A ring of 74 suspected drug dealers allegedly infiltrating Lake County with cocaine, heroin and prescription pills have been charged with various drug-related charges. These arrests come after a four-month undercover investigation where the Lake County Sheriff’s Office claims the members of the drug ring were caught red handed. The…
Deputies allege that a San Antonio man arranged to meet what he thought was a 13-year-old girl at a Brooksville hotel for sex. The 61-year-old man was arrested Wednesday on charges of attempted lewd and lascivious behavior, traveling to meet/seduce a minor and using a computer to solicit a minor.…
The local chair of American Civil Liberties Union is calling for a federal review of Central Florida’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Ret. Army Col. Mike Pheneger, the chair of the Greater Tampa Chapter of the ACLU, said there are many problems with these “To Catch a Predator”-style undercover…
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 total of 10 people were arrested in an undercover operation cracking down on unlicensed contractors resulting in civil citations totaling $9,675. The sheriff’s office, working with the Hernando County Building Department, conducted a two-day sting from July 1-2 in order to combat what has been called a growing problem.…
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…
A Bradenton police officer was recently arrested for soliciting a prostitute. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has been working undercover for the past few months to catch prostitutes. Deputies targeted both prostitutes and “johns” on websites. Once a price was successfully negotiated, the suspects were arrested. Police claim that on…
Two men were arrested around 3:35 p.m. on Friday after a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputy positioned along State Road 415, in Osteen, noticed a car go by and observed the passenger not wearing his seat belt. The deputy stopped the vehicle and remarked that both men seemed nervous. When asked why…
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and undercover detectives conducted a three day county-wide proactive initiative that focused on repeat offenders, drug offenders, offenders on probation and followed up on crime tips and crime trends. After the three day operation, 101 suspects were arrested and 15 search warrants were served. Of those detained,…