Two Bahamian nationals have been charged with attempting to smuggle approximately 188 kilograms of cocaine into the United States aboard a water vessel, according to a criminal complaint filed on January 5, 2025. The complaint states that at approximately 11 a.m. on January 5, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’sContinue Reading
U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian entered a final judgment on January 8, 2025, forfeiting more than $20 million in foreign bribery and money laundering proceeds to the United States. The funds, totaling approximately $21.2 million, were seized as part of a civil forfeiture case filed by the Justice Department inContinue Reading
A foot pursuit in Lakeland on Thursday, January 9, 2025, led to the arrest of 53-year-old Curtis Novell Young, who was wanted for failing to follow sex offender registration requirements. The incident began at approximately 2:46 PM near the 700-Block of North Lorri Avenue when deputies attempted to speak withContinue Reading
On January 7, 2025, Kyle Thomas Goff, a 38-year-old Lakeland resident, was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) on five outstanding child sexual abuse warrants from Washington County, Oregon. The arrest followed an investigation led by the United States Marshals Service in coordination with the Washington County Sheriff’sContinue Reading
On Thursday, January 9, 2025, a judge sentenced Alexander Evans, 34, of Fort Myers, to 35 years in prison for his involvement in the fatal shooting outside a Naples nightclub in 2022. Evans pleaded no contest to charges of second-degree murder with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,Continue Reading
The St. Augustine Police Department is seeking assistance from the public to identify a suspect involved in an incident within city limits on the early hours of December 15, 2024. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, limited details are being released at this time. Based on clear surveillanceContinue Reading
An 82-year-old Gastonia, North Carolina man was arrested on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after allegedly stabbing his daughter’s boyfriend. Deputies responded around 2:42 p.m. to a residence on Saddlewood Boulevard, north of Lakeland. Following an investigation, they arrested Rudolph Philson in connection with theContinue Reading
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Ricardo Fermin Sune-Giron, 34, of Guatemala, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy, firearms trafficking, dealing in firearms without a license, and possessing firearms as an illegal alien. Sune-Giron faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the conspiracy and possession offenses andContinue Reading
32-year-old Austin Adams of Jacksonville has been sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material. Adams pled guilty to that offense on September 24, 2024. Following his incarceration, he will serve 10 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sexual offender.Continue Reading
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced today that Zevion La’Quawn Collins, 30, of Jacksonville, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Collins faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment. A sentencing date hasContinue Reading