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USA Today
10-07-2025
- USA Today
Woman accused of giving illegal Botox injections in Florida backyard
A Florida woman was arrested this week after police accused her of running an illegal med spa out of her backyard and giving one victim a "botched" Botox injection. Rosa Mena, 50, was arrested by Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, July 9, on charges of aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability, practicing medicine without an active license, fraud and the use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, police said in a statement on Wednesday, July 9. Police, along with several other agencies, including the Florida Department of Health, launched an investigation into Mena after a woman she allegedly injected with Botox in May said she suffered facial paralysis. According to police, the victim was refunded $325 for the experience before being encouraged by Mena to return to the backyard shed where she performed procedures for an injection she claimed would "reverse" the symptom. Still suffering from paralysis, the victim asked to see Mena's license and certifications, which she allegedly was unable to produce. She then attempted to "put the victim's mind at ease by telling her she was a doctor from the Dominican Republic, dismissing her concerns," according to police. What did police find when they searched Rosa Mena's home? When police executed a search warrant at Mena's residence, they discovered "medical beds, medications, vials, needles, fat sculpting machines, PRP injections, micro-needling equipment, laser hair removal equipment, laser lipo machines, massage equipment, facial equipment, injectable devices for fillers and Botox," among other medical equipment, in her possesion, according to the statement. Sgt. Dominick Mesiti told Treasure Coast Newspapers, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the victim has since consulted with a licensed doctor, who was unable to determine if the paralysis is permanent. Mena was placed in the St. Lucie County Jail. As of July 10, her bond amount was not immediately available. "We want to remind the public to research the facility and individual prior to performing procedures," the police department said in a statement. "Additionally, in order to perform injectable procedures like Botox, it needs to be performed by a licensed professional. Your safety is our priority!"
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PSL Police conduct death investigation outside Shoppes at Veranda Falls
PORT ST. LUCIE — City police were conducting a death investigation today near the Shoppes at Veranda Falls, a spokeswoman for the department confirmed. Police were investigating the area June 1 at Southeast Becker Road and Southeast Via Tesoro, which is outside the shopping plaza, built in 2006. There is no known threat to the public, Officer Brittany Holly said in an email. 'At this time, we do not have any further information about the investigation and do not anticipate anything further this evening,' Holly wrote. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Port St. Lucie Police conduct death investigation near shopping plaza
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
State Attorney, St. Lucie Sheriff announce reopening of 2006 Florida's Turnpike murders case
ST. LUCIE COUNTY −Sheriff Richard Del Toro and 19th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl announced the reopening of the 2006 Escobedo family murder case during a morning news conference May 27. State and local officials plan to begin proceedings to prosecute and seek the death penalty against Daniel "Homer" Troya, 42, and Ricardo 'Ricky' Sanchez, Jr., 41, whose federal death sentences for the 2006 drug-related slayings of a family on Florida's Turnpike in St. Lucie County were commuted by former President Joe Biden The federal death sentences of Daniel "Homer" Troya, 42, and Ricardo 'Ricky' Sanchez, Jr., 41, were commuted in December 2024." "We're up to the task and we're going to do it," Bakkedahl said. "We will leave no stone unturned, no avenue unpursued. Our pursuit of justice for Damien and Julian." The men were sentenced to death in 2009 for their involvement in the drug-related slaughter of the Escobedo family - Jose, 28, and Yessica Escobedo, 25, who were living in Greenacres in Palm Beach County with their two sons, Luis Damien, 3, and Luis Julian, 4. "It is a pursuit of justice," Bakkedahl said. "This is not political." This story will be updated. Escobedo murders: Prosecutors to pursue death penalty Editorial: Trump, Biden undermine justice with Florida Turnpike killers Melissa E. Holsman is the legal affairs reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers and is writer and co-host of "Uncertain Terms," a true-crime podcast. Reach her at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: State death penalty sought in 2006 Escobedo turnpike murders in SLC
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Don't miss June's full moon. Best Florida viewing of rare 'Major lunar standstill'
Get ready for a special sight in the sky in June. We're in the middle of a major lunar standstill, meaning June's full moon will be at its lowest point since 2006. It's won't happen again until 2043. If you're outside, the moon will appear larger than normal low on the horizon and may even be orange or reddish. Here's what to know. The next full moon will be on Wednesday, June 11. It's known as the strawberry moon. June's full moon will be special. "In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be the lowest full moon seen until 2043, staying unusually close to the horizon " according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Look for the full moon at 3:44 a.m. ET June 11, about 22 degrees above the southern horizon. "When the moon is low in the sky it appears especially big." The last time the full moon was this low was 18.6 years ago, according to in what's known as a major lunar standstill. It won't happen again until 2043. As the moon shines through the thick layer of air, it may appear golden, orange, or even reddish. June's full moon is the closest full moon to the summer solstice, which falls on June 21 this year. The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Look toward the southern horizon at 3:44 a.m. ET on June 11. Can't pull yourself out of bed? You can see it later but that's the time it will reach its peak. Make sure you have a clear view since the moon will only be about 22 degrees above the horizon. "Every day, the moon rises in the east and sets in the west, but the location of the moonrise and moonset on the horizon changes, moving from north to south to north again over the course of a month. Throughout the 18.6-year lunar cycle, the northernmost and southernmost extremes also change," said. "During a major lunar standstill, the northernmost and southernmost moonrise and moonset are at their farthest distance apart. This affects how long the moon appears to stay in the sky." Called a 'major lunar standstill,' the natural phenomenon doesn't take place over one day but over about two years when the moon rises and sets at more northerly and southerly spots along the horizon, said. The summer solstice occurs at 10:41 p.m. ET, June 20 this year. The solstice marks the exact time when the sun reaches it northernmost point in the sky, according to EarthSky. In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the shortest night and longest day of the year. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: June full moon, major lunar standstill. Where, when see Florida
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Law enforcement officers run Special Olympics Florida torch through St. Lucie County
ST. LUCIE COUNTY − Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies — police departments, sheriff's offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — all participate in the statewide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Each year, over 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1,500-mile relay through 67 counties. Money is raised through contributions from individuals and businesses along the way and through sales of Torch Run T-shirts and caps. The torch made its way through St. Lucie County May 10 from Central High School in Fort Pierce to Publix on Northwest St. James Drive in Port Saint Lucie. The torch run passed through Indian River County April 9 in Sebastian, with a stop in Riverview Park and in Stuart May 2, traveling north along US 1 from its intersection on Cove Road. Relaxation: Staff pick: Visuals Journalist Eric Hasert likes to unwind in Jetty Park in Fort Pierce Helping a Hero: Severely injured U.S. Army veteran provided new home in Port St. Lucie through Helping a Hero, other organizations Eric Hasert is a visuals journalist for TCPalm/Treasure Coast Newspapers. To view some of his recent work, click here. He can be reached at 772-216-2342 or This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Video, Photos: Special Olympics torch passes through Treasure Coast
