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Crimes and Courts

FAMU Commencement Speaker John Morgan Inspires Graduates With Humor & Wisdom

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FAMU Commencement Speaker John Morgan Inspires Graduates With Humor & Wisdom

Florida A&M University Commencement Speaker Attorney John Morgan exhorted fall 2022 graduates with a mixture of humor and wisdom.

 

Addressing approximately 600 graduates from the University’s dozen colleges and schools in the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center on Friday evening, the founder of Morgan & Morgan shared time-honored aphorisms he hoped graduates would use as they made their way in the world.

 

“There’s a big difference in dreaming and living your dreams. My hope is that you get to live your dreams. Visionaries are a dime a dozen. The vision maker is the rarity; that is the person who lives their dreams,” said Morgan. “Living your dream is very hard. There are vision blockers who try to keep you still for many reasons. Some of our friends and relatives would rather a total stranger win the lottery than you.”

 

A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Morgan moved with his parents and siblings to Orlando, Florida, where he attended high school. After graduating, Morgan enrolled in the University of Florida (UF). He graduated from the UF College of Law in 1983. Five years later, he founded Morgan& Morgan with the mission to represent the people, not the powerful.

 

Without question, John Morgan has established himself as a preeminent legal leader and a friend of FAMU,” said President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., who awarded Morgan the President’s Award.

During his 20-minute speech, Morgan regaled the audience with the story about the 1975 Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier heavyweight championship boxing match, “the Thrilla in Manila” and the lessons each fighter learned.

 

“When things get tough along the way and you don’t think you can go another step, remember that story and answer the bell,” Morgan said referring to Ali’s historic victory. Having led a successful national law firm for more than three decades, Morgan reminded graduates of the need to set their priorities straight.

 

“Your future is whatever you decide to make it,” Morgan said. “When money guides you, you make less money. Greed is not good. Be driven by purpose and passion. If you love what you do, the work the hours will just breeze by.”

Failure can be helpful, Morgan reminded graduates. He cited the experience of failing to get a medical marijuana constitutional amendment on the first try with 58 percent of the vote, which was less than the two-thirds majority required for adoption. On the subsequent attempt, the measure garnered 72 percent of the vote. Morgan said he was inspired to push to legalize medical marijuana by the fate of his brother who was quadriplegic following an accident and endured years of debilitating pain.

 

“The lessons in a failed attempt are building blocks in your next adventure. In life, you need to accomplish success, but you must also seek significance. At the same time, failure can be your friend,” Morgan continued. “Go change the world; dare to be great; do good and do well; dream it and do it. Show up; be early; be great. Find purpose in your passion. And always answer the bell.”

Crimes and Courts

FBI Arrests LGBTQ+ Democrat Leader Matthew Inman on Child Porn Charges

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The arrest of prominent LGBTQ+ leader Matthew A. Inman, 39, has sent shockwaves through Central Florida. The suspended Orange County Democratic Party’s Treasurer and President of the Rainbow Democrats now faces federal charges of transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to the United States Attorney’s Office Middle District of Florida.

Details of the Arrest and Charges

The FBI, as part of an extensive investigation, uncovered evidence that between August and October 2024, Inman received and stored multiple videos depicting child sexual abuse. These videos, stored on his phone, allegedly showed graphic acts of sexual assault on young children.

In October 2024, Inman traveled to Las Vegas, where he engaged in explicit online conversations with an undercover FBI officer posing as the father of a 9-year-old boy. **Inman expressed interest in meeting and sexually abusing the child, even going so far as to send additional CSAM videos to the undercover officer.**

When the FBI executed a search warrant at Inman’s Orlando residence, he attempted to delete evidence from his phone and hide in the attic. However, investigators were able to recover electronic devices containing incriminating material.

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the filing of a criminal complaint against Inman, charging him with the transportation of child sexual abuse material. If convicted, Inman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

Responses from Organizations

Following Inman’s arrest, several organizations distanced themselves from him and issued strong statements condemning his alleged actions:

Orange County Democratic Party Statement in Response to the Arrest of Matthew Inman:

Statement by the Rainbow Democrats Board in Response to the Arrest of Matthew Inman:

Visit Orlando

The tourism organization, where Inman was previously employed, confirmed his termination, stating, We are devastated to learn of these allegations and have ended his employment with immediate effect.”

Key Highlights

– FBI arrested Matthew Inman on federal child pornography charges.
– Allegations include possession of CSAM and attempts to meet a child for sexual abuse.
– Organizations, including the Orange County Democratic Party and Rainbow Democrats, severed ties with Inman and condemned his actions.
– Case brought under Project Safe Childhood to combat child exploitation.

About Project Safe Childhood

This case was pursued under **Project Safe Childhood**, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat child exploitation. The program unites federal, state, and local agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in the sexual exploitation of children. It also focuses on identifying and rescuing victims.

For more information on Project Safe Childhood and how to report suspected exploitation, visit [www.justice.gov/psc](https://www.justice.gov/psc).

Ongoing Legal Process

It’s important to note that the charges against Matthew Inman are allegations at this stage. **A criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.**

This case remains under investigation by the FBI, and Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan is leading the prosecution.

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Crimes and Courts

Osceola County Mother Indicted for First Degree Murder in Daughter’s Drowning

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OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – A Kissimmee mother is facing severe charges after being formally indicted by an Osceola County grand jury on Wednesday. Kelsey Glover, 35, has been charged with First Degree Murder for the drowning death of her daughter and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon for an attack on another woman.

The incident occurred on November 20, 2024, when deputies from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office responded to a distressing 911 call. A female witness reported that Glover had attacked her with a hammer and drowned her daughter.

Upon arriving at the home in Kissimmee, deputies discovered the young girl unresponsive. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Further investigation determined that Glover drowned her daughter in a bathtub and physically assaulted the witness with a hammer.

On December 4, the State presented evidence to the Osceola County grand jury, which resulted in an indictment for First Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Next Steps in the Case
The legal process for Glover will now proceed through the Osceola County court system. Her arraignment, pre-trial motions, and trial dates will be scheduled in the coming weeks. The Osceola County Clerk of Court’s website will provide the latest updates on court hearings and proceedings.

The charges Glover faces are among the most serious in Florida’s legal system, with First Degree Murder carrying the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty.

For now, officials remain tight-lipped about further details surrounding the case as the investigation continues.

What’s Next?

  • Arraignment Hearing: Glover will formally hear the charges and enter a plea.
  • Pre-Trial Motions: Attorneys may file motions to suppress evidence, change venue, or challenge witness testimony.
  • Trial Preparation: Both the prosecution and defense will build their cases, which may include psychological evaluations, expert testimony, and gathering physical evidence.
  • Court Proceedings: Updates on trial dates will be posted on the Osceola County Clerk of Court’s website.
  • Sentencing: If convicted, Glover could face life imprisonment or the death penalty, depending on the trial outcome.

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Crimes and Courts

Sarah Boone Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murdering Boyfriend in Suitcase

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ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – On Monday, Sarah Boone, 47, was sentenced to life in the Florida Department of Corrections by Orange County Circuit Court Judge Michael Kraynick for the chilling murder of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres. Boone’s conviction stems from an incident on February 23, 2020, when she zipped Torres inside a suitcase, leaving him to suffocate.

Case Details
Boone was found guilty of Second Degree Murder on October 25, 2024, after a jury reviewed damning evidence, including cellphone videos recorded by Boone herself. The footage showed Boone taunting Torres as he desperately screamed for help from inside the suitcase. Despite his pleas, Boone refused to release him and instead went upstairs to sleep.

Trial and Sentencing
Judge Kraynick, after ordering a pre-sentence investigation, weighed several factors before delivering the sentence. He considered the details of the homicide, Boone’s personal background, criminal history, and previous trauma. The severity and calculated nature of Boone’s actions played a significant role in the life sentence ruling.

The Crime
The horrifying incident began as a purported game of hide-and-seek at Boone’s Winter Park apartment. However, the situation escalated fatally when Boone allegedly zipped Torres into the suitcase, later claiming she had forgotten about him. Torres’ body was discovered the next day when Boone reported the incident to law enforcement, maintaining it was an accident.

Investigators found Boone’s explanation inconsistent with the evidence. The recorded videos and the autopsy, which confirmed suffocation as the cause of death, were pivotal in securing the conviction.

Aftermath
Following the sentencing, Boone will be transferred to the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections, where she will serve her life sentence without the possibility of parole.

This case underscores the judicial system’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of domestic violence and upholding public safety.

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