Latest news with #JamesUthmeier
CBS News
14 hours ago
- CBS News
Florida AG Uthmeier announces record-breaking sting, arrests 48 child predators, ICE flags six foreign nationals
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday the arrest of 48 individuals and the filing of 153 charges during a six-day undercover operation targeting online child predators in Central Florida. The operation, led by the Marion County Sheriff's Office and supported by the Office of Statewide Prosecution, involved nine law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. According to Uthmeier, it marks the highest number of arrests in the history of this annual initiative. Among those arrested were six foreign nationals who were flagged with detainers by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Authorities said they traveled to Florida from Jamaica, El Salvador, Dubai, and India with the intent to exploit children. "They came after children, but Florida and federal law enforcement were waiting for them," Uthmeier said. "Thanks to the Marion County Sheriff's Office for putting this operation together so these men were stopped before they could harm a single child." Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods urged parents to remain vigilant. "Parents, we will never arrest every single one of them," Woods said. "You have to know what your child is doing online, and children have to know what dangers are lurking online." Officials said the suspects used various platforms, including Snapchat, to try to contact minors who were actually undercover officers. The Attorney General's Office is suing Snapchat, alleging the company violated Florida law by misleading parents about the platform's risks. "This is one of the best operations I've seen," said State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit Bill Gladson. "Sheriff Woods and his deputies did an outstanding job catching and removing 40 predators from the Central Florida community." The 153 charges filed include: • Traveling to meet a minor for illegal sexual conduct (34)• Human trafficking (5)• Using a computer to solicit a child for sexual conduct (48)• Unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony (40)• Transmitting material harmful to a minor (14)• Traveling to meet a minor for illegal sexual conduct facilitated by a guardian (1)• Using a computer to solicit a guardian for illegal sexual conduct with a child (1)• Fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer (1)• Resisting arrest without violence (2)• Drug charges (4)• Possession of drug paraphernalia (1)• Reckless driving (1)• Violation of probation (1)
New York Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Florida's New Attorney General, a DeSantis Appointee, Is Making Waves
As chief of staff to Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, James Uthmeier worked behind the scenes to cement the Republican governor's national reputation as a culture warrior. Mr. DeSantis rewarded him this year by appointing him attorney general. It was Mr. Uthmeier who announced last month that the state was opening its own immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades. He made international headlines by referring to the swampy, remote location as 'Alligator Alcatraz.' The detention center's first weeks have been chaotic, and something of a mystery. But it has amounted to a political coup for Mr. Uthmeier. President Trump visited before it opened and praised the attorney general. 'You do a very good job,' Mr. Trump told him during a visit to the center early this month. Then, referring to Mr. Uthmeier, Mr. Trump remarked to others in attendance, 'He's even a good-looking guy. The guy's got a future.' The moment offered Mr. Uthmeier hope that Mr. Trump might consider endorsing him when he runs for a full term as attorney general next year, despite Mr. Uthmeier's close ties to Mr. DeSantis, who ran against Mr. Trump in last year's presidential primary. And it raised the profile of Mr. Uthmeier, a 37-year-old lawyer who has never been on a ballot, just as the term-limited Mr. DeSantis's power wanes. Florida Republicans have speculated that primary races in next year's midterms could pit a slate of Trump-backed candidates against a slate backed by Mr. DeSantis. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Jim speaks with Jose Javier Rodriguez about his run for Florida attorney general
Jim talks to the former democratic state senator who is running to be the next Florida attorney general. James Uthmeier, a Republican, is Florida's current attorney general. Guest: José Javier Rodriguez/D- Florida Attorney General candidate Republican leaders from 17 other states Tuesday filed a brief at the U.S. Supreme Court backing Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's push to enforce a law targeting undocumented immigrants who enter Florida. The brief came after Uthmeier last week asked the Supreme Court to step in and at least temporarily allow enforcement of the state law after a federal district judge issued a preliminary injunction to block it. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams in April ruled that the law likely was preempted by federal immigration authority. Uthmeier appealed the preliminary injunction, but a panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected his request for a stay of Williams' ruling. Uthmeier last week asked for the Supreme Court to issue a stay, which would effectively allow the state to enforce the law while the underlying legal battle plays out.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Yahoo
Florida AG investigating drag show at bar owned by Vero Beach vice mayor
VERO BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said his office is opening an investigation into a 'sexualized performance advertised to children' that took place in Vero Beach last month. Uthmeier issued a subpoena to Linda Moore, the Vice Mayor of Vero Beach and the owner of the Kilted Mermaid, a beer and wine bar. Florida woman vanishes under 'suspicious' circumstances; car last seen in Tampa On June 29, the bar hosted a 'Pride Tea Dance' featuring drag performances and other entertainment. Uthmeier said there was evidence that during the event, 'sexualized adult performers wore revealing attire and burlesque outfits while interacting with the children.' The subpoena is asking Moore to provide the following: Surveillance video recordings Documents identifying camera locations, retention policies, or personnel responsible for maintaining said recordings Employee work schedules showing which employees were working on the dates of June 28 to June 30 Documents identifying anyone who performed or provided entertainment on the premises on June 29 Copies of any guest lists, reservation logs, ticket sales records, entry logs or other documents identifying who attended the performance Documents identifying all individuals responsible for checking identification, verifying age, controlling admission, or allowing entry on June 29 Guidelines in effect on June 29 regarding age verification, admission policies, security screening, and ID checks Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Florida representative enters race to replace Ingoglia's former senate seat
INVERNESS, Fla. (WFLA) — Former State Rep. Ralph Massullo has entered the race to fill the now-vacant state senate seat after Blaise Ingoglia was appointed Chief Financial Officer. District 11 covers Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter counties. This is not the first time Massullo has had his eye on the senate seat. Back in 2022, he ended his bid following Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsing Ingoglia. Now that the seat is open again, Massullo has thrown his hat in the ring. Fired federal prosecutor based in Tampa plans to sue Trump administration 'We're emphasizing workforce and career development. We're incorporating AI into a lot of our services that the state is suing, as well as trying to incorporate that into workforce as well as education and also trying to improve health care,' Massullo said. Massullo also said he wants to focus on improving the environment along with agriculture. Massullo, who's a dermatologist, has support from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier through a post on X and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, with an official endorsement. 'I'm extremely happy. I'm a small business owner myself. I've worked with the chamber for many years,' Massullo said. This week, Gov. DeSantis issued an executive order calling for a Special Primary Election on Sept. 30. So far, no democrats have entered the race. But if that happens, both sides will face off on Dec. 9. Candidate qualifying is Aug. 4 and Aug. 5. After that, voters officially know who will appear on the ballot for the Special Primary Election. 'I ask all of your viewers to investigate the various candidates that are running, particularly the ones that running in my district, and go out and vote,' Massullo said. Massullo served in the Florida Legislature from 2016 to 2024, when he couldn't run again to remain in the state House because of term limits. The campaign for Republican Anthony Brice confirmed he will enter the race for the Special Election. He already had plans to run for the seat in 2028. However, with the vacancy, he will ramp up campaign efforts now ahead of September. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
