchat, which they later claimed was a joke. The School Resource Deputy at Taylor Middle-High School responded Wednesday after the post was reported. Seventeen-year-old Trinity Mack sent a photo on Snapchat stating, "Imma shoot up the school," with her school laptop visible in the background. Sixteen-year-old Brayden Severance replied, "Same." This incident occurred immediately after Taylor Middle-High School broadcast an announcement to the entire student body, warning that all threats are taken seriously and that "jokes" can lead to expulsion and arrest. "Again. 2 more @volusiaschools students locked up for a ‘joke' threat. It's a felony. This was RIGHT AFTER their school played our message about how serious we take these ‘jokes.' Just unbelievable," tweeted Sheriff Mike Chitwood. Both students were taken into custody on a felony charge of making a written threat of a mass shooting, transported to the Volusia Family Resource Center for processing, and then transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice to be held in secure detention.
Black potbellied pig impounded in Volusia County
ORMOND BEACH, Florida - A black potbellied pig with a white face has been impounded in Volusia County and is available for adoption if not redeemed within three business days. The pig, weighing approximately 50 pounds, was impounded on August 29, 2024, at 1341 Fairway Avenue, Ormond Beach, according to a press release from the Volusia Sheriff's Office. The cost of impoundment is $35, with an additional fee of $15 per day thereafter. For more information, contact Peter A. D. McGlashan, General Counsel at the Volusia Sheriff's Office, located at 123 W. Indiana Avenue, 4th Floor, DeLand, FL 32124. He can be reached by telephone at (386) 736-5961 or by fax at (386) 822-5074.
Illegal immigrant charged in Santa Rosa Beach shooting; no injuries reported
WALTON COUNTY, Florida - An illegal immigrant from Mexico has been charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle in Santa Rosa Beach on Wednesday. No injuries were reported following the incident. Wednesday afternoon, Walton County Sheriff's Office was called to Bella Boulevard after a report of a shooting in the area. Witnesses told deputies that Jose Cruz Michua, a 29-year-old from Mexico, stopped in a pickup truck in front of an address where they were working and fired two shots into the air from a handgun. Witnesses indicated this has been an ongoing feud between those involved. During the...
Tampa City Center earns gold-level LEED certification for sustainability efforts
TAMPA, Florida - The City of Tampa's City Center at Hanna Avenue has achieved gold-level LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) on its first anniversary. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification recognizes the City Center's commitment to sustainability, resilience, and equity. LEED is a globally recognized green building certification program that promotes environmentally friendly spaces. Florida ranked among the top states for LEED certification in 2023, though only a small percentage of buildings achieve gold or platinum levels. "Home of the first publicly-available electric vehicle charging stations in East Tampa and the largest rooftop...
Retired Florida state senator and former Alachua County sheriff passes away at 76, leaving behind a legacy of public service
ALACHUA COUNTY, Florida - Retired Florida State Senator and former Alachua County Sheriff Stephen M. Oelrich passed away late Monday night, September 16, according to a press release from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.Oelrich, 76, served in the Florida Senate from 2006 to 2012, representing Senate District 14, which included Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Union Counties, and parts of Columbia, Levy, Marion, and Putnam Counties. He held several key positions, including Chair of the Higher Education Committee and Vice Chair of the Military Affairs and Domestic Security Committee.Oelrich began his law enforcement career as a police officer in St. Petersburg and...
Tampa man arrested for second time in diesel fuel theft scheme
TAMPA, Florida - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man for 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, Jesus Alvarez-Moreno, 26, and detected a strong diesel odor, according to a press release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. 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...
Two Florida men sentenced to life for child pornography offenses
GAINESVILLE, Florida - Two individuals have been sentenced for child pornography offenses, according to Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Timothy Frederick Murphy-Johnson, a 40-year-old resident of Gainesville, Florida, received a life sentence in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of interstate transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity, one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography, and two counts of production of child pornography. Olivia Ashford Henn, a 21-year-old resident of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to 276 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to produce child...
Tampa to celebrate World Car-Free Day with events and activities
TAMPA, Florida - Tampa will celebrate its second annual World Car-Free Day on September 22, 2024, with a series of events and activities across the city. Joining more than 2,000 cities in 46 countries, Tampa's celebration will feature Activation Zones in three neighborhoods connected by a 6-mile bike-friendly route showcasing some of the city's best bicycling infrastructure. Participants are encouraged to arrive by walking, cycling, scooting, or taking transit, though they can also come by car and rent a ride to experience Tampa in a different way. "Last year was such a great success. We had great turnout and raised...
Man arrested in Hillsborough County for trafficking lethal amount of fentanyl
TAMPA, Florida - A man has been arrested in Hillsborough County for trafficking over 100 grams of fentanyl, enough to kill more than 50,000 people.During a traffic stop, deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office discovered the large quantity of fentanyl. "I commend our deputies for their proactive patrol in our community," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "This potentially routine traffic stop removed enough fentanyl to kill 51,500 people from our streets and ensures this dangerous man can no longer spread this poison here in Hillsborough County," stated Chronister.
Student arrested for bringing BB gun to Wharton High School
TAMPA, Florida - A student at Wharton High School was arrested after a tip led authorities to discover a BB gun in his possession. On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at approximately 9 a.m., a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) School Resource deputy received a tip from a concerned parent about a student potentially carrying a firearm at the school. An administrative search revealed that Janarion Hart, 16, had a CO2 BB gun tucked in his waistband. Through investigative means, deputies learned that Hart had displayed the firearm in his waistband to multiple students, representing it as a real firearm and...
Tallahassee police sergeant retires after 23 years of dedicated service
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Sergeant David Northway has retired after more than 23 years of dedicated service with the Tallahassee Police Department."We're thankful for his service and proud of his career accomplishments. Congrats, Dave! We hope you enjoy your retirement," stated the department.
Florida man pleads guilty to producing child exploitation material
MIAMI, Florida - Blaine Korbin Hulten, 23, of Fort Pierce, Florida, pled guilty on Sept. 13 to producing visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors. According to court records, Hulten engaged in sexual acts with a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old minor, recording the act with the 16-year-old victim. Social media records revealed Hulten's conversations with both minors and indicated he was aware they were under 18. Hulten distributed the recording of the 16-year-old victim via a social media platform. Hulten is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 18 before U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg. He faces up to...
Guatemalan man arrested for attempting to entice minor in Ocala
OCALA, Florida - A Guatemalan man has been arrested on charges of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to the United States Attorney's Office. Reagan Morales Roblero, a 37-year-old from Guatemala, faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years and up to life in federal prison if convicted. He is currently detained pending the resolution of the criminal case. According to court documents, an undercover special agent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) posed online as a 13-year-old girl in July 2024. Morales Roblero engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the agent throughout July and August....
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