Phillip Barker (left) and Kristofer Matos (right)

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Two men were arrested after deputies observed a cocaine sale in the parking lot of a local bar, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators with the Narcotics Unit said they had been monitoring Phillip Jerome Barker Jr., 36, and had probable cause for hisContinue Reading

Jean A. Gonzalez

OCALA, Fla. — A 59-year-old woman has been arrested following an investigation into a fraud scheme that diverted more than $1 million from a healthcare business, according to the Ocala Police Department. Jean A. Gonzalez, a former employee of Ethos Health Group, is accused of redirecting patient and insurance paymentsContinue Reading

Ketsy Ann Rivera

KISSIMMEE, Florida – An Osceola County woman was arrested Monday after deputies say she directed her children to assault another child during a disturbance at a Kissimmee apartment complex. On March 16, 2026, deputies responded to the Heritage Park Apartment Complex following reports of a disturbance involving multiple juveniles atContinue Reading

Neftali Bautista Lopez

PLANT CITY, Fla. — A 16-year-old Plant City High School student has been arrested after authorities say he brought a firearm onto campus and threatened two classmates during a robbery. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on Friday, March 13, 2026, around 8:25 a.m., when aContinue Reading

Raydel Amado Gines-Prieto and Erisniel Melgarejo-Rodriguez

Orlando, FL — Two St. Petersburg men have been arrested in connection with an organized retail theft scheme that investigators say targeted home improvement stores across several west Florida counties. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrests of Raydel Amado Gines Prieto, 52, and Erisniel Melgarejo Rodriguez, 36,Continue Reading