Several law enforcement agencies from the federal, state and county level have joined forces with the hopes of catching alleged sexual predators. While the operation spans across nine counties, including Polk, Pinellas and Sarasota counties, the message is the same: “We’re going to get you.” The message was made loud…
A New York high-security prison guard is accused of purchasing a purple Rapunzel costume from a Disney store and sending it to Florida in February as part of a plan to have sex with an 11-year-old girl, according to a federal complaint. The 34-year-old man allegedly answered an online ad…
A Pinellas Park firefighter has been arrested for selling and possessing prescription drugs, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives began to investigate after allegedly receiving a tip that the 38-year-old Largo man was selling prescription drugs. Police arranged a purchase from the man Friday evening. The man was…
Florida will have 159 new laws starting Tuesday that address various issues, including college tuition, corporate tax credits, abortions and sex offenders. One of the most prevalent laws is one that aims to protect children and others from dangerous sex offenders. The laws are intended to keep the most violent…
On Wednesday, New Hampshire’s highest court ruled that the state infringed the free speech rights of a man who wished to have “COPSLIE” on his license plate. The state Supreme Court agreed with the arguments of the man in a unanimous decision. The man said he wanted the vanity plate…
A four-day child predator investigation in Pinellas County that involved local, state and federal investigators resulted in 35 arrests. The sting, dubbed “Operation Home Alone,” targeted people seeking minors online for sexual relations. The suspects, ranging between 19 and 65 years of age, are from Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Manatee…
A 44-year-old Largo woman was sentenced to four years in federal prison on Thursday for defrauding student financial aid and filing false claims with the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, the Court also ordered her to pay restitution to the IRS, in the amount of $110,971, and to the Federal Stafford…
A 56-year-old St. Petersburg property owner was recently indicted on charges that he failed to make tenants aware of the dangers of lead paint in their apartments, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tampa. The Tierra Verde man has been charged with four counts of failing to provide approved…
FBI agents have charged a Pinellas County chef with federal child pornography charges after he allegedly admitted he made sexually explicit videos of a 3-year-old girl he was babysitting. The 27-year-old Dunedin man apparently sent online chat messages under his name that graphically describe “training” a 3-year-old to perform a…
St. Petersburg, FL – A 23-year-old man was arrested Nov. 15 for aggravated child abuse after authorities claim he caused a laceration to a 4-year-old boy’s kidney while the child was in his care. Deputies claim the man hit the young boy so hard that he urinated blood. The boy…