Latest news with #BrevardCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ICE raids ramp up on Florida's Space Coast with construction workers, landscapers detained
The Brief ICE Agents and Brevard County deputies are making arrests in Cocoa. Eyewitnesses say the latest string of arrests happened at an apartment complex and involved a construction crew. A new Congressional bill was introduced on Wednesday to improve transparency with increased immigration arrests. COCOA, Fla. - The Brevard County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wednesday that deputies assisted federal immigration authorities in Cocoa this week, sparking concern among residents and drawing new calls for transparency in immigration enforcement. What we know The Brevard County Sheriff's Office confirmed deputies assisted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations on Tuesday in Cocoa. Witnesses recorded the interaction with law enforcement that took place at an apartment complex on Clearlake Road. In images shared with FOX 35, multiple deputy and immigration vehicles were parked outside the Oak Meadows leasing office, and at least one vehicle was towed from the scene. Other photos sent to FOX 35 show other landscape workers being detained by immigration authorities and deputies earlier in the month on State Road 520 and Blake Avenue. Legal experts say employers can face consequences for hiring undocumented workers in Florida. People who saw the arrest at the apartment complex say residents and workers are fearful and are seeing authorities in the area more often. A new bill, called the Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment (SUDEM) Act, was introduced by Congressman Maxwell Frost on Wednesday to try and increase transparency with ICE agents sharing information publicly when arrests are made. The Speaker of the House says more focus should instead be put on supporting ICE agents and making sure they have resources to make arrests. What we don't know It's unclear how many people were detained in either situation in Cocoa. It's also unclear if their families were alerted by ICE about the arrests. We don't know if the people had warrants out for other crimes or only their immigration status. What they're saying People who saw the arrests are worried about families being notified since they're happening at work. Legal experts say it's not just employees who can face consequences if working illegally. Employers can also be held accountable in Florida. "Nobody should be fearful of living day to day in their homes or going to work," said Amaya Ruiz, who is concerned about how the arrests are affecting families in the community. "For employers that have more than 25 employees they have to do mandatory E-Verify to make sure they're not hiring undocumented workers," said civil attorney Carlos Martin with Forest Lake Law. "This bill is a step towards pulling back the curtain on our immigration and detention system," said Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost, who just filed new legislation to improve transparency with ICE arrests. "It's a patriotic duty. They're understaffed. They're overwhelmed with the workload. They're trying to go after the dangerous criminal illegal aliens," said Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who says ICE agents need more resources to continue making arrests. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source FOX 35's Reporter Esther Bower has been monitoring social media for weeks when people have shared photos and videos of ICE and Brevard deputies arresting workers in Cocoa. She spoke with Brevard Sheriff to confirm their deputies were assisting ICE on June 18, 2025. She also interviewed an eyewitness to the latest arrests. On the same day, she watched a press briefing where new legislation was introduced by a Central Florida lawmaker on the immigration issue.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Florida attorney general, FHP, Brevard County sheriff to hold ICE news conference Thursday morning
The Brief A press conference will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Brevard County Sheriff's Office in Titusville, Florida. Speakers include Attorney General James Uthmeier, Sheriff Wayne Ivey, and other state and federal officials. Further details about what the news conference will be about were not released. TITUSVILLE, Fla. - Attorney General James Uthmeier will join Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and other top law enforcement and immigration officials for a press conference on Thursday morning. The briefing will take place at the Brevard County Sheriff's Office in Titusville, Uthmeier will also be joined by Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze, State Board of Immigration Enforcement Executive Director Larry Keefe and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement State Liaison Officer Anthony Coker Further details about what the news conference will be about were not released. FOX 35 News will stream the conference at the top of this page. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
3rd suspect identified in Cocoa shooting that injured toddler
The Brief A toddler was shot in the pelvis on May 13, outside Cocoa Meat & Produce, where three men opened fire on a 17-year-old who was with the child and her mother. Two suspects have been arrested in the case. A third suspect, Lynnard Semaj Woods, 19, remains at large, and investigators are still working to determine the motive. COCOA, Fla. - Brevard County deputies continue to search for a third suspect in the shooting of a toddler. Wanted Suspect At-Large Lynnard Semaj Woods, 19, is wanted for a shooting earlier this month in Cocoa. The child was sitting in a stroller when three people hopped out of a car and engaged in a shootout, injuring the little girl. Two others have already been arrested. The backstory The shooting happened on May 13 outside the Cocoa Meat & Produce on South Burnett Road in West Cocoa, officials said. Three people in a black Mercedes and a man and woman pushing a stroller with a toddler in it began shooting at each other in a "gunfight," Sheriff Ivey said. The fight was apparently over some ongoing feud between the groups. The baby was shot in the pelvis and is expected to survive. The 17-year-old boy who was walking with the woman and baby was arrested on a charge of possession of a firearm. A 32-year-old man was also arrested on a number of charges related to the incident. What they're saying Authorities are looking for one more person. "It takes a community to protect a community, and Brevard County is the best there is at doing it, so let's serve up a little Brevard County Justice and put Woods where he belongs, behind bars at Ivey's Iron Bar Lodge," Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said. What you can do Anyone with information is asked to contact the Brevard County Sheriff's Office or Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477, email wheeloffugitive@ or call the Fugitive Unit directly at 321-622-1227. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
West Cocoa shooting: Teen arrested 400 miles away in Georgia
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - A 17-year-old boy wanted in connection to a chaotic shootout outside a West Cocoa grocery store that left a baby shot, has been arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office said. What we know U.S. Marshals and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office tracked the 17-year-old to Atlanta, Georgia – more than 400 miles away from Brevard County, Florida, where he was arrested. FOX 35 is not naming the boy due to his age. He is expected to be extradited back to Brevard County, where he'll face a number of charges, including aggravated child abuse, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, discharging a firearm in public, possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent, and open carry of a weapon. What they're saying "You can run, but you can't hide!! Now in my opinion, if you want to act like a tough guy by firing a gun in the direction of an innocent 2 year old, then be man enough to stand by your actions instead of hiding like a baby!!" - Sheriff Wayne Ivey. BCSO previously clarified to FOX 35 that the child was 1, not 2. The backstory The shooting happened on May 13 outside the Cocoa Meat & Produce on South Burnett Road in West Cocoa, officials said. Three people in a black Mercedes and a man and woman pushing a stroller with a 1-year-old in it began shooting at each other in a "gunfight," Sheriff Ivey said. The fight was apparently over some ongoing feud between the groups. The baby was shot in the pelvis and is expected to survive. The 17-year-old boy who was walking with the woman and baby was arrested on a charge of possession of a firearm. A 32-year-old man was also arrested on a number of charges related to the incident. Authorities are looking for one more person, though specifics have not been released. What you can do Anyone with information is asked to contact the Brevard County Sheriff's Office or Crimeline. The Source The information comes from Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Brevard County Sheriff's Office, and online arrest records and court records.
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘El Gordo y la Flaca' star stopped for speeding in Florida. That wasn't all, cops say
'Carlitos el Productor,' from 'El Gordo y la Flaca,' was arrested on the Space Coast of Florida early Sunday. According to a police report from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, the trouble for the diminutive comedian (real name: Juan Espinosa), began around 2 a.m., near Rockledge. The probable cause affidavit says a deputy traveling northbound on I-95 observed a car in another lane approaching at a 'very high rate of speed.' Radar indicated the vehicle, a 2018 black Chevrolet Equinox, was going 118 mph in a 70 mph zone. The officer initiated a traffic stop and smelled a 'distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating' from Espinosa, the driver. Also noted was 'nystagmus,' or rapid, involuntary eye movement, which indicates possible alcohol consumption, the complaint said. In the back seat, the officer saw two children sleeping; a passenger was asleep in the front seat as well. The Cuba native, who turns 42 May 29, refused a field sobriety test and was arrested. Later released on $6,500 bond, he faces two charges of child neglect and driving while intoxicated. The Miami resident — who was born with achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder — has said that confidence and a sense of humor helped him succeed. 'Either they laugh at me or they laugh with me,' the TV personality recently told Rodner Figueroa on his podcast 'Face to Face,' adding he feels 'six feet tall.'
