A Welcome Visitor

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn here,

 

It had been nearly a year since Bill McCollum became Attorney General for the State of Florida. Many in my office did not think that we would meet the new boss, but today we were pleased and surprise to meet the elegant persona who is Bill McCollum.

 

During his visit to our office, General McCollum praised us for our dedication toward securing support for the innocents that need it, and the comradeship we display toward getting the job done. He also spoke about the work of the newly developed Cybercrime unit and catching predators of children before they strike.

 

It was an inspiring first meeting, which ended with a photo session. I introduced myself to General McCollum and told him of my website and my dedication to bringing the latest news from the Attorney General’s office to us, the people. 

 

 

           

                       

I spoke to him about his Cybercrime units, the fight to stop illegal drug trafficking and those who sell it, as well as the plans to curtail gangs and gang crime in Florida’s neighborhoods. The General said that what I was doing was a good thing and he gave me the thumbs up sign. So here I am tonight.

 

 

Evelyn out.

 

AN ATTORNEY GENERAL CONSUMER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED.

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn here,

 

Below is an consumer alert issued today warning non-English speaking citizen about “work at home scams”.

 

 ----------

 

McCOLLUM, BRONSON JOIN NATIONAL HISPANIC ADVOCACY GROUP TO WARN ABOUT  WORK-AT-HOME SCAMS

 

Advisory Follows Ftc Announcement Of National Enforcement Efforts

 

TALLAHASSEEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum and Florida

Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson

today issued a consumer advisory in cooperation with the National

Hispanic Institute, warning consumers about work-at-home scams. The

advisory particularly targeted envelope-stuffing "opportunities" and

the state leaders expressed concern that many of the schemes were

taking advantage of non-English speaking citizens, a concern shared by

Gus West, Board Chairman of the National Hispanic Institute, a national

non-profit organization.

 

"My office has received hundreds of complaints about work-at-home

programs, most from consumers claiming they paid a fee but never

received wages they were promised," said Attorney General McCollum.

"Even worse, many of these operations are targeting our citizens by

advertising in another language, but printing disclaimers in English,

thus confusing or misleading the interested consumers. We want to make

sure that Floridians know where they can receive assistance if they have

been victimized by these deceptive practices."

 

Commissioner Bronson echoed the Attorney General’s concerns: "Our citizens

are being duped into laying out money with promises of returns that are

rarely realized. These scams typically target those who can least afford

to lose anything."

 

Earlier this month, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a widespread

review of work-at-home ads and revealed that nearly 60 percent of the Spanish

-language ads for work-at-home opportunities were potentially deceptive. FTC

staff has been working with Spanish-language media on identifying potentially

fraudulent advertising claims for work at home opportunities and other ad types.

 

"We commend the Attorney General and the Commissioner for issuing this

advisory," said Chairman West. "We hope that our participation helps Latinos

and all Floridians to be more vigilant in safeguarding against fraudulent

business practices."

 

According to complaints received by the Attorney General’s Consumer Services

Division and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ fraud

hotline, many complainants claimed they had paid a $45 "registration deposit"

to various companies, but never heard from the companies again. Other consumers

report they had been told the only way to earn the promised money was to

replicate the fraudulent envelope-stuffing scheme by making the same false

claims to other consumers.

 

McCollum and Bronson both urged consumers who believe they have been victimized

to contact state authorities to report the fraud. The Attorney General’s fraud

hotline is 1-866-966-7226 and complaints can also be filed online at

http://www.myfloridalegal.com. The fraud hotline for the Department of Agriculture

and Consumer Services is 1-800-435-7352 and its website, where complaints can

be filed, is www.800helpfla.com. Complaints can also be filed with the FTC by

calling 877-382-4357 or by writing to the following address:

 

Consumer Response Center

Federal Trade Commission - Rm. 130

600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20580

 

More information is available online at http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/4492d797dc0bd92f85256cb80055fb97/037956401a4e57bd85256cc90069d67a!OpenDocument and at http://www.800helpfla.com/homeemp_text.htm.

 

===

 

MCCOLLUM, BRONSON SE UNEN AL GRUPO NACIONAL DEFENSOR DEL HISPANO PARA ADVERTIR

SOBRE LOS TIMOS DE TRABAJE-DESDE-CASA

 

La advertencia le sigue a un anuncio del ftc sobre los esfuerzos de

Cumplimiento nacional

 

TALLAHASSEE, FL - El Procurador General Bill McCollum y el Comisionado de

Agricultura y Servicios al Consumidor de Florida Charles H. Bronson emitieron

hoy una advertencia al consumidor en cooperación con el Instituto Nacional Hispano,

advirtiendo a los consumidores sobre las estafas conocidas como

trabaje-desde-casa. La advertencia se enfoca particularmente en las

"oportunidades" de llenar-sobres (stuffing-envelopes) y los lideres del estado

expresaron su preocupación de que muchos de estos artificios se están aprovechando

de ciudadanos que no hablan Ingles, una preocupación compartida por Gus West,

Presidente de la Junta del Instituto Nacional Hispano, una organización nacional

sin fines de lucro.

 

"Mi oficina ha recibido cientos de quejas sobre los programas de trabaje-desde-casa,

muchos son de consumidores declarando que ellos pagaron una cuota pero nunca

recibieron los salarios prometidos," dijo el Procurador General McCollum.

"Aun peor, muchas de estas operaciones están haciendo blanco de nuestros ciudadanos

al anunciarse en otros idiomas, pero solo imprimiendo las renuncias de responsabilidad

en Ingles, de esa forma confundiendo o engañando al consumidor interesado.

Queremos asegurarnos de que los Floridanos conocen donde ellos pueden recibir

asistencia si ellos han sido victimados por estas prácticas engañosas."

 

El Comisionado Bronson hizo eco de las preocupaciones del Procurador General:

"Nuestros ciudadanos están siendo engañados para que pongan dinero con promesas

de ganancias que casi nunca se hacen realidad. Estas estafas típicamente hacen

blanco de quienes son los menos que pueden darse el lujo de perder nada."

 

A principios de este mes, la Comisión Federal de Comercio (FTC) por sus

siglas en ingles, anunció una revisión generalizada de los anuncios

trabaje-desde-casa y reveló que casi el 60 por ciento de los anuncios en

español para oportunidades de trabajar-desde-casa eran potencialmente engañosos.

El personal de FTC ha estado trabajando con los medios de comunicación en español

para identificar las demandas de publicidad potencialmente fraudulentas en las

oportunidades de trabajar desde casa y otros tipos de anuncios.

 

"Nosotros felicitamos al Procurador General y al Comisionado por emitir esta

advertencia," dijo el Presidente West. "Esperamos que nuestra participación

ayude a los Latinos y a todos los Floridanos para que estén mas alertas y

salvaguardarse contra las prácticas de negocios fraudulentas."

 

De acuerdo a las quejas recibidas en la línea acceso directo de la División de

Servicios al Consumidor del Procurador General y el Departamento de Agricultura y

Servicios alConsumidor, muchos de los demandantes declaran que ellos habían pagado

$45 de "deposito de inscripción," a varias compañías, pero nunca oyeron mas de

esas compañías. Otros consumidores reportaron que a ellos les habían dicho que

la única forma de ganar el dinero prometido era duplicar el fraudulento plan de

llenar sobres haciendo las mismas declaraciones a otros consumidores.

 

Ambos McCollum y Bronson urgen a los consumidores que creen que ellos han sido

victimados que contacten a las autoridades para reportar el fraude. La línea de

acceso directo de la Procuraduría General es 1-866-966-7226 y las quejas también

pueden ser archivadas en línea en http://www.myfloridalegal.com. La línea de

acceso directo para reportar el fraude del Departamento de Agricultura y Servicios

al Consumidor es 1-800-435-7352 y su sitio Web donde se pueden archivar las

uejas es www.800helpfla.com. Las quejas también pueden ser archivadas con el FTC

llamando al 1-877-382-4357 o escribiendo a la siguiente dirección:

 

Consumer Response Center

Federal Trade Commission - Rm. 130

600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20580

 

Hay mas información disponible en línea en

http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/4492d797dc0bd92f85256cb80055fb97/037956401a4e57bd85256cc90069d67a!OpenDocument y en http://www.800helpfla.com/homeemp_text.html.

 

Thank you.

 

----------

 

Evelyn out.

STATEWIDE ANTI-GANG STRATEGY IN THE WORKS - AN UPDATE

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

In this week's edition of the Attorney General Bill McCollum's newsletter, News Briefs, the General elaborates more on his early announcement about the development of a “Statewide Gang Reduction Strategy”.

----------

October 26, 2007

Message from Attorney General Bill McCollum

This week my office announced a collaborative effort to develop a
Statewide Gang Reduction Strategy to crack down on and dismantle the
destructive, and too often deadly, influence of gangs on our
neighborhoods and communities.

The crisis in gang violence that is now occurring throughout Florida
was made all too clear by recent tragedies, including the shooting
death last May of a nine-year-old boy from Bradenton. Stacey Williams
III was caught in a gang-related crossfire as he rode his bike to see
his grandmother. We must protect children like Stacey and their families
from gang violence and find new and effective strategies for taking back
our neighborhoods.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency, Florida experienced more growth in gang activity in 25
years than any other state in the nation. There are at least 1,500 known
gangs in Florida, according to a new survey by the Florida Department of
Law Enforcement, and data from the Department of Corrections reveals a
gang presence in every county in our state.

These frightening statistics underscore the importance of our cooperative
strategy. We are bringing in the expertise of the Florida Department of
Law Enforcement, the Florida Department of Education, the Department of
Children and Families, the Department of Corrections, the Department of
Juvenile Justice, the Florida Office of Drug Control, the Florida Highway
Patrol, the Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida Police Chiefs
Association and neighborhood and faith-based organizations from around the
state.

In the coming months, my office and our partners will hold a summit to
receive input from the community on how to successfully address the gang
crisis. Components of the statewide strategy will likely include gang
suppression and deterrence techniques; prosecution and criminal justice
system enhancements; prevention and intervention; data and intelligence
sharing; education and training; and rehabilitation and reentry efforts
for former gang members as they leave prison and return to the community.

With our partners in police and state agencies as well as input from our
citizens, I am confident that we collectively we can stop the growth of
gangs, reverse the trend and actually decrease the number of gangs in our
state. My hope is to ultimately render gangs in Florida ineffectual, and
enjoy a Florida free from the threat of gangs and the violence they bring
to our communities.

Thank you.

----------

Evelyn out.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES COLLABORATIVE

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here.

With the rise of teen crime the fight to save our teenagers should be our major priority and this fight should begin in the home with family involvement. Strengthening family bonds between yourself and your teen will make gang involvement less attractive and help prevent it. However, if you suspect that your son or daughter is getting involve or is involved with a gang, seek the help of the experts who know about gangs. How can you tell if your teen is involved in a gang? Watch for radical changes such as in the way your teen dresses, the music he/she listens to, any new and usual friends, especially those who appear older in age. Also, look for sign of drug use, drinking, vulgar language, violence behavior, failing grades, and/or cutting classes.

==========

State of Florida Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General Bill McCollum

PRESS RELEASE


   ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES COLLABORATIVE

EFFORTS TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE

ANTI-GANG STRATEGY
  Sunshine State Targets Largest Increase In Gang Activities Nationwide

 

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Surrounded by state and local leaders, AttorneyGeneral Bill McCollum today announced a collaborative effort initiatedby his agency to develop a Statewide Gang Reduction Strategy. According to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, Florida experienced more growth in gang activity over a twenty-five year period than any other state in the nation. These statistics underscore the importance for the cooperative strategy.

“Today gang activity is found in every county in our state. My goal in bringing together, this Executive Group is to combine many great resources of talent and expertise and to develop a thoughtful and deliberative Statewide Gang Reduction Strategy,” said Attorney General Bill McCollum. “The long-range plan of the group will be a comprehensive outline that will include efforts to educate our youth and to dramatically reduce gang membership and activities throughout Florida.”

The Executive Group was created to examine the significant and growing threat criminal gangs pose to the safety of the citizens of Florida. These gangs traffic illegal drugs throughout Florida’s communities; are involved in an increasing number of violent crimes utilizing firearms; regularly commit acts of violence that threaten public safety; and commit a large number of personal and property crimes. Gangs and gang-related activities are on the rise in Florida and the members of the Executive Group all recognize that if not stopped or reversed, this growing activity will translate into a much larger threat to Florida in the years to come. State leaders today acknowledged that threat and expressed their commitment to take concerted action to ensure the safety of Florida’s citizens.

The statewide gang reduction strategy will take a two-pronged approach – a law enforcement effort and an educational effort focused on prevention and intervention – to address the critical issues concerning gang membership identification, gang recruitment, risk factors for youth, prevention, crime suppression and post conviction or adjudication diversion. The long-range plan will include gang suppression and deterrence techniques; prosecution and criminal justice system enhancements; prevention and intervention; data and intelligence sharing; education and training; and rehabilitation and reentry efforts for former gang members.

"Our recently completed survey asked criminal justice agencies about gangs in Florida and the results indicate that criminal street gangs are a clear and present threat across the state," said FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey. "FDLE is pleased to be part of this collaborative effort to make our streets safer."

While most gang activity in Florida appears to be centered in the cities of Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Palm Beach and Lakeland, statistics show that no area remains untouched. Information from the Department of Corrections reveals that gang members are operating in every county in the state. Recently, the state has seen a significant increase in crimes committed by gang members in Panhandle cities including Panama City, Marianna, Greensboro, Quincy, and Tallahassee with an emphasis in growth over the past three years. As of July 2007, the top 10 counties with gang members in prison are Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Broward, Orange, Pinellas, Polk, Palm Beach, Volusia, Lee and Manatee, in that order.

“Gangs represent a significant public safety threatboth inside our prisons and within our communities,” said Department of Corrections Secretary James R. McDonough. “As the number of gangs increase, this collaboration is vital as we work to negate gang activity.”

All indications show that the number of gang members in Florida continues to grow as well as the number of crimes committed by gang members. The number of felony convictions for gang members rose from 2,759 in fiscal years 2004-2005 to 4,447 in fiscal years 2006-2007. This represents a 61 percent increase in crimes committed by gang members in Florida over the past three years. The crimes most frequently committed by gang member inmates include homicide, armed robbery, assault, drug distribution and weapons violations.

"Gangs are no longer just a big city problem," said Baker Co. Sheriff Joey Dobson, President of the Florida Sheriffs Association. Law enforcement agencies in communities as diverse as Miami and Marianna have to come up with creative strategies to address the growing gang threat in our neighborhoods, and we applaud the Attorney General's emphasis on a statewide approach."

“The entire membership of the Florida Police Chiefs Association commends the Attorney General for recognizing the serious threat that gang related criminal activity poses to our State and its citizens,” said Skip Clark, President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association.

“This is an issue we can no longer overlook as it impacts all communities directly or indirectly. We applaud Attorney General McCollum’s efforts to address and find a working solution to this problem.”

Attorney General McCollum also unveiled a new component of his Safe Florida website which will be dedicated to providing local, state and national resources for the education and prevention of gang activity. The anti-gang component can be found online at http://www.safeflorida.net/safestreets and will include educational components designed to reach out to Florida’s youth.

"The threat of gangs remains a serious matter to Florida's students and schools," said Education Commissioner Jeanine Blomberg. "Research demonstrates that academic success and positive school experiences that connect students with teachers in positive ways are two of the most influential factors that can protect youth from gang involvement."

In addition to the introduction of the collaborative efforts, the Attorney General announced that his office will be holding a gang strategy summit in the coming months to invite input from stakeholders and other interested parties across the state. The Executive Group will then work to help Florida’s communities form partnerships with law enforcement officials, educators, health care providers, social agency workers, faith leaders and elected officials with the specific goal of reducing gangs.

"By creating a "zero-tolerance" comprehensive gang control strategy, Florida will take a giant step forward in combating gang violence within our communities. The development of this strategy reflects our most solemn obligation; to protect the security and safety of all Floridians, especially our children from the threat of gang violence," said Rusty Keeble, President of the Florida Gang Investigators Association and the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Association.

Members of the Executive Group include:

Commissioner Gerald Bailey, Florida Department of Law

EnforcementEducation Commissioner Jeanine BlombergSecretary

Robert Butterworth, Department of Children and Families

Secretary James McDonough, Department of Corrections

Secretary Walter

McNeil, Department of Juvenile JusticeColonel

Bill Janes, director, Office of Drug Control

Lt. Colonel John Czernis, interim director, Florida Highway Patrol

Sheriff Joey Dobson, president, Florida Sheriffs Association

Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell

Chief H.C. “Skip” Clark II, president, Florida Police Chiefs Association

State Attorney Willie Meggs, of the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

==========

Evelyn out.

Nineteen year-old sentenced to 4 years for trafficking in cocaine, Ecstasy and Xanax

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn here,

 

Nineteen year-old sentenced to 4 years for trafficking in cocaine, Ecstasy and Xanax a drug generally prescribed for anxiety disorders.  Please read the following Attorney General news release.

 

========== 

 

Bill McCollum

Attorney General

News Release

October 24, 2007          

 

 

Naples Teen Gets Four Years for Trafficking Cocaine, Ecstasy, Xanax

 

 

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that a Collier County man was sentenced as a youthful offender to four years in prison to be followed by two years of probation after pleading guilty earlier this year to multiple drug charges. Nineteen-year-old Joseph Paul Pelletier was arrested after selling cocaine, Ecstasy and Xanax to undercover law enforcement investigators. He was prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office of Statewide prosecution.

 

            "We will continue to work with law enforcement throughout the state to ensure that drug traffickers are taken off our streets and out of our communities,” said Attorney General McCollum.

 

Pelletier, of Naples, was arrested in February during the fourth in a series of controlled buys conducted by the Lee County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit. Law enforcement agents, working through a confidential source, arranged to meet with Pelletier and purchase various quantities of cocaine, Ecstasy and Xanax. Pelletier purchased the drugs in Hialeah, then returned to a prearranged location in Bonita Springs to sell the drugs to the undercover officer.

 

Over a period of several weeks, the agents purchased more than five ounces of cocaine, 23 Ecstasy pills, and 50 Xanax pills from Pelletier. The value of the narcotics was estimated at more than $5,500. At the time of his arrest, Pelletier was in possession of at least three ounces of cocaine, which was seized by the authorities.

 

"We see the serious consequences of abused drugs and illegally obtained prescription medications every day," said Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott. "I want drug dealers on all levels to see this case as a prime example of the serious consequences they face as we team up to enforce and prosecute them."

 

Pelletier pled guilty in March to three counts of trafficking more than 28 grams of cocaine, two counts of sale or delivery of Ecstasy and one count of the sale or delivery of Xanax. Today's sentence was handed down by Judge Thomas S. Reese of the 20th Judicial Circuit Court.

 

==========

 

Evelyn out.

CYBERCRIME UNIT MAKES 50TH ARREST, TWO ARRESTS WERE MADE WITHIN 24 - HOURS

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn here,

 

The OAG unit of CyperCrime is up and working with early and extraordinary result already the have been to major arrest of sexually predators believing that them where meeting minor. One case involved a 13year-old girl and the other case a 13 year old boy.

                                                     

==========                               

                                                                          

From the Office the Attorney Beneral

A Press Release

October 24, 200

Time: 10:27 AM 

 

 

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CYBERCRIME UNIT MAKES 50TH ARREST, FIRST ARREST FOR NEW ORLANDO OFFICE

 

Deltona Man Thought He Was Traveling To Meet A 14-Year Old Girl For Sex

 

      TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced the

50th arrest made by his Child Predator CyberCrime Unit and the first by the

unit's new Orlando Office. Authorities with the CyberCrime Unit arrested

Douglas R. Phillips this morning after he traveled to meet who he thought

was a 14-year old girl for sex. Phillips's actions will be charged under

the new CyberCrimes Against Children Act, which created a new crime for

traveling to meet a child or someone believed to be a child for the purpose

of sexually assaulting that person.

 

      "Had it not been for the dedicated team working around the clock to

bring this predator into custody, he might have continued to victimize any

number of children," said Attorney General McCollum. "Cases such as this

remind us of the dangers lurking on the internet and the determination with

which a predator will hunt for victims. We must and will continue our

efforts to protect Florida's youngest citizens."

 

      An undercover investigator with the CyberCrime Unit was approached in

an internet chatroom by Phillips, who believed he was talking to a teenage

girl. Over two weeks of conversation, Phillips, 47, sexually solicited the

"girl" online and sent multiple pornographic images to the agent.

Eventually, Phillips told the "girl" he wanted to meet her and take her to

live with him. Phillips, of Deltona, was taken into custody this morning by

law enforcement officers with the CyberCrimes Unit, the Florida Department

of Law Enforcement and the Seminole County  Sheriff's Office.

 

      Phillips was booked into the Seminole County Jail. He will be charged

with solicitation of a minor, transmission of harmful materials to a minor

and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act. If convicted

on all charges, he faces up to 25 years in prison. The case will be

prosecuted by attorneys with the CyberCrime Unit.

 

      The arrest was the first made by the Orlando Office, which hosted its

grand opening just last Monday. The new location is the first additional

office to open as part of Attorney General McCollum's statewide expansion

of the unit, which has been operating out of Jacksonville since its

inception in October 2005.  Five additional offices will open in the Ft.

Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Pensacola, Tallahassee and Tampa areas over the next

several months.

 

      The Child Predator CyberCrime Unit's mission is to protect children

from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The unit does this by

working cooperatively on a statewide basis with law enforcement agencies

and prosecutors to provide resources and expertise, while preventing the

spread of these crimes through education and community awareness. The unit

is a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) of

North Florida, as is the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the

Seminole County Sheriff's Office.         

 

----------

 

From the Office the Attorney Beneral

A Press Release

October 24, 2007

Time: 12:59 

 

 

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CYBERCRIME UNIT MAKES SECOND ARREST IN 24 HOURS

 

Volusia County Man Traveled To Meet Who He Thought Was A 13-Year Old Boy

For Sex

 

      TALLAHASSEE, FL - A Volusia County man is in custody today after

Attorney General Bill McCollum's Child Predator CyberCrime Unit made its

second arrest in 24 hours. Mitchell R. Avery sexually solicited a person he

thought was a 13-year old boy and then traveled to meet the "boy" for sex,

not realizing he had been chatting online with a member of the Jacksonville

CyberCrime Unit. Avery will be charged with traveling to meet a minor to

commit an unlawful sex act, a new crime under the CyberCrimes Against

Children Act which took effect October 1.

 

      "In less than 24 hours, two internet predators were arrested in

different parts of the state, each with the same dangerous intentions. This

is the very reason a statewide expansion of this unit is necessary," said

Attorney General McCollum. "CyberCrimes know no boundaries, no county or

state lines. We will continue to be as aggressive as possible taking these

predators offline and off the streets."

 

      Avery approached the undercover CyberCrime investigator in an

internet chatroom, believing the investigator was a Jacksonville teenager.

Avery, 49, solicited the "boy" with graphic sexual details and arranged to

meet the child and return to the child's home to engage in sexual activity.

He was arrested at a Jacksonville fast food restaurant by authorities with

the CyberCrime Unit and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. The arrest

culminates a two-month investigation done in conjunction with the Federal

Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Florida

Department of Law Enforcement, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the

Volusia County Sheriff's Office. Avery does not have any prior criminal

history.

 

      Investigators transported Avery to the Jacksonville Jail where is he

being held on charges of traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful

sex act and soliciting a minor. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in

prison. He will be prosecuted by attorneys with the CyberCrime Unit in

Jacksonville.  Avery's arrest is the 51st made by Attorney General

McCollum's Child Predator CyberCrime Unit since October of 2005.

 

      The Unit's mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated

sexual exploitation. The unit works cooperatively with law enforcement

agencies and prosecutors statewide to provide resources and expertise,

while preventing the spread of these crimes through education and community

awareness. The Jacksonville Bureau of the Child Predator CyberCrime Unit is

a member of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

and the FBI CyberTask Force, Jacksonville Region.

 

==========

 

Evelyn out.

 

 

Attorney Genral, Bill McCollum Opens New CyperSaftey Unit in Orlando Florida

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn here,

 

 

In this edition of the Attorney General's newsletter News Briefs the General announces the opening of the newly opens Cypercrime Unit in Orlando Florida with opening schedule for Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Pensacola, Tallahassee and Tampa.

 

 ==========

 

October 19, 2007

 

Message from Attorney General Bill McCollum

 

 

This past Monday, my office officially began the statewide expansion of

the Child Predator CyberCrime Unit with the opening of the unit’s first

new location in Orlando. The Orlando location will be among six new

offices opening throughout Florida within the next year, enabling our

investigators and attorneys to extend our efforts to crack downon

child pornographers and individuals who solicit children over the

internet.

 

I was joined at the Orlando grand opening by members of the CyberCrime

Unit as well as Congressman Ric Keller, Orange County Mayor Richard

Crotty, State Attorney Lawson Lamar, Osceola County Sheriff Bob Hansel,

Deputy Orlando Police Chief Pete Gauntlett and many other members of

the local and state law enforcement and child advocate community. Having such a distinguished and dedicated group present highlights not only the importance of this effort, but of the need for a cooperative approach in the fight against predators lurking in cyberspace.

 

As part of the opening, I invited our guests and members of the media

to watch our CyberCrime law enforcement team conduct online chats while

posing as teenage girls. Within a matter of moments, the two officers

were approached by multiple men who rapidly engaged the "girls" in

sexually suggestive conversations. This took place on a Monday morning

at 10:30 a.m. Imagine what children are often exposed to late on a

weekend night... the thought is almost too horrible to contemplate.

 

The persistent nature of internet child predators is the very reason

the six new office locations and 50 new staff members were so desperately needed by our CyberCrime Unit. Florida ranks fourth in the nation for the volume of child pornography and national statistics tell us that one out of every seven children between the ages of 10 and 17 will be sexually solicited over the internet. With some of the strongest laws against cybercrime in the country, Florida now has a team dedicated to finding the individuals who are flouting those laws and enforcing the criminal sanctions for their dangerous, destructive and sometimes deadly behavior.

 

As we look toward the future and our new offices yet to be opened in

Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Pensacola, Tallahassee and Tampa, I am

encouraged by the strong support we have already received from members

of the law enforcement community as well as the people who work to

protect our children on a daily basis. Together, we will continue to

position Florida as a leader in the nation and the last place internet

predators will want to troll for their victims.

 

Thank you.

 

==========

 

Evelyn out

MCCOLLUM BRINGS CYBERSAFETY MESSAGE

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

with a mesage from th Attorney General of Florida, Bill McCullum to the parents, teachers and children advocates about the importance of cybersafety for teenagers.

----------

Bill McCollum

Attorney General

News Release

October 11, 2007

 

MCCOLLUM BRINGS CYBERSAFETY MESSAGE

TO PARENTS, EDUCATORS

 

 

CyberSafety Education Initiative discussed at Florida’s Children First Forum

 

                TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today visited Miramar City Hall and spoke with parents, educators and child advocates about the importance of cybersafety for teens.  Attorney General McCollum has developed a cybersafety program for middle and high school students that combines real-life stories and examples to help them identify ways they could be victimized by predators online. Members of the Attorney General’s Child Predator CyberCrime Unit have been bringing the 50-minute cybersafety program students statewide since the beginning of the school year.

 

                “Parents and teachers need to understand the real-world dangers that exist online,” said Attorney General Bill McCollum. “While technology and the internet present wonderful educational opportunities for our young people, we must take every precaution to keep kids safe from cyberpredators and that process begins with education and outreach.”  

 

                In May, Attorney General McCollum’s office launched a new cybersafety website, located at http://www.safeflorida.net/safesurf, to provide valuable information to adults, teens and younger children about staying safe while surfing the internet.  The SafeSurf children’s page includes several entertaining and educational games that teach internet safety.  The teen SafeSurf page offers tips on safeguarding personal information and avoiding dangerous situations.  It also provides a forum for stories from teenagers who were victimized on the internet.  The web page for adults offers a guide to popular internet language used in chat rooms and gives safety advice on how to monitor what your children are doing on the internet. 

 

<PCLASS=MSONORMAL style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">                To complement the new cybersafety school initiative, an additional component has now been added to the SafeSurf website for Florida’s principals.  The site allows middle and high school principals to log onto a calendar developed specifically for them and register their school to receive the Attorney General’s cybersafety presentation.  For more information on the Attorney General’s cybersafety initiative, please visit http://www.safeflorida.net

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                Today’s forum was hosted by the non-profit advocacy group Florida’s Children First and the law firm of Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinksy & Abate, and supported by Broward County Public Schools and Comcast.

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Evelyn out.

Gangs, Drugs, and Family Crime an Important Update

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn here,

 

With an update on my “Gangs, Drugs, and Family Crime” article posted on September 30, 2007. As with any of the articles posted here some people are not going to be pleased by what I write or what I choose to post from others sources, but I have already stated in a very early post that I am not trying to win awards or anyone popularity contest. Therefore, when I receive backlash or little acts of disrespect about an article I wrote, I am neither surprise nor intimidated by their reaction to it. However, I am a little awed by the fact that knowing that they are the subjects of the articles, they would attempt to interfere in my life with acts of nonsense.

 

When it became clear to the families who where and still might be deeply involved in selling drugs scene who live on the corner that I was writing about them, there was a little display of defiant. In addition, I suspect that that some of the women from those families had groups together with their male partners or friends to stage of little show of defiant by parking their cars on that corner and milling around each evening. I saw them there several evenings when I arrived home from work or another outing. They did not keep it up for long, so I believe the waited for me. I got a few meaningful glances my way but as I stated I was not surprise, and I honestly hope that none of women were parents of the teenagers who brutalized that other teenage boy who lives up there. Still, I just believe those people really do not see what I am truly saying in my article about their behavior and what they have done to this community with their continuous rebellion, crime, and revenge seeking. They do not see the many lives they have damaged. I thank God that many of us have learned to bounce back and carry on with our lives in spite of what these people have done.

 

Some of the older children as well as those who visit them had developed the habit of standing in that street, as I would drive by. This street is the same one, on the same corner, that I have stated is in need of an additional street light. This corner is nearly pitch dark at night and anyone wearing dark clothing and who is standing in that street cannot be seen until a driver is almost on them. Because this corner street is where the drugs sales were happening, it is also the street where someone from one of families parked a dull (it looked unpainted) black car crosswise in the center of it. You can imagine what would have happened to anyone driving around that corner a little too fast or his or her mind on something else. This is not a nice group of people.

 

Furthermore, I keep excluding a fourth house. Until lately, I have seldom seen the occupants across the street and two houses up from me, so I have rarely thought of them. However, I am speaking of the family who triggered this whole revenge thing. Theirs reasons, I once tried to get a restraining order on the grandmother and couple years later I got a restraining of one of the male in their family both for harassment. They, their male family members, and the pushers on the corner are all linked, and I believe there are some blood ties among them along with one other their families on my block. Yet, in the center of all this is their illegal drugs, and their need the control this area, my street, that corner where they live, and intimidation and sometimes brutal intimidation has been their tools over their  neighbors.

 

 

This revenge thing has been going on for nearly a decade and these people have nearly destroyed this community with their deceitfulness, damaging other people property, relieving their pit bulls on pets and other forms bullying in the neighborhood. Some of what they have done and have started to do again is tailing me, and attempting to start problems for me and the employees and managers in the places that I frequent. Yesterday the man, who made a rude sexual gesture as a teenage girl and I were passing by, tried this dirty trick; he decided it would be a good idea to come on my property. It was a very, very bad idea. He and the others involved with their vendetta know without thinking about it that I would never want them on my property. It is bad enough that they have taken advantage of husband lack of good judgment in some people character by attempting to make this situation appear milder or harmless by inviting his to sit with them or some other nonsense when the police are around, this man would try this subtle intimidation with us on our property. It did not work, and I made sure he left the property with the words that he is to never, ever step of this property again. I backed up my actions and statements with a call to the police department because I meant every word that I said to him.

 

Remember, that these are same families who have influenced other people so badly that some people have been fired from their jobs because of acts they committed to create a scene or create problems for me. These families have not given up on their vengeful acts, and they certainly do not like the fact that other residents in the neighborhood want their crimes and vendetta to stop.

 

They hate me. It has been stated. They hate me because I am informing the community of their actions. My family was just one of their victims but there are been more and some were forced to move away. However, I do not want the good people who live here to believe that they have to live under threats, watch criminals’ sale their poison on our streets, brutality children in public, or use the infirm to mislead the authorities for their own purpose. Many residents are exercising their rights to have a cleaner and safer neighborhood, whichis free of illegal sale, adult and teen violent, other criminal acts come with them.

 

As I stated early in this article, I knew that those involve with these crimes would try to retaliate in some way; however, I believe in truth and all the other things involving goodness; so I will not stop doing what I know to be is right.

 

Evelyn out.

 

It is better to be hated for things done for the betterment of a sociality, than to have placidly given in to its corruption and done nothing at all.

 

 

 

LEGISLATURE ENSURES THAT FLORIDA'S DRIVERS ARE PROTECTED UNDER THE FLORIDA'S NO-FAULT LAW

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

below is a message from our honorable Governor, Charlie Crist.  In this message he addresses the issue of government spending.  Governor Crist also acknowledged President Ken Pruitt and our House Speaker Marco Rubio and other members of the Florida Legislature for their responsible leadership, strength, courage, and outstanding diplomacy in bringing about this year’s fiscal state budget. 

The Legislature also took action on Florida's no-fault law and personal injury protection requirements, ensuring that Florida's drivers continue to be protected while also reducing the possibility insurance fraud.

 

Now For Governor Crist . . .

 

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Dear Friends,   This week, the Florida Legislature returned to Tallahassee to focus on the state's budget and how to spend the people's money wisely.    Last May, I signed a fiscally responsible state budget.  Current revenue estimates indicate that we must continue to tighten our belt in order to live within our means, just as Florida's families do every day.  We must do what is right.  I know that our Senate President Ken Pruitt and our House Speaker Marco Rubio believe that, too.  We have a duty to balance Florida's budget, and it is a constitutional duty.                                                It is an honor to serve alongside leaders like President Pruitt and Speaker Rubio.  I applaud them and the other members of the Florida Legislature for their leadership and their strength, their courage and their outstanding statesmanship.  They care, as I do, about the people of Florida -- our boss -- and doing what is right for our great state.    As we tighten our belts, we must be sure that we re-fire the economic engine that is Florida.  I have proposed providing help for first-time home buyers, appropriating funds for school construction projects and fast-tracking some of our transportation projects.  By taking these steps, we can re-fire that economy more quickly.    We must also remember that there is gold in green, that renewable energy such as solar and wind -- as well as ethanol and hydrogen -- are important to Florida's economic future, as well as the health of our environment.       This week, the Legislature also took action on Florida's no-fault law and personal injury protection requirements, ensuring that Florida's drivers continue to be protected while also reducing the possibility of fraud.  I applaud the great leaders of the Florida Legislature for serving the best interests of the people and reforming personal injury protection.  I want to thank President Pruitt and Speaker Rubio, and especially Senator Bill Posey and Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff, who have worked tirelessly to find common ground on this important issue.   May God bless you and the great state of Florida,

www.FLGov.com

 

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Evelyn out.

BILL MCCOLLUM REVEALED A NEW BILL DESIGNED TO HELP FIGHT HOME GROWN MARIJUANA CULTIVATION

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn here,

 

On October 2, 2007 Attorney General Bill McCollum revealed a new  bill proposal designed to help fight the growth of in-house marijuana cultivation within private and rental homes.   

 

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Attorney General

News Release

October 2, 2007

               

 

MCCOLLUM, LEGISLATORS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT UNVEIL BILL

TO COMBAT MARIJUANA GROW HOUSES

 

 

New Law Would Substantially Toughen Penalties

For Drug Growers

 

                TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum today unveiled a legislative proposal to fight the increasing threat that marijuana grow houses pose to neighborhoods throughout Florida. The Marijuana Grow House Eradication Act also contains powerful child protection provisions including enhanced penalties for those who have a child present at a grow house and enhanced penalties for those who have illegal drugs in close proximity to children under the age of three.

 

                “As Florida’s Attorney General, my priority is protecting our children and our communities from the devastation of illegal drugs,” said Attorney General McCollum. “This legislation targets those who grow marijuana for profit.”

 

               

Attorney General McCollum is joined by law enforcement and state legislators to announce the new proposed legislation

 

                In 2006, law enforcement detected marijuana grow houses in 41 of Florida’s 67 counties, ranking Florida second only to California in the amount of grow houses. Many marijuana growers have moved from rural fields to sophisticated growing operations in the suburbs of Florida. This cultivation shift has been accompanied by new techniques to vastly increase the drug’s potency. This extremely potent form of marijuana contains up to 15 times the amount of THC, the addictive chemical found in marijuana, than marijuana common 20 years ago. Grow house marijuana has a street value of $4,000-$6,000 per pound and can be traded pound for pound for cocaine.

 

                The legislation, sponsored by Senator Steve Oelrich (R – Gainesville) and Representative Nick Thompson (R – Fort Myers), creates a tough new penalty for those who grow 25 plants or more. This legislative change specifically targets for-profit growers who exploit Florida’s current trafficking standards of 300 plants and the federal threshold of 100 plants to avoid prison time. Additionally, the bill creates a new penalty against those who own a house for the purpose of cultivating marijuana, as well as a new penalty for those who live in or are the caretakers of marijuana grow houses.

 

                “Every time law enforcement can detect a grow house and arrest those involved with it, less crime will be on our streets,” Senator Oelrich said, also stating that the main purpose of this legislation is eliminating the spread of illegal drugs in Florida. “This legislation will provide law enforcement with critical tools to get these narcotics out of our kids’ hands and put drug traffickers behind bars.”

 

                “In Florida, those who use grow houses to traffic drugs belong in prison,” added Representative Thompson. “Under this legislation we are clearly telling drug dealers, ‘if you grow, you go!’"

 

                Currently, law enforcement around the state is required to store cumbersome grow house equipment in order to preserve it as evidence. In order to address this growing storage burden, the bill allows a photograph or video recording of equipment used in the cultivation of a marijuana plant to be considered as evidence in the prosecution of the crime. The bill will also allow law enforcement to destroy grow house equipment upon the completion of all investigations and provides immunity from any civil liability to law enforcement for the destruction of the grow house equipment.

 

                "Whether grown outdoors or in a garage, marijuana today is extremely potent and dangerous and the cultivation of this illicit drug will not be tolerated by DEA," said Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Miami Field Division.

 

                The Marijuana Grow House Eradication Act is expected to be heard during the 2008 Legislative Session. Also inattendance at the event  were LarryHolifield, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Miami Field Division Office,  Cape Coral Chief of Police Rob Petrovich and Major Jeff Taylor of the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

 

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Evelyn out.