JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County health officials have confirmed a second locally acquired case of West Nile virus, prompting additional mosquito surveillance and spraying efforts in the Jacksonville area. The Florida Department of Health in Duval County announced the case as it works with Jacksonville Mosquito Control on prevention efforts.Continue Reading
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than 50,000 Duval County secondary students practiced skills this week that could help them respond when someone’s heart suddenly stops. The hands-on training was part of Duval County Public Schools’ World Heart Day activities and included hands-only CPR, first aid and instruction on using an automatedContinue Reading
PENSACOLA, Fla. – A Pensacola man who helped create bank accounts under stolen identities and supplied accomplices with fake U.S. passport cards and fraudulent checks has been sentenced to 42 months in federal prison. Vontavius Jamaal Bradley, 23, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, use ofContinue Reading
PENSACOLA, Fla. – A Navarre man who was working a full-time civilian job and serving part time in the Air Force Reserve has admitted using a nonexistent self-employment claim to obtain more than $20,000 from a federal COVID-19 relief program. Ray Anthony Pearson II, 32, pleaded guilty in federal courtContinue Reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – What began with a response to an online escort advertisement ended with a Tallahassee man arriving near an arranged meeting location, where federal authorities say investigators were waiting for him. Amontea Allen John Mitchell, 28, has now been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleadingContinue Reading
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – For three days, 33-year-old Aaron Lamar Platts exchanged sexually explicit messages online with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl. Then he got in his car and drove from Duval County to St. Johns County to meet her. There was no 14-year-old waiting for him. TheContinue Reading
PANAMA CITY, Fla. – A Panama City couple has been arrested after investigators said two children reported being threatened with a sledgehammer and having their belongings destroyed during an incident at their home. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Keith Hall, 42, and Maggie Gurley, 39, on Sept. 30 followingContinue Reading
PALM COAST, Fla. – A 47-year-old woman was shot multiple times by her estranged husband before he apparently took his own life Wednesday night at a Palm Coast home, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Dawn Estrella, 47, and Rakim-Shakur Brooks, 55, were found dead inside a residence onContinue Reading
DIXIE COUNTY, Fla. – A 31-year-old Illinois man has been arrested following an investigation into his communications and reported meetings with a juvenile in Florida, according to the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office. Victor De La Cruz was charged with felony transmission of material harmful to minors to a minor byContinue Reading
PALATKA, Fla. – Four people were arrested after a traffic stop involving a driver with a suspended license led Putnam County deputies to methamphetamine, cocaine and suspected fentanyl, including drugs authorities said were concealed inside milkshakes. Deputies stopped a vehicle driven by Rocky Shuman, 41, of Keystone Heights after heContinue Reading