Crimes and Courts
Garland: Escaped murder suspect, guard ‘extremely dangerous’
Published
4 years agoon
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thursday that an escaped murder suspect and jail officer who aided him are “regarded as extremely dangerous” and the U.S. Marshals Service has taken over leading the search for the two fugitives.
Law enforcement officials in Alabama have been looking for Casey White, who was awaiting trial on a capital murder case, and Vicky White, a jail official, since they vanished after leaving the Lauderdale County Detention Center last week. The two are not related, but had a “special relationship,” authorities said.
Garland said they should be considered armed and dangerous and that anyone who spots them should not approach them.
“They worked together in designing this plan to escape,” said U.S. Marshal Marty Keely, whose deputies are leading the hunt.
Last Friday, Vicky White, 56, told her coworkers that the 38-year-old inmate needed to go to the courthouse for a mental health evaluation. She was escorting the inmate alone — a violation of the sheriff’s office policy. When she did not answer her phone or return in the afternoon, authorities realized the pair had gone missing. Authorities eventually learned that the evaluation was never scheduled and was just a charade to allow Vicky White to sneak Casey White out of the jail without suspicion.
The two left in a patrol car, which was found abandoned nearby in a parking lot where investigators believe Vicky White had parked a getaway car.
In the past week, authorities have learned that Vicky White purchased an array of weapons, including an AR-15 rifle in January and a shotgun two weeks before the scape. They also believe she has a 9 mm handgun with her and have received reports she may also have a .45 caliber handgun, Keely said.
Federal investigators believe they had been planning the escape for at least several months, Keely said. Vicky White sold her house for $95,000 — nearly half of the market value — and had also sold her car just before the escape, he said. She had also filed paperwork to officially retire from her job.
Police believe Vicky White had staged a getaway car nearby — a 2007 orange Ford Edge — that had no license plates. She bought the car just a few days before the escape and paid for it with cash, Keely said.
“It was well planned,” Keely said of the escape. “She has a lot of knowledge about law enforcement procedures.”
The Marshals Service and the sheriff’s office have interviewed a slew of associates, family members and others who knew both Casey White and Vicky White and have received numerous tips in the investigation. But despite their best efforts, investigators have not come up with any solid leads to locate them.
“We’ve vetted out all the leads and so far, we have no legitimate spotting,” Keely said.
The Marshals Service is offering up to $10,000 reward for information leading to Casey White’s capture and a $5,000 reward for information leading to Vicky White.
Authorities have said Casey White, who stands 6 feet, 9 inches (about 2 meters), should be recognizable by his size.
Casey White was being held at the jail on capital murder charges in the 2015 death of Connie Ridgeway. He confessed to the slaying in 2020 while in state prison for other crimes. He’s been linked to home invasions, carjackings and was also involved in a police chase, Keely said.
Family members and colleagues said they are bewildered by the involvement of Vicky White, who had worked for the sheriff’s office for 16 years, with the inmate who was already serving a 75-year prison sentence for attempted murder and other crimes.
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Crimes and Courts
Florida Creates Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, Appoints Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Fraud
Published
3 weeks agoon
April 15, 2026
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — James Uthmeier announced the launch of the Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, a multi-agency initiative aimed at strengthening investigations and prosecutions of fraud involving taxpayer-funded benefit programs.
As part of the effort, Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Scott Strauss has been appointed as special prosecutor to oversee complex, multi-circuit fraud cases and coordinate legal strategies across agencies.
TASK FORCE TO TARGET FRAUD
The task force is designed to provide legal counsel and streamline criminal prosecutions for state agencies and law enforcement, enhancing Florida’s ability to build strong cases against individuals accused of fraud.
“We are launching this task force to bring accountability and prosecute those who are stealing from Floridians,” Uthmeier said. “Florida is not Minnesota or California, and we will safeguard the taxpayers’ investment in the services meant for the vulnerable.”
MULTI-AGENCY COLLABORATION
State leaders emphasized the importance of coordination across agencies to combat increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
“Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier, Florida has continued to identify, address, and prevent fraud,” said Shevaun L. Harris, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration. “This multi-agency initiative creates an opportunity to collectively reaffirm that commitment.”
Brad McVay added that protecting taxpayer-funded programs is essential to maintaining public trust.
“Floridians deserve a government that safeguards their taxpayer dollars from fraudsters,” McVay said.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass also stressed enforcement.
“If you commit fraud against public assistance programs, you will be held accountable,” Glass said.
ROLE OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
The special prosecutor will evaluate and oversee ongoing multi-circuit investigations, assist in developing cases for prosecution, and support law enforcement with legal tools such as warrants and affidavits.
Kathleen Von Hoene said the initiative will strengthen protections for vulnerable populations.
“Our goal is to protect the public, preserve the integrity of the Medicaid program, and safeguard the populations it serves,” she said.
PROGRAMS AND ENFORCEMENT
Florida’s public assistance programs include Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, housing assistance and reemployment services. Fraud involving these programs can result in criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, with penalties including fines, restitution and incarceration.
Law enforcement agencies interested in participating in the task force can contact the Office of Statewide Prosecution for more information.
Central Florida News
Orange County Clerk Hosts Operation Green Light to Help Drivers Reinstate Licenses April 15
Published
3 weeks agoon
April 12, 2026
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — The Orange County Clerk of Courts is continuing its efforts to help residents regain their driving privileges by offering year-round assistance to individuals with suspended licenses due to unpaid traffic tickets or criminal fines.
As part of the initiative, the Clerk’s Office will host Operation Green Light on April 15, 2026, with extended hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Orange County Courthouse, Suite 410.
EVENT OFFERS PATH TO LICENSE REINSTATEMENT
During the one-day event, residents can receive in-person assistance to address outstanding traffic tickets and criminal fines, taking the first step toward reinstating their driver licenses.
Officials say eligible customers may have certain collection agency fees waived, enroll in payment plans and restore their driving privileges once all requirements are met. Affordable down payments will be available; however, standard reinstatement fees will still apply.
No appointment or prior registration is required to participate.
STATEWIDE INITIATIVE EXPANDS ACCESS
Operation Green Light is part of a statewide effort running from April 11 through April 25, 2026, aimed at helping thousands of Floridians resolve overdue fines and get back on the road legally.
The program is designed to reduce financial barriers that often prevent residents from addressing court-related debt and driver license suspensions.
YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT AVAILABLE
Residents who cannot attend the April 15 event can still receive assistance year-round through the Clerk’s Compliance Division, located in Suite 410 of the courthouse.
Staff members are available to help individuals set up payment plans and guide them through the license reinstatement process.
Central Florida News
Bodycam Shows Deputy Shoot Suspect After Taser Fails Outside Walmart, Authorities Say
Published
2 months agoon
March 19, 2026By
Willie David
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — The Orange County Sheriff’s Office released body-worn camera footage from a deputy-involved shooting involving a suspected shoplifter outside a Walmart store nearly a month after the incident.
Deputies Respond to Armed Shoplifting Call
According to investigators, deputies responded around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2026, to a reported shoplifting incident at the Walmart on East Colonial Drive.
A caller told dispatchers a man wearing a black ski mask was attempting to steal merchandise, appeared to have a knife and was declaring “martial law” as he exited the store with a shopping cart full of items.
Bodycam Shows Confrontation Before Shooting
Deputies said a responding deputy encountered the suspect on Colonial Drive near the store pushing a cart loaded with merchandise.
Body-camera footage shows the deputy giving multiple commands for the man to stop. Authorities said the suspect ignored the commands. The deputy then deployed a Taser, but it had no effect.
Shortly afterward, the deputy can be heard warning the suspect at least three times not to reach. Moments later, the deputy fired his service weapon, striking the man.
Deputies on scene secured the suspect and provided first aid before he was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators said two knives were recovered at the scene.
Suspect Identified; Investigation Underway
Authorities identified the suspect as Jason Anthony Beal, 48. He was charged with robbery with a deadly weapon and resisting an officer with violence.
The shooting remains under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which will submit its findings to the State Attorney’s Office for review.
As part of standard protocol, the deputy involved has been placed on temporary paid administrative leave pending the initial FDLE review. The sheriff’s office will also conduct an internal investigation once the state probe is completed.
