Latest news with #MikeChitwood
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Miami Herald
28 biker gang members rounded up and charged with rioting in Florida, cops say
A Biker Week brawl at a gas station has resulted in an 'outlaw motorcycle gang' being rounded up and charged with aggravated rioting, according to investigators in Florida. Twenty-eight members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club were arrested July 2, and three more are being sought for arrest, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Aggravated rioting is a second-degree felony that can result in a 15-year prison sentence, officials said. The suspects are accused of participating in a March 8 brawl at a RaceTrac gas station in New Smyrna Beach that coincided with the 84th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week in nearby Daytona Beach. The 10-day event is billed as 'one of the world's largest motorcycle events.' 'According to witnesses, a large group of motorcyclists engaged in a fight in the parking lot, which eventually escalated into gunfire,' New Smyrna Beach police said in a March 10 news release. 'Two victims sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and were treated at local hospitals.' The brawl involved a dispute between the Mongols and a rival gang called the Warlocks, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. Many of the witnesses were 'uncooperative' with investigators, police said. Surveillance video from the gas station revealed seven people were armed with guns and four fired shots, officials said. In addition to the arrests, search warrants were executed at 'the Mongols Clubhouse in Edgewater, four homes in Volusia County, three homes in Brevard County, two homes in Miami-Dade County, one home in Chesterfield County, VA, one home in Palm Beach County, and two homes in Polk County,' Volusia County officials said. The searches were conducted with the help of FBI agents and law enforcement officers from departments across the Southeast, the sheriff's office said. 'This is just the beginning of the storm. ... Please, do not think for a minute that the Mongols ... is just these great people riding around having fun,' Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. 'The Mongols are recognized nationally as a domestic terroristic gang involved in extortion, murder, violent crime, theft, burglary, drugs and they're recognized internationally. So today, law enforcement takes back the streets.' The Mongols club is considered an 'outlaw motorcycle gang' with members serving as 'conduits for criminal enterprises,' including cross-border drug smuggling, the Department of Justice reports. New Smyrna Beach is about a 55-mile drive northeast from Orlando.
The Guardian
25-06-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Man on honeymoon dies after being struck by lightning on Florida beach
A newlywed man visiting Florida on his honeymoon recently died after reportedly being struck by lightning while standing in shallow water with a blue sky over him. The death of Jake Rosencranz, 29, in New Smyrna Beach was considered unusual because it is 'rare' for someone to be struck by lightning from a storm that is several miles away, local beach safety director Tammy Malphurs told Florida news outlet WKMG. Though that occasionally happens, Rosencranz, of Colorado, was the first person to be killed by lightning in Florida in 2025. His death nonetheless served as a grim reminder that Florida in 2024 led the US in both lightning fatalities (12) and strikes per square mile (76), according to a report from the environmental technology provider AEM. Rosencranz had been in New Smyrna Beach with his wife, Leah, on a delayed honeymoon, local sheriff Mike Chitwood said on a social media post. While standing in ankle-deep water under clear skies, lightning struck him at about 12.30pm on 20 June, Malphurs's agency reportedly said. 'There was not a storm immediately over us,' Malphurs told a Denver Post reporter. 'This lightning bolt came from a storm several miles away.' Emergency responders performed CPR on him and took him to a hospital in critical condition. He died there on 21 June, authorities said. On social media, Chitwood wrote 'in one terrifying second everything changed' for Rosencranz and his wife. 'They were visiting our beaches to celebrate their marriage,' Chitwood added. He also wrote that Rosencranz 'should have had many … anniversaries with her for years to come'. 'Sending sincere condolences to this young woman on behalf of all of us … who were hoping against hope that the diligent efforts of [first responders and hospital doctors] would bring him back to her,' Chitwood said. Rosencranz – who was originally from Boston – graduated from the University of Denver in 2019, according to his LinkedIn page as well as an online biography. He then worked for a Denver construction company before working as a project manager for the Behm Consulting Group in the same city. His biography at the Behm Consulting Group's website said he enjoyed skiing, golf and exploring the Rocky mountains with his wife and their dog, Bonnie. The biography listed his favorite quote as: 'When's the best time complete a task? Yesterday.' 'Not sure who said this, but my wife reminds me often,' Rosencranz's biographical page said. In a statement on Tuesday, Behm Consulting Group's president, Nick Behm, said: 'Jake Rosencranz was a great friend and beloved colleague.' 'We are heartbroken over this terrible loss,' Behm's statement said. 'We are sending love and support to his wife, Leah, and his family. He will be missed.' The National Weather Service generally considers it highly unlikely for most people to be struck by lightning. People who live for about 80 years have one-in-15,300 odds of enduring such an experience. But 20 June in New Smyrna Beach evidently was another matter altogether. Rosencranz was among three people to be hit by lighting there after noon that day. The other two were golfers who were indirectly struck by lightning at the Venetian Bay course, the local fire department said to WKMG. Neither golfer struck needed to be hospitalized, the agency said to the outlet. In a post published after Rosencranz's death, meteorologist Matt Devitt of Florida's WINK news station said hearing thunder is a sign that one is 'close enough to potentially get struck' by lightning. That is the case even if lightning is not visible. 'When thunder roars, go indoors,' Devitt's post said, invoking an oft-used meteorological safety adage.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Yahoo
Dad Arrested For Leaving Son in Hot Car Amid Nationwide Heatwave
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency amid the heatwave over the state and many parts of the country. In Florida, Sheriff Mike Chitwood slammed a dad for allegedly leaving his 18-month-old son in a hot car for three hours while he got a haircut and going to a bar. Police say Scott Gardner knew little Sebastian was dead, but drove to his mothers house, where he called 911. Doctors say Sebastian's body was 111 degrees. Gardner has been charged with manslaughter.
Fox News
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Fox News
Honeymoon ends in tragedy as lightning strike claims newlywed's life on Florida beach
A fairytale turned into a nightmare after authorities reveal that the man killed by a lightning strike on a Florida beach was on his honeymoon. The Volusia County Beach Safety confirmed to WTVG that the victim, a 29-year-old man, was visiting from Colorado with his new bride, when he was struck by lightning on Friday afternoon while he was standing in ankle-deep water. The victim was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where he later died from his injuries, Volusia County Beach Safety Director Tammy Malphurs shared in an update on Monday with WESH. Malphurs told the outlet that the storm was still miles away from the beach, making the strike "an extremely rare occurrence." "It was clear blue sky, and the storm was like miles away from us," a witness described to WESH. Volusia County Mike Chitwood addressed the tragedy and also confirmed the victim was a tourist visiting on his honeymoon. "So sorry for the tragic loss of a young man here on a delayed honeymoon with his wife," Chitwood wrote in a post on Facebook. "At 29 years old, he should have had many more anniversaries with her for years to come. Sending sincere condolences to this young woman on behalf of all of us in Volusia County who were hoping against hope that the diligent efforts of our lifeguards, EMS team and ER staff would bring him back to her," he continued. City officials confirmed to WTVG that two other people were also "indirectly struck" by lightning in New Smyrna Beach on Friday. Both victims were reportedly golfing at the Venetian Bay Golf Course when they were struck. However, neither person had to be taken to a hospital for treatment, according to the outlet. Florida experiences more lightning strikes per square mile than any other state, averaging about 1.2 million lightning strikes each year, according to the Florida Department of Health. This was the first death caused by lightning in Florida in 2025. So far, there have been at least 3 lightning-related deaths in 2025, taking place in North Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas, according to the National Weather Service. Fox News Digital reached out to the Volusia County Beach Safety and Volusia County Sheriff's Office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
No-nonsense sheriff confronts man who threatened to kill him
A no-nonsense Florida sheriff confronted a man who has been charged with threatening to assassinate him and demanded to know why he wants him dead. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood went toe-to-toe with Matthew Moulton, 45, following his arrest in Washington state. Moulton sent Chitwood an unhinged email accusing him of proliferating ' AI child porn' after the sheriff threatened to publish delinquent children's mugshots, court documents state. He then allegedly told the law enforcement officer, 'I'm going to have to threaten you with death'. Police in Florida said they traced Moulton's email address and contacted the College Place Police Department in Washington. He was arrested on March 31 and extradited all the way to Volusia County, where he is being prosecuted for a felony charge of written threats to kill or do bodily injury. His extradition last has made waves after Chitwood decided to confront Moulton as he was escorted through Daytona Beach International Airport last week. 'Matthew, I'm Sheriff Chitwood. I'm the guy you want to kill, and there's nothing I can do about it. Challenge accepted,' Chitwood taunted. Moulton told the sheriff he'd merely sent him a Bible verse from Romans 5, but Chitwood was undeterred. 'You do know in Florida, a written threat to kill is a felony. You know that, right?' the sheriff asked. 'Just so you know, I'm the one who made sure you came back, and I hope you enjoy your stay at the branch jail.' In a raspy voice, Moulton said Chitwood 'violated his federal rights'. 'I will also tell you that you will not see Mickey Mouse on this trip, and you have to reimburse us for your flight here and for your stay at the at the county jail,' Chitwood said, talking over the suspect. Chitwood then asked him to 'look me in the eye and tell me why you want me dead.' Moulton did not directly answer, but began ranting about Christianity and telling the sheriff he wasn't a Christian. Chitwood argued back and insisted he is a Christian. 'OK, we're going to take you where you need to go. We will make sure the cell has rubber in it,' the sheriff said as Moulton was shown climbing into the back of a police car. Moulton first contacted Chitwood after the sheriff announced his new policy regarding children's mugshots, according to court documents. In the email authorities claim was authored by Moulton, he leveled wild accusations at Chitwood involving AI child porn. 'Do you know what the Internet does with the images of children you expose? They put them into AI and make child porn out of them. They post them on 4Chan,' the email said. During a September press conference, Chitwood raged at underage students who had either brought guns to schools or had made written threats. 'Since parents, you don't want to raise your kids, I'm gonna start raising them. Every time we make an arrest, your kid's photo is gonna be put out there. And if I could do it, I'm gonna perp walk your kid, so that everybody can see what your kid's up to,' he said. Chitwood made good on that promise right away, posting a video of his deputies perp walking an 11-year-old boy who allegedly had a kill list and threatened to shoot up two schools. The boy, Carlo 'Kingston' Dorelli, was also found to be in possession of a large cache of weapons, though they appeared to be fake. Police said they found airsoft rifles, fake ammunition, swords, knives and throwing stars in his bedroom. Tyler Meyer, 32, also threatened Chitwood. He would later plead no contest and was forced to reimburse the sheriff's department for the costs it incurred to extradite him from California to Florida Officials also allegedly found a paper in his room with several names that appeared to have stab marks next to them. 'He had written a list of names and targets,' Chitwood said at the time. 'He says it was all a joke.' Moulton is current in jail on a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned on June 19, 2025. His arrest report also mentions Moulton's account on GAB, which is marketed as a free-speech social media platform. His account contains several bizarre posts, including one where he is holding a black, patterned knife that has a cross dangling from the blade. Since his legal troubles began, Moulton also shared his GiveSendGo page that is supposed to raise money for his defense. The page, which he titled 'Our Rights Have Been Crucified', has pulled in just one donation of $25 from one of his friends on GAB. Moulton's goal is to raise $1 million. Chitwood, sheriff of Volusia County since 2017, is no stranger to death threats. Since 2023, he has been on the receiving end of threats from seven different men spread all over the country. At least three avid users of 4chan, a social media site known for hosting neo-Nazis, were charged in 2023 after threatening to kill him. Chitwood has long been an outspoken critic of hate groups, especially ones that espouse anti-semitism. The men who made threats were described as Nazi sympathizers by authorities. They include 40-year-old Richard Golden of New Jersey, 32-year-old Tyler Meyer of California, 25-year-old Cristhian Zapata, and Tony Stromberg of Canada. All three men pleaded no contest and were forced to pay several thousand dollars to reimburse the sheriff's department for the cost of their extradition. Golden also spent 366 days in prison after he was sentenced on December 1, 2023. Three other men have also made death threats against Chitwood since 2023, including one man from Alberta, Canada, who allegedly said he would kill the sheriff and his family members.
