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INSIDER

FDLE

Black community’s distrust of law enforcement goes back centuries

They were the epitome of racist law enforcement officials.”Today calls for justice and police reform stems from police killings and excessive force used in Black communities. AdHurst said saying “black lives matter” does not mean it’s instead of anyone, but that it means black lives matter, also. “But the response to that invariably is, ‘blue lives matter.’ Blue lives have always mattered,” he said. “If you really look at these policies they’re not antagonistic towards law enforcement officers. JSO and other law enforcement agencies do have outreach programs and transparency resources for the community.

Florida data scientist sues FDLE after home raided

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The former state data scientist whose home was recently searched by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now suing the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for damages. In the lawsuit, Rebekah Jones denies sending a message from a Florida Department of Health emergency alert system and instead suggests she was targeted by state law enforcement for political reasons. FDLE executed a search warrant on Jones’ home earlier this month and took her computer, hard drives and cell phone. Johnson said his client’s IP address could have easily been spoofed and the login credentials for the alert system were available online. The lawsuit also suggests FDLE had an incentive to target Jones because of disparaging comments Gov.

Orlando officer kills man who pointed gun, chief says

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – An Orlando police officer fatally shot a man who pointed a gun at officers, the city’s police chief said. Chief Orlando Rolon told reporters that the man's wife called 911 late Wednesday that her husband was inside their apartment with their 10-month-old child. When officers arrived, the man walked outside and pointed a gun, Rolon said. Rolon said officers had been to the apartment previously about an armed altercation, but he did not have details. The shooting is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as is customary.

Florida’s Amber Alert system is getting an upgrade

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The next time you get an Amber Alert on your phone, it will look a little different. In hopes of better informing the public, FDLE is making upgrades to its Amber and Missing Child Alert systems. This year alone, there have already been 18 Florida Amber and 28 Missing Child Alerts. Since its inception in 2000, the Amber Alert system has led to the safe recovery of 77 children. And 65 have been recovered since 2003 thanks to Missing Child Alerts.

Republicans cry foul over Bloomberg donations for felon voters

The controversy comes after former Democratic Presidential Candidate Michael Bloomberg pledged to donate at least $16 million to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. “It doesn’t smell good, it doesn’t look good,” said Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a Republican. Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Deputy Director Neil Volz said the organization doesn’t ask about the race or political leanings of the felons whose fines they pay. The coalition told us it has so far spent $5 million to pay the fines and fees of 5,000 felons. There are estimated to be about 750,000 felons in Florida currently blocked from voting because of outstanding costs related to their sentence.

Prosecutor: No ultimatum given to Sheriff Daniels

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The special prosecutor handling the criminal case against Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels pushed back Friday against the suggestion that he gave Daniels a choice to either resign and cancel his reelection bid or be arrested, saying there is no truth to that claim. His attorney said Daniels has no plans to step down and will continue to seek reelection. I do not know Sheriff Daniels, his politics, his opponents, nor for that matter any citizen in Clay County. Under the terms of the deal offered by King, Daniels would have been required to resign, withdraw his bid for reelection, forfeit his law enforcement certificate and never run for sheriff in Florida again. As part of that deal, the prosecutor would have agreed not to pursue the criminal case against Daniels.

FDLE cancels missing child alert after 9-month-old found safe

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – UPDATE: This is a cancellation to the Missing Child Alert that was issued on 08/03/2020 for Noah Sims. Investigators said Sims may be traveling with 36-year-old Corey Sims. A spokesperson for Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the 36-year-old is the baby’s father. According to police, Corey Sims left a residence with his son and is refusing to return with him. Noah Sims was last seen wearing a light blue polo short, coral, casual shorts, and white sneakers.

Special prosecutor appointed to Clay County sheriff investigation

Ron DeSantis has appointed a Central Florida state attorney as a special prosecutor to take over the investigation of Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels. She began a relationship with Daniels when she worked for him when they were both at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the affair continued after he was elected sheriff. A Clay County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told News4Jax earlier in the month that Daniels has no comment at this time. Daniels has been the subject of a state investigation into allegations of official misconduct since last year. At the time, an FDLE spokesperson acknowledged the state was initially provided information by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Daniels’ former employer and had since received additional information.

State attorney seeks independent prosecutor for investigation into Clay County sheriff

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – State Attorney Melissa Nelson is recusing herself from the investigation into Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels, who’s been under scrutiny from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for more than a year. A Clay County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told News4Jax Thursday afternoon that Daniels has no comment at this time. “I’m still committed to the job that we do in Clay County,” the sheriff said at the time. Daniels has been the subject of a state investigation into allegations of official misconduct since last year. At the time, an FDLE spokesperson acknowledged the state was initially provided information by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Daniels’ former employer, and had since received additional information.

Jacksonville police: Missing 11-year-old boy found safe

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville police announced early Tuesday morning that a missing 11-year-old boy was found safe. The Missing Child Alert was first issued about 9:10 a.m. Sunday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. On Monday, people in the complex, where Keavon’s photo on missing posters are posted, were hopeful he’ll be found safe. “Sometimes 11-year-olds want to do what they want to do, but this is something to take very seriously because there’s a child missing,” a neighbor in the apartment complex said Monday. The FDLE canceled the Missing Child Alert about 4 a.m. Tuesday.

Columbia County man charged with 10 counts of child porn possession

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – A Columbia County man was arrested Tuesday after child pornography was discovered inside his apartment, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said. Jarod Dustin Rice, 33, is charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography. The FDLE, along with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant at Rice’s apartment on Sundial Place off U.S. 41, just south of Lake City. According to the FDLE, child pornography, some of which showed children as young as 7 years old, was found inside. Rice was booked about 12:30 p.m. into the Columbia County jail, online jail records show.