Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Florida Police Officer Charged with Having Sexual Contact with Underage Girl
A Tallahassee, Florida police officer was arrested by the Tallahassee Police Department recently on charges that he plied an underage girl with alcohol and then had sexual contact with the drunk teen. Investigators found the teen in his home. The 26-year-old now-former Tallahassee police officer allegedly met the underage girl on an app and… Read More »
Former Mayoral Candidate Facing Federal Armed Robbery Charges
A former Tallahassee mayoral candidate is facing federal armed robbery charges after allegedly holding up a Dollar General. The suspect was arrested in May 2024. Police say he robbed the Dollar General on West Brevard Street and then fled out the back door disguised as an employee. The former mayoral candidate is now facing… Read More »
UWF Football Player Facing Sexual Assault Charges
A University of West Florida football player was arrested recently on sexual assault charges. The 21-year-old student is charged with two counts of sexual assault on a victim 18 or older. He’s facing a related count regarding video dissemination of the sexual encounter. Few details have been released at this time concerning the charges…. Read More »
Florida Firefighter Among Two Charged with Child Sex Crimes
A Hillsborough County fire lieutenant and a former state attorney’s office employee are both facing serious charges involving unlawful sex with a minor, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say the couple, aged 39 and 37, both of Riverview, forced a 16-year-old to engage in sexual acts on April 27. The case… Read More »
Florida Woman Pleads Guilty to Charges of PPP and RAFT Fraud
A Florida resident who worked remotely for the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in 2022 has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges in Boston. The defendant, of Brandon, Florida, worked with the Residential Aid to Families in Transition (RAFT) program for around six months while working for DHCD. RAFT provides funds… Read More »
Trump Assassination Attempt Suspect Charged with Weapons Violations
The second Trump assassination attempt suspect has been charged with multiple weapons violations. Those include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. While the Secret Service said that the suspect never had a clear line of sight, new details have emerged from the… Read More »
Tallahassee Man Facing Litany of Charges After Car Jacking, Leading Police on High-Speed Chase
A Tallahassee man has been charged with armed carjacking, aggravated fleeing and eluding, hit and run, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to police, at around 4:30 p.m., the suspect walked up to a man at his home on the 500 block of Palm Beach Street. He put on a… Read More »
New Florida Law Targets Home Title Fraud
How can someone steal a home without stealing a home? The answer is: Home Title Fraud. There are a growing number of cases involving criminals changing property titles, even if someone already lives in the home. A recent LexisNexis study found that mortgage fraud scams were up 51% last year. Often, the victims aren’t… Read More »
Central Florida Defendant Indicted on Charges of Seaman Manslaughter and PPP Fraud
An Ocala man has been indicted in federal court on charges of operating an illegal scuba charter business that allegedly caused the death of one person. He then used that business to make fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program claims. The 49-year-old suspect made an initial appearance in court on an indictment charging him with: One… Read More »
Florida Keys Tourism PR Head Facing 28 Criminal Charges
A Florida man whose public relations firm was tasked to help promote the Florida Keys to prospective visitors from around the world is now facing more than two dozen criminal charges over allegations that he made false statements concerning payments to a non-existent company. The criminal complaint against the defendant comes months after an… Read More »