FL Attorney General News Releases

Florida AG Launches Public Assistance Fraud Task Force

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the launch of the Public Assistance Fraud Task Force and appointed Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Scott Strauss as Special Prosecutor. The Task Force will provide legal counsel and streamline criminal prosecution for state agencies and law enforcement investigating fraud in public benefit programs including Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, housing, and reemployment assistance. Law enforcement agencies interested in participating should contact the Office of Statewide Prosecution at PAFT@myfloridalegal.com.

FL AG Recovers Record $5.4M in Crypto Fraud for Victims

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit recovered a record $5.4 million in cryptocurrency from a romance-turned-investment scam affecting victims in Florida and Massachusetts. This marks the largest single statewide cryptocurrency recovery in Florida history, with $700,000 returned to Florida victims and $1.3 million to Massachusetts victims. The CFEU has recovered $7.2 million total, with another $12.6 million in frozen assets pending return.

Five Consecutive Life Sentences for Violent Bloods Gang Leader Thompson

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Office of Statewide Prosecution secured five consecutive life sentences for Hernando Thompson, Jr., 36, of Orlando, for his leadership role in the Blood-affiliated "Sex Money Murder" gang. Thompson was convicted after a Polk County trial on charges of Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, and three counts of Directing Criminal Gang Activities. The 2022 investigation involved evidence of illegal drug sales, robberies, conspiracy to commit murder, and coordinated attacks.

Florida AG Launches DNA Partnership Solving Cold Cases

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a statewide partnership with forensic technology company Othram to help law enforcement solve cold cases using advanced DNA testing and genetic genealogy. The initiative will begin with three multi-circuit homicide investigations spanning different regions of the state. The partnership aims to address Florida's 21,000 unsolved murder cases and nearly 900 unidentified human remains.

AG Secures 22-Year Prison Sentence for Snapchat CSAM Predator

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 22-year prison sentence for Miguel Giraldo, 20, of Kissimmee, after his conviction on 20 counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. The defendant was arrested following a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding CSAM uploaded to Snapchat, and forensic examination of his phone revealed additional files depicting abuse of children as young as two years old.

16 Child Predators Arrested in Central Florida Sting Operation

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of 16 individuals during an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) operation conducted March 18-21, 2026. The sting targeted predators exploiting children online through chatrooms and escort websites. Charges include Travel to Meet a Child, Harmful Explicit Communication to a Minor, and Lewd and Lascivious Battery.

Florida AG Warns NFL on Race-Based Hiring

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a warning to the National Football League (NFL) regarding its race-based hiring policies. The AG's office contends these policies violate Florida's Civil Rights Act and has sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell outlining these concerns.

AG Uthmeier Secures Sentences for Fentanyl Trafficking

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the sentencing of Renee and Vincent Stephens to 60 and 30 years in prison, respectively, for fentanyl trafficking in Hillsborough County. The couple operated a drug trafficking scheme, with Vincent directing activities from prison and Renee selling fentanyl from their apartment where a child was present.

AG Uthmeier Secures 81-Year Sentence for Prison Drug Trafficking

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced an 81-year prison sentence for Mario Crawford, a career criminal convicted of orchestrating a scheme to smuggle drugs and contraband into Florida Department of Corrections facilities using drones. The investigation involved contraband found at multiple correctional institutes and traced back to Crawford.

Florida AG Investigates Discord Over Child Safety Concerns

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched a civil investigation into Discord concerning child safety. A subpoena has been issued demanding documents related to the platform's marketing to children, age verification, content moderation, and reporting of exploitative activity. This action stems from concerns that Discord is used by predators to target children.

Florida AG Announces 100 Charges Against CSAM Predator

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Blake McKinniss, who faces 100 criminal charges related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including AI-generated content. The investigation was initiated by a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

State AGs Announce Consequences for Child Predators

Multiple State Attorneys General, including Florida AG James Uthmeier, announced significant actions against child predators. The announcement highlights the rearrest of Devon Huart and the sentencing of Michael Ambrosio, contributing to a record 1400 child predators taken down in a year.

State AGs Announce Takedown of Multi-County Retail Theft Ring

Ten State Attorneys General, led by Florida AG James Uthmeier, announced the arrest of seven individuals involved in a large-scale organized retail theft ring. The ring targeted beauty and fragrance products across multiple Florida counties, causing tens of thousands of dollars in losses to retailers between November 2024 and summer 2025.

State AGs Seize 525 Gambling Machines, $190k Proceeds

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the seizure of 525 illegal gambling machines and $190,000 in proceeds across 39 locations in a multi-county crackdown. This operation is part of a statewide initiative targeting illegal gaming operations, which are linked to organized crime.

AG Uthmeier Announces Arrest in Multi-County Organized Retail Theft Scheme

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Keith Wallis for a multi-county retail theft scheme. The scheme involved stealing trading cards from Target stores and selling them online, resulting in over $10,000 in losses for the retailer and nearly $40,000 in revenue for the suspect. Wallis faces up to 90 years in prison if convicted.

Florida AG Arrests Criminal, Reviews Biden Commutations

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Oscar Fowler, whose federal sentence was commuted by the Biden administration's autopen. The AG's office is reviewing all Biden autopen commutations affecting Florida to determine if state-level charges can be filed.

State AGs and State Attorney Sign Agreement to Combat Human Trafficking

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to combat human trafficking in South Florida. The agreement establishes a partnership between the Office of Statewide Prosecution and the State Attorney's Human Trafficking Task Force, allocating $1.5 million in operational funds.

State AG Launches Public Integrity Unit for Misuse of Public Funds

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched a new Public Integrity Unit to investigate and prosecute corruption involving public funds and legislative appropriations. The unit will review funds distributed to nonprofits and NGOs from the past two fiscal years, focusing on potential bribery, embezzlement, and misuse of public money.

Florida AG Secures 21-Year Sentence for Crypto Criminal Targeting Seniors

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a 21.6-year prison sentence for Otiz Swinton Jr. for a crypto fraud scheme targeting seniors. This marks the longest incarceration for a cyber fraud case by the Office of Statewide Prosecution Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit since its founding in 2023.

State AG Announces Gang Takedown and Drug Seizure

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a multi-circuit drug trafficking investigation targeting affiliates of the Valentine Bloods gang. The operation resulted in 51 arrests and the seizure of over 70 pounds of meth and 10 pounds of fentanyl.

AG Uthmeier Secures Convictions in Multi-Million Dollar Retail Theft Scheme

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the conviction of Robert and Jaclyn Dell for operating a multi-million dollar organized retail theft scheme. The scheme involved stealing power tools from The Home Depot under the guise of a drug addiction recovery center. The convictions were secured by the Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Florida AG Charges Six in $7.8M Cargo Theft Ring

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced charges against six individuals for their involvement in an organized cargo theft ring responsible for 33 incidents and approximately $7.8 million in losses across the state. The charges include Grand Theft and Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft.

Operation 13 Tiers: 25 Defendants Charged in Drug Trafficking Scheme

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the conviction of Franklin Guillen Lara and the charging of 24 other defendants in Operation 13 Tiers. The operation targeted a drug trafficking organization run by the SUR-13 gang from within Florida prisons, resulting in the seizure of significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

State AG Secures 120-Year Sentence for Human Trafficker

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 120-year prison sentence for Marquett James, who was convicted of human trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracy. This action follows a federal refusal to prosecute the case.

State AGs Warn Corporations on Antitrust and Consumer Protection

A coalition of 10 State Attorneys General, led by Florida AG Uthmeier, has issued notices to nearly 80 corporations involved with the U.S. Plastics Pact, Consumer Goods Forum, or Sustainable Packaging Coalition. The AGs warn that these companies' participation in initiatives setting production and packaging targets may violate antitrust and consumer protection laws.

Florida AG Arrests Child Predator Using Snapchat and Roblox

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Justin Adkins for charges related to child sexual exploitation and the production of child sexual abuse material. The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies and focused on Adkins' alleged exploitation of a minor through online platforms like Snapchat and Roblox.

State AGs Announce Predator Arrests, Convictions, Human Trafficking, Child Porn

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced arrests, prosecutions, and convictions of sexual predators and traffickers. The announcement details the conviction of Marquett James for human trafficking and racketeering, and arrests of Lucas Jose Herraiz and Michael Younce for possession of child sexual abuse material.

Florida AG Announces Sentences in Drug Trafficking Case

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced 27-year and 11-year sentences for Delmetrice Rogers and Lasonya Savage, respectively, following their conviction on felony cocaine trafficking charges. The sentences stem from a 2021 investigation involving surveillance, wiretaps, and search warrants.

Florida AG Launches CHINA Unit to Combat Foreign Adversaries

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched the Consumer Harm from International Nefarious Actors (CHINA) Prevention Unit. This new unit will focus on threats from foreign adversaries, particularly the Chinese Communist Party, to Florida consumers' data privacy and economic security. The unit has already begun auditing medical device manufacturers for ties to the CCP.

State AG Announces 15-Year Sentence for Stealing Disaster Aid

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a 15-year prison sentence for Ivan Miranda, who was convicted of stealing and reselling trailers intended for Hurricane Ian victims. The sentence was secured by the Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Florida AG Announces Largest Seizure of Illegal Vapes

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the seizure of over 2,100 illegal vaping products and nitrous oxide canisters. The coordinated actions targeted vape shops violating Florida law and posing risks to children and consumers. One arrest was made for the illegal sale of nitrous oxide.