Defense files new motion, judge delays decision on whether to disqualify State Attorney’s Office in Jared Bridegan case
A judge was expected to rule Thursday on whether the State Attorney’s Office should be disqualified from prosecuting the couple accused of conspiring to kill 33-year-old Jared Bridegan in 2022.
ATF: Number of confiscated illegal machine gun conversion devices jumped 570% over 5 years
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, there has been a nationwide uptick in the number of machine gun conversion devices being illegally sold on the streets — up more than 500% over a five years period.
Orange Park man accused of selling machine gun conversion devices pleads not guilty
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Clay County man accused of selling unregistered devices online that can convert semiautomatic firearms into machine guns pleaded not guilty Monday in federal court to a single-count indictment. The not-guilty plea came hours after the U.S. Attorney’s Office for announced a federal indictment charging Kristopher Ervin, 41, of Orange Park, with possession of an unregistered machine gun conversion device. The federal government said Ervin had the devices manufactured at a Jacksonville machine shop for $5 each and then sold them for up to $139 a piece. The one-count indictment stems from a tip a federal agent received in January that Ervin was selling the devices online. Agents recovered $3,700, over 1,500 auto-sear devices, machinery that was used to manufacture the devices, guns, computers, and packaging materials.
National Guard troops flooding in as Washington locks down
Members of the National Guard walk past the Dome of the Capitol Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON – All through downtown Washington, the primary sound for several blocks was the beeping of forklifts unloading more fencing. The number of National Guard troops coming to Washington to assist with security has so far grown to about 21,000, Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told Vice President Mike Pence at a briefing Thursday. National Guard members operate under strict rules of engagement on the use of force. D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee estimated Wednesday that more than 20,000 National Guard members would be active in the city on Inauguration Day.
GALLERY: Rioters leave trail of damage throughout Capitol
Some users on social media say “this” is the result of widespread fraud in the Presidential election. Courts, state and federal election officials, news outlets, and even high-ranking Trump allies have investigated claims of widespread election fraud and found they are none that were true. There was no widespread fraud in the Presidential election. News4Jax is working to get pictures this morning from inside the Capitol to show you what’s been left behind. The gallery above shows some, but not all, of the trail of damage rioters left.
Nashville assessing building damage from Christmas bombing
Buildings that were damaged in a Christmas Day explosion are seen, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. Officials are continuing to assess building damage caused by the Christmas Day explosion as law enforcement officials on Thursday allowed media outlets the first opportunity to survey the bomb site. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP, Pool)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Officials are continuing to assess building damage caused by the Christmas Day bombing as law enforcement officials on Thursday allowed media outlets the first opportunity to survey the downtown Nashville explosion site. City officials hoped to finish their assessment of the structural damage of the 41 affected buildings by Thursday. Bill Lee has asked the White House for an emergency declaration to free up money and resources to impacted business owners. Federal officials are continuing to investigate the motive of the man they identified as the bomber, 63-year-old Anthony Quinn Warner,
Jacksonville man accused of trafficking meth in Nassau County
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. - A 25-year-old Jacksonville man is accused of trafficking meth into Nassau County. Deputies said that between July 29 and Aug. 6, investigators working with Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) conducted several undercover drug operations within Nassau County at various area businesses, specifically at Kangaroo and Raceway convenience stores. According to the Sheriff's Office, Kristopher Edwin Barea was caught transporting methamphetamine (ICE) from Jacksonville into Nassau County and selling the illegal drugs. Over 59 grams of meth was seized during the investigation. Barea was charged with sale of a controlled substance and two counts of trafficking methamphetamine over 14 grams.
Search warrants served on owner of Calif. dive boat that burned
(CNN) - The Coast Guard Investigative Service served search warrants on Truth Aquatics, the owner of the diving boat that was swallowed up by flames off the California coast on Labor Day, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Eric Raney told CNN. "The Coast Guard was assisted by ATF which is investigating the fire and the FBI which has expertise in criminal investigations." Thirty-three bodies have been recovered and one remains missing, the sheriff's office said. The escape hatch in the lower bunk level on the Vision-- the similar boat -- was small, difficult to see, access and maneuver, she said. The Labor Day disaster may well spark changes in regulations of commercial dive boats and related vessels, said retired US Coast Guard Capt.