Former Tampa crime prevention program under investigation by Department of Justice
Under the "Crime Free" program, an arrest in a shooting like that would have triggered a notice to an apartment complex landlord that the culprit was living there. But 90% of 1,100 people flagged by the program were Black, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) said they will figure out whether the program effectively "made unavailable or denied housing units" to Black tenants.
Man who bit Hillsborough County deputy dead, may have been victim of crime, HCSO says
A suspect who bit a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy Thursday morning is now dead, according to officials. Investigators said they have reason to believe the man may have been a victim of a crime before his interactions with law enforcement.
Man accused of posing as Uber driver, raping passenger, passes on plea deal
Gary Pyrus is charged with sexual battery and kidnapping after allegedly posing as a ride share driver and raping the woman who got into his car. He decided to go before a jury to answer for the charges.
Local leaders spread red sand outside Hillsborough County courthouse for human trafficking victims
Hillsborough County and Tampa leaders brought attention to human trafficking by spreading red sand outside the courthouse. Leaders said they might be tiny grains of sand, but they hope to make a big statement against sex trafficking.
Amber Alert canceled, investigation underway into shootings at Jacksonville home
The Amber Alert has been canceled for an 8-year-old boy who went missing from a Jacksonville, Florida home, however, an investigation is ongoing into the shooting death of three people at the home where the boy was reported missing.
Prosecutors: Florida prison guards charged with murder for beating handcuffed inmate to death
Three Florida correctional officers have been arrested and charged with murder after investigators say they put a prisoner from the mental health unit in handcuffs and severely beat him. The 60-year-old man was found dead hours later.
Parents charged with killing 15-month-old at Farmington Hills motel referred to baby as a 'demon'
Parents charged with killing their 15-month-old child last fall both described the boy as 'demonic' during graphic testimony about the physical abuse the baby was put through before he died.
Polk sheriff: 'Most wonderful mom in the world' shot and killed by son for telling him to stop smoking inside
After the mom caught her 19-year-old son smoking cigars in his room and told him to stop, investigators said he shot her through his door and killed her, then fled from the house.
‘We're embarrassed’: Polk County sheriff volunteer arrested for selling drugs out of patrol vehicle
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says he is "hotter than a bare butt on a tin roof in August" after learning a sheriff’s volunteer officer was caught selling prescription pills out of a patrol car while in uniform.
Central Florida man shot teens after trying to break into his car, deputies say
According to investigators, the call first came in around 2 a.m. as a report of a car burglary with shots fired on Martinwood Drive.
Warrants issued for father, step-mom wanted in murder of 8-year-old child, trafficking of others
The U.S. Marshals in the Eastern District of Washington state are asking for the public’s help to find 33-year-old Edgar Salvador Casian-Garcia and 37-year-old Araceli Medina, both of whom have nationwide warrants for their arrest for murder, child rape and child abuse.
Tampa Police Department to create program to support crime victims
The plans for the program were part of a broader discussion during Thursday’s City Council meeting about crime, its impact and prevention. Councilman Luis Viera asked for the session after an increase in violent crime last year. He said there needs to be more conversation around supporting victims of crime.
Lawsuit filed against Palm Harbor YMCA after 3-year-old girl sexually assaulted by two boys
A lawsuit has been filed against the YMCA of the Suncoast after a family says their three-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by two boys in a childcare facility at their center in Palm Harbor.
Pasco County woman's film highlights heroism, trauma recovery after escaping a serial killer
It was 1981 in Orlando when 8-year-old Gina M. Garcia was in a bookstore when she was abducted by a man believed to be Ottis Toole, a serial killer. He took her to his car in a mall parking lot.
Florida Target shooting: Osceola deputies shoot, kill man outside Kissimmee store; 3 others hurt, sheriff says
One person is dead, and three others were injured after a shooting at a Target store Wednesday night in Kissimmee, Florida.
Pinellas County man sentenced to 40 years for killing 17-year-old pregnant with their child
The Pinellas County man who killed a 17-year-old girl who was pregnant with their child in 2012 was sentenced Thursday to 40 years in prison.
Michigan deputy duct taped rescue dog, shot three times, dumped in a ditch - sheriff says
A Michigan sheriff's deputy has been fired after he duct taped his dog and shot it three times before dumping him in a ditch in September.
Deputies investigate after vandal destroys parts of popular fountain in Safety Harbor
A popular fountain near Memorial Pier in Safety Harbor is wrapped in yellow tape after a vandal destroyed parts of the concrete ledges earlier this week.
Lily Peters murder: Chippewa County coroner reveals preliminary autopsy results in 10-year-old’s slaying
Wisconsin authorities have officially declared the death of Lily Peters, the 10-year-old girl who went missing from Chippewa Falls, a homicide.
Caregiver accused of sexually assaulting 90-year-old woman in New Smyrna Beach: police
Billy Bunn, 51, is facing charges including lewd or lascivious offense and battery on a person 65 or older.