Jacksonville, FL – What began with a chance encounter in 2013 has grown into a lasting international bond between the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) and firefighters in Germany. The connection started when a German firefighter visiting Jacksonville met JFRD Public Information Officer Tom Francis. That meeting sparked aContinue Reading
Jacksonville, FL – A house fire in the Division Street neighborhood nearly turned tragic several weeks ago, but the quick response of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department crews from Fire Station 7 saved three family members trapped inside. This week, Mayor Donna Deegan and Fire Chief Percy Golden II returnedContinue Reading
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced today that Jared Dean Eakes, 34, of Jacksonville, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to his pleaContinue Reading
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—A registered child sex offender has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for accessing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) online, a violation committed while he was on supervised release for a prior federal conviction. Chief United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard sentenced Sean-Michael Smith, 36, ofContinue Reading
OCALA, Fla. – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Cornelius Alexander Thompson, 38, of Ocala, on charges of sexual abuse of a ward in federal custody and receipt of a bribe by a public official. If convicted on both counts, ThompsonContinue Reading
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Matthew Simon Grimm, 51, a citizen of the United Kingdom, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his role in an international drug trafficking and money laundering operation. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District ofContinue Reading
Jacksonville police have charged 18-year-old Andre Thomas with murder in connection to the fatal shooting of 39-year-old Donte Swan in May 2025. On May 15, District 4 Patrol officers responded to a report of a shooting at a residence on Wheat Road near Ricker Road. When officers arrived, they foundContinue Reading
Punta Gorda, FL – A Charlotte County woman with a long criminal history has been sentenced to 15 years in prison as a Habitual Felony Offender (HFO) in connection with multiple drug trafficking cases. Samantha Jean James, 29, was adjudicated guilty after pleading straight to the court—meaning she waived herContinue Reading
VALRICO, Fla. — A Hillsborough County mother is in custody after deputies say she tried to drown her three young children in a community pool early Tuesday morning. At 1:28 a.m. on September 24, 2025, deputies responded to a call on Sacramento Street reporting that a woman was attempting toContinue Reading
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After more than 30 years, detectives say they’ve solved the brutal 1994 murder of 20-year-old Tina Heins, who was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed in her Mayport apartment. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, working with the State Attorney’s Office, announced the arrest of 52-year-old Michael Ziegler,Continue Reading