Latest news with #PortStLucie
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
'Cold-blooded killer'; grand jury indicts man in slaying of woman in St. Lucie County
ST. LUCIE COUNTY − A grand jury July 9 indicted a man on first-degree murder and other charges following the death in March of Toni Lynn Marie Trabb, 58, of Port St. Lucie, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office. Along with the murder charge, Carlos Tito Caban, 52, faces charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, fraudulent use of a credit card, and criminal use of personal identification following the slaying. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty in the case, according to the Sheriff's Office. 'This guy's a cold-blooded killer as far as I'm concerned, and he is exactly where he needs to be right now,' Sheriff Richard Del Toro said at a July 10 media briefing. Trabb was found March 24 by cleaning staff at the Best Western hotel, in the 7900 block of South U.S. 1, in a second-floor room. Rescue and sheriff's officials arrived at the scene before Trabb was pronounced dead. Del Toro said Trabb was found with "severe blunt trauma and ultimately strangled to death." He said Caban checked into the hotel under his name, but used her credit card. Sheriff's officials on March 25 identified Caban, a sex offender, as 'officially our suspect' following the homicide. Investigators March 25 were notified by authorities in Tifton, Georgia, that Caban was stopped in Trabb's Toyota Corolla there. Tifton is about 370 miles from Port St. Lucie. A bulletin was put out for the vehicle, Del Toro said, and police officers coming out of a gym spotted it based on the bulletin and took Caban into custody. Caban was with another woman. 'Details were later learned from Georgia authorities that the woman that was with Mr. Caban met him in the Orlando, Florida area," Del Toro said. "And he told her at that time he was traveling to New York and she just decided to go along for the ride because she had nothing pretty much better going on.' Lt. Andrew Bolonka, sheriff's spokesperson, said at the time that Caban faced charges out of Florida related to the conditions of his sex offender status. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Caban in January 2021 was convicted in Indian River County of sexual battery by an adult on an adult with aggravating circumstances. He was released from prison in 2023, according to the state Department of Corrections. Sheriff's officials said a variety of items reportedly were dumped in a field in Georgia, and a person there looked through it and found Trabb's name on some paperwork. That person notified law enforcement officials there. Trabb's father, Anthony Borello, in an interview at his Port St. Lucie home, said shortly after the slaying that his daughter was a smart, special woman who enjoyed cooking and was 'pretty fluent' in Spanish. Borello said Trabb was born in New York. She was twice married, and has a daughter, who teaches school, and a son in college, both in the New Jersey area. She has a sister and a half-sister. Borello said his daughter struggled with alcohol, and that "every now and then she'd fall off.' Borello said Trabb 'was seeing a lot of' Caban over the past two months before her death. 'First time I met him, I didn't like him,' Borello said. 'Second time I met him, I didn't like him even more.' Borello said he last saw Trabb March 21, before she left early the next morning as he slept. He assumed it was to meet with Caban, and she texted him over the weekend. 'She said, 'Oh, we're out having a good time, and the beach was nice, and we're gonna get a bite,'' Borello said. 'So, I'm assuming it was this guy.' Del Toro said his understanding is that Caban and Trabb met on a dating website about a month and a half before the incident occurred. 'He started, according to a friend of Ms. Trabb that had spoken with her before her death, exhibiting some signs of violent behavior towards her,' Del Toro said. Alleged improper med spa: 'Facial paralysis' and 'illegal backyard shed med spa' found in Port St. Lucie, police say Update in deadly encounter: Arrest made in slaying of 19-year-old woman from Fort Pierce Del Toro said investigators spoke to Caban, and he was able to see the death penalty was being pursued. Caban 'basically says you guys pretty much know what happened, and I want an attorney," Del Toro said. To determine whether capital punishment is warranted, the state is required to identify the aggravating circumstances, or reasons why a sentence of death is legal and appropriate. Prosecutors cited six statutory aggravators related to Trabb's murder including: The killing was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel The capital felony was committed by a person previously convicted of a felony and under sentence of imprisonment or placed on community control or on felony probation. The defendant was previously convicted of another capital felony or of a felony involving the use or threat of violence to the person. The capital felony was committed for pecuniary gain. The felony was a homicide and was committed in a cold calculated and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification. The capital felony was committed by a person designated as a sexual predator pursuant to (Florida statute) 775.21 or a person previously designated as a sexual Predator who had the sexual predator designation removed. Prosecutors weigh such aggravators against any potential mitigating evidence, such as substance abuse, neurological troubles or diminished mental health. (This story has been updated with more information and video) Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Sex offender charged with murder in death of 58-year-old woman
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Florida woman's decision to get Botox in grubby garden shed ends in DISFIGUREMENT
A Florida woman was left with facial paralysis after receiving Botox injections at an illegal spa operating out of a backyard shed, according to police. In May, an unidentified woman contacted the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD) with concerns about a medical treatment she had recently received from a woman named Rosa Mena, who was allegedly running a covert spa out of a backyard shed, according to a statement posted by the department on Facebook. The victim claimed the procedure left her with lasting facial paralysis - raising alarming suspicions that the makeshift med salon was operating without a license. A multi-agency investigation into the woman's claims uncovered an 'overwhelming amount of evidence,' ultimately leading to the arrest of 50-year-old Rosa Mena on Thursday. 'We want to remind the public to research the facility and individual prior to performing procedures,' the department wrote to the post. 'In order to perform injectable procedures like Botox, it needs to be performed by a licensed professional.' On May 17, encouraged by coworkers' recommendations, the victim visited Rosa's Miracle Hand and Spa, hoping for Botox injections, CBS 12 News reported. The woman was then led by Mena into an outdoor shed, allegedly outfitted to resemble a legitimate medical spa - complete with injectable supplies and a CoolSculpting machine visible inside. After receiving a staggering 62 units of Botox, the victim paid Mena $325 and left - unaware that those injections could potentially alter the course of her life forever. While the number of units needed varies by individual, professionals typically recommend 15 to 30 units for horizontal forehead lines and up to 40 units for '11 lines' - or glabellar lines - between the eyes, according to Healthline. According to the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, the average cost per unit of Botox ranges from $10 to $30. A typical treatment involves 20 to 40 units, which translates to a total cost between $325 and $600. Soon after the bizarre backyard session, the woman began suffering partial facial paralysis. Worried, she returned to Mena's spa seeking a follow-up treatment. During the follow-up visit, Mena injected the woman with a B-vitamin complex before sending her on her way - but the woman's symptoms only worsened, according to the department's statement. By this point, the alleged victim had no choice but to confront Mena, who quickly refunded her hundreds of dollars and urged her to come back for more vitamin injections - claiming they would 'reverse' the damage. As her symptoms only persisted with no relief, she demanded Mena's credentials and proof of qualifications to perform such a risky procedure. Mena never provided any legitimate records, and instead presented a clearly forged phlebotomy certificate, according to the police department. Alarmed by the suspicious credentials, the victim contacted the issuing agency - and soon discovered the license had expired in February 2024. When confronted with the expired license, Mena brushed off the woman's concerns, insisting instead that she was a doctor in the Dominican Republic. Ultimately, the victim contacted the Port St. Lucie Police Department, triggering a months-long investigation that brought together multiple agencies - PSLPD, Code Enforcement, the Building Department, Business Tax Division and the Florida Department of Health. On July 9, authorities executed a search warrant at Mena's residence, uncovering a trove of evidence that corroborated the victim's claims, according to police. Neighbors described as a chaotic scene - with several police cars swarming the area and loudspeaker announcements blaring in both English and Spanish, CBS 12 reported. Once inside, authorities discovered medical beds, fat-sculpting machines, laser hair removal and liposuction equipment, as well as injection devices used for both fillers and Botox. The residence also contained needles, vials, and prescription medications - further evidence of unlicensed medical procedures taking place inside, the department said. Mena's Instagram account was also uncovered, which was filled with photos of her performing various procedures on other individuals - though, so far, no additional victims have come forward, according to police. With clear evidence of unlicensed and unregulated medical treatments being performed out of the backyard shed, Mena was taken into custody. 'There was probably like 10, 15 police cars and some wagon - I didn't know what that was for,' neighbor John Jones told the CBS 12, recalling the scene. 'Then all of a sudden, I see a girl come out in handcuffs,' he added. Mena is now facing several felony charges, including three counts of aggravated battery causing bodily harm, three counts of practicing medicine without an active license and one count of fraud-swindle involving property valued under $20,000. She is also charged with one count of fraud-swindle involving property valued at $300 and one count of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. On Thursday morning, Mena appeared in court and was held on a $95,000 bond, according to WPTV News. She is currently being held at the St. Lucie County Jail.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Former Mets star lists $30M ranch where now-infamous 'wild boar' injury took place
After officially retiring from his baseball playing days, a former New York Mets star is selling his mega mansion that was built around the corner from the team's spring training base. Former outfielder Yoenis Cespedes hasn't played in the MLB for five years and is now ready to let go of his massive mansion in Port St. Lucie, Florida - at the price of $30million. Sitting on 400 acres, Cespedes' sprawling home features creature comforts and lavish luxuries. However, Mets fans will remember this house as the site of a well-publicized run-in with a wild boar that led to the star missing playing time. Called 'La Potencia II' (translated to 'The Power'), the 16,000-square-foot main residence features six bedrooms and five bathrooms. Additionally, on the inside, you'll find a massive main living room with a fire place, a massive eat-in kitchen, a games room with a pool table, and an extravagant all-glass wine room next to an ornate bar. Multiple other living rooms are dotted throughout the residence - which also features the likes of walk-in closets and elegant bathrooms. Outside, there's a gorgeous patio - complete with its own kitchen, eating space, and a wet bar. There's also a decadent heated pool - with a separate hot tub and an attached water feature. But there's also plenty of features that indicate this was the home of a professional athlete. Not only is there a stocked barber shop, there's also a well-equipped gym as well as a separate batting cage. Finally, when you step out of the enclosure, you'll find a stable for 12 horses as well as a training facility for the equine creatures attached to the property. Of course, Mets fans remember this mansion as the site of an infamous injury that Cespedes sustained from a 'wild boar' in 2019. While the Mets general manager at the time said that Cespedes sustained a broken ankle in a 'violent fall', it was later reported that the two-time All-Star actually had a run-in with the wild animal. Cespedes tried mounting an MLB comeback in 2024, but that was unsuccessful. The 39-year-old won a Gold Glove award, a Silver Slugger award, and two Home Run Derby competitions throughout his eight year career in the majors.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Port St. Lucie man dies after being injured in June crash
PORT ST. LUCIE − An 80-year-old man injured in a June 19 crash on Northwest St. James Drive succumbed to his injuries July 6, according to Port St. Lucie Police. Nicolas Gomez, of Port St. Lucie, was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce following the two-vehicle crash. He died about 2 a.m. July 6, police stated. Police about 8:37 p.m. June 19 went to the scene at Northwest St. James and Northwest Manville drives, Sgt. Dominick Mesiti, police spokesperson, has said. Police reported a preliminary investigation found an 80-year-old man drove a Mitsubishi on Northwest Manville Drive. He was turning left to go north onto Northwest St. James Drive. Meanwhile, a 23-year-old woman drove a four-door Infiniti south on Northwest St. James Drive, and the crash occurred at the intersection, Mesiti has said. The Infiniti rolled over after the crash, Mesiti stated. Fatal fire under investigation: One person dead after house fire in St. Lucie County Two gunfire incidents: Separate shooting incidents under investigation in Fort Pierce The driver of the Infiniti sustained non-life threatening injuries and also was taken to Lawnwood, police stated. No passengers were in the vehicles, and the drivers showed no signs of impairment, police stated. Those who saw the crash or have video are asked to contact Traffic Homicide Investigator Nikki Tomczyk at 772-871-5001 or Treasure Coast Crimestoppers at 800-273-8477. Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: An 80-year-old man died after being injured in June 19 crash
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Wealthy Georgia wife arrested for drunkenly killing husband in shocking golf cart accident
A wealthy Georgia wife was arrested for drunkenly driving a golf cart, leading to her husband's death in a shocking accident. Cynthia Mackin, 62, was behind the wheel of a golf cart at Astor Creek Golf and Country Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Saturday evening when her 59-year-old husband, Daniel Mackin, fell from the back rail and landed head-first on the sidewalk. According to investigators, Daniel lost his grip and struck his head on the concrete as the cart traveled along a sidewalk on Southwest Astor Creek Parkway near Southwest Shinnecock Drive. He was rushed to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital - 11 miles from the course - where he later died. 'Operator was consuming alcohol, the passenger even more,' Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk told WPTV. 'It was just an unsafe situation,' he continued, adding that the affluent couple had been playing golf when the incident occurred. Following the tragedy, police launched a DUI investigation and arrested the well-off wife for driving under the influence. Cynthia, a native of Greensboro, Georgia, was then taken to the St. Lucie County Jail and later released on a $500 bond. 'It's a tragic situation her husband passed,' Niemczyk said, adding that it was 'necessary' to arrest the intoxicated wife. 'Unfortunately, it was necessary to make the arrest at that time, because her BAC had to be captured, and a breathalyzer had to be performed,' he explained. Niemczyk also emphasized the importance of driving sober. 'You have to have a designated driver,' he said. 'The person that's going to be operating the golf cart has to be sober, and they have to be aware, and they're responsible for their passenger.' Police said the investigation remains ongoing and will be reviewed by the State Attorney's Office to determine if additional charges will be filed. During the investigation, 37-year-old, former professional baseball player, Justis 'Logan' Morrison interfered with officers and refused instructions to move back, according to NBC Miami. He was arrested for obstruction, taken to the St. Lucie County Jail, and later released on a $500 bond. Kenneth Sower Jr., who was at the course when the tragic accident occurred, expressed his disbelief over the situation. 'It's a sad situation,' Sower said, adding that the tragedy could have been prevented. 'They preach that when you get the golf cart, you're not supposed to get on the back. Just ride it in the front.'
