DNA Evidence Destroyed in Manatee County

The nationally known Innocence Project has taken up the case of convicted Manatee County rapist Derrick Williams. They were banking on the importance of a single strand of hair and hoping that it was the key to reversing Williams’ conviction... [Read More]

Unlicensed St. Pete Mortgage Broker Sentenced for Fraud

Victor Clavizzao of St. Petersburg was sentenced this week to five years in federal prison for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud scheme. He will serve three years probation after his release. Clavizzao acted as a mortgage broker but... [Read More]

Florida Sheriff Charged With Government Fraud and Money Laundering

Former Okaloosa County, Florida Sheriff Charlie Morris pleaded not guilty this week to several counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States, theft, wire fraud and money laundering. Federal prosecutors allege that Morris and his former administrative director, Teresa Adams... [Read More]

Tampa Man Sentenced for Selling Prescription Narcotics

Tampa resident Kevin Massimino was sentenced to three years in prison and five years supervised release by a federal judge last week. Massimino pleaded guilty to selling prescription drugs in an operation that involved two Pasco County sheriff’s deputies. Federal... [Read More]

Doctor from Tampa & St. Pete Clinics Indicted on Drug Charges

A Florida doctor and three of his employees were arrested earlier this month on federal drug charges they illegally gave patients prescription drugs at clinics across Florida. Dr. Jeffrey Friedlander operated Neurology & Pain Center clinics in Tampa, St. Petersburg... [Read More]

DUI Charges in New Port Richey “Parking”

Police in Pasco County made an interesting DUI arrest in New Port Richey this week. At about 2 a.m. on Thursday, an officer heard repeated honking from a parked car outside an auto body shop. The officer assumed it was... [Read More]

Orange County Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty in Anthony Case

Orange County prosecutors filed notice of their intent to seek the death penalty in their case against Casey Anthony today. Anthony is charged with the first-degree murder of her two-year-old daughter Caylee. In a case that has captivated the nation... [Read More]

Man Pleads Guilty in Plant City Murder Case to Avoid Death Penalty

Benjamin Wibben from Fort Myers was sentenced Thursday in a Hillsborough County court to life in prison for robbing and killing a Plant City couple who sold cars over the Internet. Wibben pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder... [Read More]

Former Tampa Arena Football Player Convicted of DUI Manslaughter

Former Tampa Bay Storm arena football player Darion Conner was found guilty yesterday in a Tampa court of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Conner’s SUV collided with bicyclist Jonathan Conklin in September 2004. Conklin died of his injuries. Hillsborough County... [Read More]

More Food Stamp Fraud in St. Petersburg

Anton Goubrial of Tampa pleaded guilty in federal court this week to committing food stamp fraud and wire fraud. Goubrial owns Watson’s Food Store in St. Petersburg, where prosecutors alleged that he defrauded the government out of well over $100,000... [Read More]