Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Tallahassee “Ringleader” Charged with Organized Retail Theft
Recently, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced criminal charges against the ringleader of an organized theft ring who allegedly stole nearly half a million dollars in heavy equipment from Florida Home Depot stores. The suspect faces multiple felony charges for stealing stump grinders, trenchers, boom lifts, excavators, and more. The suspect claimed to be… Read More »
Suspects Arrested in Fatal Drive-By Shooting Could Face Florida RICO Charges
You’ve probably heard of RICO being used to bust up organized crime rings. However, did you know that Florida has its own variation on the federal statute that is prominent in many mafia movies? Recently, Seminole County deputies announced that they arrested 13 people and are searching for a 14th after a fatal 2023… Read More »
Two Men Charged in Felony Burglary
Culpeper police have charged two Florida men with multiple felonies after a commercial burglary on March 24, according to a department press release. A 57-year-old man and a 31-year-old man, both from Florida, have been charged with felony burglary, felony conspiracy to commit burglary, and two counts of felony grand larceny. According to police,… Read More »
Florida Police Officer Charged with Threatening to Arrest Women If They Didn’t Perform Sex Acts on Him
Florida police say a deputy held multiple women against their will in his patrol car and threatened to take them to jail if they didn’t perform sex acts on him. The 40-year-old deputy is facing a litany of charges and has since resigned from his position as a Daytona Beach police officer. According to… Read More »
Pet Rescue Owner Faces Animal Cruelty Charges
The owner and operator of a Leon County pet rescue is facing criminal charges for the mistreatment of animals under her care. She appeared in court Friday morning on various animal cruelty charges. She was also granted a $5,000 bond and the judge ordered that she can’t have any animals in her control. Animal… Read More »
Former Physical Education Teacher Found Guilty of Child Sex Abuse Charges
A former Volusia County high school physical education teacher was recently sentenced to 21 years behind bars in May after pleading guilty to child sexual abuse charges. The judge sentenced the 44-year-old teacher, a former employee at Atlanta High School and Mainland High School, to 21 years in prison, followed by 30 years of… Read More »
Two Arrested for “Violent” Retail Thefts at Home Depot Stores
The State of Florida is pursuing criminal charges against two individuals who were allegedly involved in a violent organized retail theft targeting several Home Depot stores across five Florida counties. According to the indictment, the defendants violently assaulted Home Depot employees in the process of committing the thefts. This included one incident of the… Read More »
Florida Journalist Charged with Wiretapping, Violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
A Florida-based independent journalist is facing several serious charges filed by the Justice Department. These include 14 felony counts alleging conspiracy, wiretapping, and violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The indictment was unsealed in February 2024. FBI agents raided the defendant’s home and office in May of last year in connection to… Read More »
Florida Prosecutor Announces First Death Penalty Case Under New Child Rape Law
Recently, Governor Ron DeSantis passed a change to the Florida statutes that allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty against those accused of committing rape against a child in Florida. Under the new law, which can be found in Florida Statutes 794.011(2)(a), “a person 18 years of age or older who commits sexual battery… Read More »
Florida City Commissioner Charged with Exploitation of the Elderly, Fraud
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement recently announced criminal charges against 58-year-old Regina Hill, the Commissioner for the City of Orlando. Hill is facing seven charges total including 3 counts of exploitation of the elderly, mortgage fraud, scheme to defraud, and two counts of fraud. Authorities say that Hill spent thousands of dollars from… Read More »
