Latest news with #FDLE
CBS News
5 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Ex-Hialeah police chief Sergio Velazquez arrested in alleged theft of public funds spent on Rolex, Cartier, authorities say
A former Hialeah police chief was arrested Monday following an investigation into allegations that he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds, officials said. Alleged misuse of police funds and financial structuring Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said Sergio Velazquez, 62, who served as chief from 2012 until his suspension in 2021, is charged with structuring, grand theft and an organized scheme to defraud. She called the case "shocking," citing the breach of public trust by someone in such a high-ranking position. Velazquez was arrested as he left his home Monday morning. At the time of his suspension by newly elected Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo in November 2021, Velazquez was earning $211,000 annually, making him the city's second-highest-paid employee. Investigation details reveal cash deposits and luxury purchases John Vecchio, Special Agent in Charge for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Miami Regional Operations Center, said the arrest followed a complaint from the current police chief, who discovered discrepancies involving seized funds and petty cash stored in the department's safe. FDLE agents allege that between 2015 and 2021, Velazquez made more than 900 cash deposits across multiple personal bank accounts, all under $10,000, amounts structured to avoid federal reporting requirements. The funds allegedly came from sources intended for confidential police operations and court-ordered forfeitures. Financial records reviewed in the investigation show Velazquez made over $300,000 in purchases from Rolex, along with additional luxury expenditures including $11,000 at Cartier, $6,700 at Louis Vuitton, and $5,000 at Versace. Officials noted that all suspicious cash deposit activity ceased following Velazquez's suspension in late 2021. Over $500,000 missing during five-month span The FDLE's probe revealed that during the final five months of Velazquez's tenure—from May to October 2021—about $560,000 in department funds were unaccounted for. Investigators identified 62 cash deposits during that time, all under the $10,000 threshold. Vecchio said the case involved more than 4,500 hours of investigative work, including subpoenaing financial records, conducting interviews, and executing search warrants.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pensacola man, woman arrested on fentanyl charges: FDLE
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — A Pensacola man and woman were arrested Wednesday on fentanyl-related charges among others. Todd and Julie Chrisley have been released from federal prison (live updates) According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Darius Andreas Brooks, 37, and Jennifer Lynn Beck, 53, were arrested. Brooks is accused of trafficking fentanyl, trafficking heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Beck is accused of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl and possession of controlled substances without a prescription. 'Today's arrests highlight FDLE's unwavering commitment to fighting fentanyl traffickers in Florida,' FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said. 'I am proud of the dedicated FDLE agents and crime analysts who continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure drug traffickers are held accountable.' An investigation began in July 2024 when FDLE was tipped off about fentnayl distribution in Pensacola. Brooks and Beck were named in the tip. Further investigation revealed both were trafficking drugs along with David Ryan Thompson, who was arrested in February, according to the FDLE. Law enforcement served search warrants Wednesday in Pensacola, Molino and Cantonment. They seized about one kilogram (or over 2.2 pounds) of fentanyl, trafficking amounts of heroine, trafficking amounts of methampetamine, trafficking amounts of MDMA, about one pound of cannabis, an AR-15 rifle, a stolen AK-47 rifle, cash, several cell phones and a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro. Brooks and Beck were taken into custody and booked into the Escambia County Jail without incident. The First Judicial Circuit Office of the State Attorney will prosecute the case. Biloxi man sets Mississippi saltwater fishing record This investigation included FDLE, the Pensacola Police Department, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Kendra Day contributed to this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
FDLE seeks help a year later in solving Memorial Day murder
HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is seeking help in solving a murder that took place over Memorial Day weekend one year ago. On May 25, 2024, Marco Mandujano was murdered at Ginnie Springs Park in Gilchrist County. With the first anniversary approaching, Mandujano's loved ones, along with FDLE, continue to search for answers. Mandujano was among the crowd that gathered at the park to celebrate the upcoming holiday last year. According to the FDLE, at 11:30 p.m., a fight broke out near the Devil's Spring and the Tube Launch, and gunshots were fired. Mandujano, an innocent bystander, was shot and killed while he and his friends were walking through the area. The FDLE is asking the public for help in identifying the persons involved. Anyone with information about the murder is asked to contact FDLE Special Agent Barry Kays at 386-462-9975 or email him at . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lake County Man accused of using Snapchat account for child porn
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, a man was arrested in Lake County on Wednesday on five charges of possessing child sexual abuse material. Elmer Bautista, a 22-year-old from Leesburg, was arrested as part of FDLE's statewide effort to identify and apprehend individuals who exploit children and distribute images of child sexual abuse. He is being held without bond pending his first appearance. In November 2024, the FDLE launched an investigation into Bautista after law enforcement got a tip regarding someone uploading digital files that showed the sexual abuse of children to a Snapchat account. The investigation determined that Bautista is both the owner of the email address linked to the account and the account holder. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement obtained an arrest warrant and the Lake County Sheriff's Office executed the arrest of Mr. Bautista. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
FDLE investigating Orange County commissioners' use of Skybox tickets
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating how Orange County commissioners are using Skybox tickets. 9 Investigates obtained an email showing FDLE investigators requesting records from Orange County on all Skybox ticket receipts. FDLE specifically asked for the tickets issued to each county commissioner for each event from December 1, 2018 to the present day, in an email sent to the county on May 14. In a statement to 9 Investigates, the agency said it would not comment on complaints received or active investigations. Our 9 Investigates team has investigated how Commissioner Mayra Uribe gave hundreds of free Skybox tickets to her husband's former charity, All Star Dads. Some of these were tickets to big games like USA v Brazil and big-name acts like Bad Bunny, Travis Scott and Def Leopard. After our investigation, the county changed its Skybox policy. When Uribe announced she was running for Orange County mayor, she also told Channel 9's Ashlyn Webb that she would release information clearing up questions surrounding her use of Skybox tickets. Uribe said she would release that information by May 20. However, she hasn't released any new information so far. Check back with Channel 9 for updates. Do you have a story for WFTV's 9 Investigators? Click the banner below to submit a tip.
