The Free Press – Your Source For Tampa Area Local Breaking News, National Stories, Politics, Sports, Florida Agriculture, Legal, Cops and Crime, and Jobs.
U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Thomas Michael Ibarra (30, Brevard County) to 19 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Ibarra had pleaded…
Read More Florida Man Sentenced To 19 Years For Armed Drug Trafficking, Fentanyl
SPRING HILL, Fla. – On Sunday, Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence on the 11000 block of Elgin Boulevard in reference to the report of a conveyance burglary and a petit theft. The victim reported he was inside of his home when he…
Read More Florida Man, San Antonio City Employee, Crashes City Truck After Stealing Grills From Spring Hill Home
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – On Saturday, March 20, 2021, PCSO Detention Deputy Michaela Butler was arrested in unincorporated Arcadia by the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office for one count DUI (M-1). According to the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office affidavit, around 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning, 25-year-old Michaela…
Read More Polk County Sheriff’s Office Detention Deputy Arrested For DUI In Desoto County After Concert
SAINT PETERSBURG, Fla. – Friday two SPPD Sergeants were recognized by the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg with the Ned March/Bud Purdy Award. Sgt. Thaddeus Coffin, Sgt. Chad Fite, their families, and two members of the Rotary Club gathered for a socially distant ceremony where…
Read More Two St. Pete Police Sergeants Honored With The 2020 Ned March, Bud Purdy Awards
The FBI’s Washington Field Office has released new information and videos of suspects in the most egregious assaults on federal officers during the riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and is seeking the public’s help to identify them. It has been two…
Read More FBI: Videos of Assaults on Officers at U.S. Capitol, Seeks Public’s Help to Identify Suspects
A New York man was arrested today for his role in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud and to pay kickbacks and bribes to customers for expensive prescription orders in connection with more than $4 million in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. According to an…
Read More NY Pharmacist Charged in $4 Million Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme
On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, Officer Jesse Madsen was killed in the line of duty. Officer Madsen served the community for over sixteen years with the Tampa Police Department. He served his country with dedication and honor in the United States Marine Corps and Army…
Read More Florida Gov. DeSantis Orders Flags at Half-Staff in Pasco, Tampa, and Tallahassee
TAMPA, Fla. – A 17-year-old male suspect was arrested after he used a car to strike a victim following an argument between the two individuals. At 11:10 p.m. on March 11, 2021, Josthin Molina Cornejo, 17, and the victim were involved in a physical altercation…
Read More 17-Year-Old Arrested After Purposely Hitting Victim With His Car
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz publicly suggested that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis use his executive power to remove a Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, who accused of overseeing an Intelligence Lead Policing program (ILP) that targets and harasses citizens. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday…
Read More ‘Make Their Lives Miserable’ U.S. Rep. Gaetz Calls on Florida Governor to Remove Pasco County Sheriff
FDLE agents arrested four South Florida men, including a father and son, charging them with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, organized scheme to defraud, and multiple counts of extortion. Agents say, Bruce Leonard Chait, Shawn David Chait, and their co-conspirators, Harris Shapiro, John Colonel, and…
Read More Four Florida Men Arrested and Charged With Racketeering, Extortion