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Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast Defeated by David Vincent in Election

Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast Defeated by David Vincent in Election

Incumbent Sheriff Mike Prendergast of Citrus County, Florida, was defeated in the recent preliminary election by newcomer David Vincent. This outcome marks a significant change in the leadership of the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), which serves a population of 162,500 residents across 773.15 square miles. Sheriff Prendergast, who was elected in November 2016, became the 12th sheriff of Citrus County and is now the first Citrus County sheriff to lose a re-election bid. The CCSO is the primary law enforcement agency for the county, and its mission is to deliver excellence in public safety. The election results indicate a desire for change within the community, as expressed by David Vincent's campaign.
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Brevard Deputy of the Year Not Arrested Under 'Super Speeder' Law After 111 MPH Incident

Brevard Deputy of the Year Not Arrested Under 'Super Speeder' Law After 111 MPH Incident

Brevard County’s 2025 Deputy of the Year, Michael Fultz, was caught by a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper driving his motorcycle at 111 mph while off duty in February. Despite exceeding 100 mph, which falls under Florida’s 'Super Speeder' law allowing for arrest, Fultz was not arrested. Instead, Trooper Joshua Provencher issued him a civil traffic citation for driving 9 mph over the posted speed limit. Video footage from the traffic stop shows Provencher recognizing Fultz as a fellow law enforcement officer and expressing reluctance to 'ruin his job.' Fultz later paid the $155 fine. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, which learned of the incident during an unrelated administrative investigation, interviewed both Fultz and Provencher. Fultz resigned two months later as Sheriff Wayne Ivey prepared to fire him for 'egregious misconduct' related and unrelated to the traffic stop, and for failing to report the incident as required by agency policy.
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Brevard Deputy of the Year Avoids Arrest for 111 MPH Speeding Under 'Super Speeder' Law

Brevard Deputy of the Year Avoids Arrest for 111 MPH Speeding Under 'Super Speeder' Law

Brevard County Deputy of the Year, Michael Fultz, was caught by a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper speeding at 111 mph on his motorcycle while off duty in February. Despite Florida's 'Super Speeder' law, which allows for the arrest of motorists driving 100 mph or more in a manner that threatens safety, Fultz was not arrested. Instead, FHP Trooper Joshua Provencher issued Fultz a civil traffic citation for driving 9 mph over the posted speed limit. The incident, captured on the FHP vehicle's camera, shows Provencher recognizing Fultz as a fellow law enforcement officer and consulting with his sergeant before deciding against an arrest. Provencher also did not cite Fultz for lacking a required motorcycle endorsement on his driver's license, nor was the motorcycle impounded. Fultz later resigned from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office in May, as Sheriff Wayne Ivey was preparing to fire him for 'egregious misconduct' related and unrelated to the traffic stop. Fultz failed to report the traffic stop as req...
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Lee County Sheriff's Office Arrests Man on Drug Charges After Traffic Stop and Foot Chase

Lee County Sheriff's Office Arrests Man on Drug Charges After Traffic Stop and Foot Chase

A man was arrested by deputies from the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) in Lee County, Florida, following a traffic stop that escalated into a foot chase. The incident occurred near Palm Beach Boulevard and Marsh Avenue after an LCSO Narcotics Team Detective observed a traffic violation. During the initial stop, deputies discovered a suspected bag of marijuana and another baggie containing a white substance on the passenger, later identified as Jorge Valle Armijo, 41. Armijo then pulled away from deputies and attempted to flee on foot. Deputies pursued him and deployed a stun gun to apprehend him. Armijo was subsequently taken into custody with assistance from officers of the Fort Myers Police Department.
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Port Charlotte High School Lockdown Lifted After No Active Threat Found

Port Charlotte High School Lockdown Lifted After No Active Threat Found

Port Charlotte High School in Florida was placed under lockdown on Wednesday afternoon following a reported threat. The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) confirmed that the lockdown began around 1:40 p.m. In response to the threat, deputies were dispatched to the school and conducted a thorough search of all campus buildings. By 2:08 p.m., the CCSO announced that no active threat had been found, and the lockdown was subsequently lifted. The incident caused temporary disruption and concern within the school community and among local residents, but authorities quickly secured the premises and ensured the safety of students and staff.
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Carjacking Suspect Apprehended in Volusia County After High-Speed Pursuit and Crash

Carjacking Suspect Apprehended in Volusia County After High-Speed Pursuit and Crash

A carjacking suspect, identified as Scott Taylor, 41, of Connecticut, was taken into custody in Volusia County, Florida, following a high-speed chase and crash. The incident began when the Sanford Regional Communications Center issued a be-on-the-lookout for a reckless vehicle traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 1 near Ormond Beach. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and Volusia deputies attempted a traffic stop on a 2013 Ford Focus near S.R. 44 and County Road 415, but the vehicle fled. Taylor, who had reportedly entered Volusia County on I-95 after fleeing FHP, attempted one carjacking before successfully stealing a car from a woman at a red light near Destination Daytona. The stolen vehicle's license plate was entered into a hotlist, and Flock cameras detected it traveling eastbound on S.R. 44. During the pursuit, Taylor allegedly reached speeds of 137 mph, drove into oncoming traffic on S.R. 44, struck a dump truck, and then collided with a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado before attempting to flee on foot. He was ...
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Florida Officials Advocate for Federal Animal Cruelty Legislation Amidst Rising Cases

Florida Officials Advocate for Federal Animal Cruelty Legislation Amidst Rising Cases

Florida prosecutors and sheriffs are publicly supporting three federal bills aimed at combating organized animal cruelty, fighting, and trafficking operations. This push comes in response to several high-profile animal cruelty cases in Florida, including the rescue of 36 border collies from deplorable conditions in Palm City and a suspected dog-fighting operation in North Florida involving over 80 dogs and puppies. Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, emphasizes that animal cruelty is often linked to other criminal activities. The proposed legislation includes the Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act, which would establish a dedicated Animal Cruelty Crimes Section within the U.S. Department of Justice. The FIGHT Act seeks to strengthen federal animal-fighting laws by targeting online gambling, authorizing civil forfeiture of property used in fighting, and restricting the shipment of mature fighting birds. Additionally, the No Flight, No Fight Act aims to restrict the commercial air transport...
Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Sarasota police officer fired, arrested amid Flock database probe

Sarasota police officer fired, arrested amid Flock database probe

Sarasota police officer fired and arrested on felony charges amid investigation into alleged misuse of Flock and DAVID databases.
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Florida Mother Arrested on Arson and Child Abuse Charges After Kitchen Fire and Hot Wax Incident

Florida Mother Arrested on Arson and Child Abuse Charges After Kitchen Fire and Hot Wax Incident

Meliza Campos-Sanchez, 26, was arrested on August 17 in Miami, Florida, facing charges of first-degree arson, child abuse, and two counts of child neglect. The arrest followed an investigation into a kitchen fire at her home on August 16, which Miami-Dade Fire Rescue determined was intentionally set using an open flame, ignitable liquids, and combustible materials. Authorities discovered two videos posted by Campos-Sanchez on Instagram. One video reportedly shows her pouring melted candle wax onto her own leg and then onto the hands of her two young daughters. The second video depicts Campos-Sanchez, wearing a silver mask, spraying a liquid onto clothing on the kitchen floor before igniting it with a red lighter. Her husband, Yusniel Cue, informed investigators that they had been experiencing marital issues, and he had been staying with his parents for about a week. Cue also mentioned a previous incident where Campos-Sanchez allegedly attempted suicide and that he had contacted the sheriff's office due to ...
Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Post
Report: Caruso told family 'I will get arrested' if abuse reported

Report: Caruso told family 'I will get arrested' if abuse reported

Mike Caruso, arrested and suspended following allegations of child sexual abuse, urged his family not to report him, according to court records.
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Florida Mother Arrested After Leaving 6-Year-Old Son Alone at Park

Florida Mother Arrested After Leaving 6-Year-Old Son Alone at Park

Elena Sexton, a 41-year-old mother from Texas, was arrested in Florida over the weekend and charged with child neglect with no great bodily harm. Police reports indicate that Sexton left her 6-year-old son alone at Town Center Park in Sunny Isles Beach while she went to get food with a friend. A witness discovered the child alone around 8:50 p.m. on Saturday and reported it to the police. The boy informed the witness that his mother had left him and that he was scared and hungry, having not eaten since breakfast. The witness estimated the child had been alone for nearly an hour. Police later located Sexton returning to the park and took her into custody. She appeared before a judge on Monday, and her bond was set at $2,500.
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Manhunt Underway for Person of Interest in Florida Woman's Killing

Manhunt Underway for Person of Interest in Florida Woman's Killing

A manhunt is underway for Matthew Allen Waggle, 33, who has been identified as a person of interest in the shooting death of 52-year-old Dawn Kriskewic in Florida. The Indian River County Sheriff's Office reported that deputies responded to a call on Sunday about a woman in the street suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Kriskewic was transported to a local trauma center where she was pronounced dead. Authorities confirmed that Kriskewic had a previous relationship with Waggle. A nationwide 'be on the lookout' alert has been issued for Waggle, who is believed to be outside the Vero Beach area. The sheriff's office has urged the public not to approach Waggle and to contact 911 immediately if he is sighted.