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Crimes and Courts

Governor Ron DeSantis Joins Brevard County Sheriff’s Office for Announcement of County’s Largest Drug Sting Operation

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Cocoa, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody joined Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey as he announced the issuance of over 100 arrest warrants in a culmination of the county’s largest single drug investigation to date.

Governor DeSantis has been clear in his support of law enforcement agencies throughout the state to combat the opioid addiction epidemic that is a menace to our communities. Governor DeSantis has also re-established the Office of Drug Control within the Executive Office of the Governor and announced the creation of a Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse.

“The Office of Drug Control was discontinued several years ago, but the importance of restoring its functions could not be more obvious,” said Governor DeSantis. “We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who pedal them to poison our communities and destroy lives. We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.”

“There are 17 opioid-related deaths per day in Florida, but the good news is that we believe in hope and know that Floridians are stronger and more resilient than these drugs will ever be,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “We have got to fight for our kids who are the most vulnerable in this crisis. Nearly half of all children removed from a home has something to do with substance misuse. One of my top goals as Chair of the Children and Youth Cabinet is to support our law enforcement and tackle this crisis head on for our future generations.”

“Heroin and fentanyl are killing Floridians, and we must do everything we can to keep these drugs off our streets,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “I’m proud to stand with Governor Ron DeSantis and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey to announce the takedown of this massive drug trafficking ring. Seizing these drugs will save lives, and operations like these are an important component of our fight to end the opioid crisis.”

“I would like to thank our Governor and First Lady for their amazing support as our team has dismantled one of the largest and most significant drug investigations ever conducted in Brevard County,” said Sheriff Wayne Ivey. “This epidemic is not just impacting our community, it’s impacting every community in our state and country. Today we removed over 100 predators from our community who chose to create and then prey upon the addictions of others for their own greed.”

The Florida Legislature has appropriated over $100 million to address the opioid epidemic plaguing the state. Florida was also awarded $26 million in federal funding for Florida’s State Opioid Response Project, which is designed to address the opioid crisis by reducing opioid deaths, preventing opioid abuse among our young people, and increasing recovery services and access to treatment.

In recent years, drug overdoses from opioids, methadone and other drugs have become the nation’s leading cause of accidental deaths. In 2017, more than 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, with 30,000 being from fentanyl. Of that number, 3,245 of those deaths occurred in Florida.

Central Florida News

Orlando Police Arrest Three Following Shooting at West Lakes Apartment Complex

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Orlando Police arrested three suspects Thursday following a shooting at the Pendana at West Lakes Club Apartments that led to a high-speed pursuit spanning Orange and Seminole counties.

Police said no injuries were reported despite multiple rounds being fired during the incident.

Shooting Reported at Apartment Complex

According to the Orlando Police Department (OPD), officers responded at approximately 3:50 p.m. Thursday, July 9, to the 2000 block of Orange Center Boulevard after receiving reports of gunfire at the Pendana at West Lakes Club Apartments.

During the investigation, detectives reviewed surveillance video showing occupants of a black sedan and a black SUV firing multiple rounds at two individuals riding scooters through the apartment complex.

Investigators said everyone involved fled the scene before officers arrived.

Police Locate Suspect Vehicles

Shortly after the shooting, Orlando officers located both suspect vehicles in the North Pine Hills area.

With assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), officers conducted a traffic stop on the black sedan and detained two suspects without incident.

Officers later located the black SUV and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop, triggering a police pursuit.

Helicopter Assists During Pursuit

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit tracked the fleeing SUV from the air while directing responding officers on the ground.

The pursuit ended in Altamonte Springs, where the driver stopped in front of a Burlington Coat Factory, abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.

Orlando Police officers quickly apprehended the suspect.

Three Suspects Arrested

Police identified the suspects as:

Jacorey Lowery (DOB: July 8, 2006)

Charges:

  • Attempted Felony Murder (Firearm/Discharge)
  • Discharging a Firearm at Residential Property

Quincy Desponosse (DOB: April 21, 2008)

Charge:

  • Principal to Attempted First-Degree Murder

Semaj Blackshear

Charges:

  • Principal to Attempted Felony Murder with a Firearm
  • Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement at High Speed with Disregard for Public Safety or Property
  • Resisting an Officer Without Violence
  • Juvenile Violation of Probation

None of the Suspects Lived at the Complex

Investigators determined that none of the three individuals arrested were residents of the Pendana at West Lakes Club Apartments.

Police have not released information regarding a possible motive or whether the suspects knew the two individuals on the scooters.

Investigation Continues

The Orlando Police Department said the investigation remains active.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).

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Crimes and Courts

Attorney General Uthmeier Announces Charges Against Six in South Florida Drug Trafficking Enterprise

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced charges against six individuals accused of participating in a multi-county drug trafficking enterprise operating in Broward County and surrounding areas of South Florida.

The defendants — Isaac Lakeith Bruton, Wayne Morgan Brutton Jr., Wayne Morgan Brutton Sr., Omar Dwayne Cooper, Rene Danger Jr., and Cleon Fabian Reid — are accused of participating in an organized criminal enterprise that allegedly distributed large quantities of illegal narcotics and laundered proceeds from drug sales.

Investigation Spanned Multiple Agencies

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the charges stem from a joint investigation led by the Broward Sheriff’s Office Organized Crime Unit and the Office of Statewide Prosecution, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.

“This joint investigation dismantled a criminal enterprise that pumped dangerous drugs into Florida communities,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “Through the tireless work of the Office of Statewide Prosecution and our great law enforcement partners, we are taking on more criminal prosecutions than ever before.”

Alleged Drug Trafficking Operation

Investigators allege the organization obtained and distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine, multiple pounds of marijuana, prescription pills and other controlled substances throughout South Florida.

According to authorities, members of the enterprise converted powdered cocaine into crack cocaine near distribution locations and utilized vehicles equipped with hidden compartments to transport narcotics.

The investigation further alleges that Bruton and Cooper laundered proceeds from drug sales through the purchase of vehicles, real estate, business investments, classic car restorations and jewelry.

Charges Filed

Bruton and Cooper are each charged with:

  • Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)
  • Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)
  • Money Laundering (Third-Degree Felony)

Brutton Jr., Brutton Sr., Danger Jr., and Reid are each charged with:

  • Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)
  • Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)

Potential Penalties

If convicted, Bruton and Cooper face up to 75 years in prison. Brutton Jr., Brutton Sr., Danger Jr., and Reid each face up to 60 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Jillian Tate and Nicholas Kaleel.

Presumption of Innocence

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Crimes and Courts

Florida Creates Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, Appoints Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Fraud

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Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

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.

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