Latest news with #FloridaAttorneyGeneral
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Some Florida officers are continuing to charge people under halted immigration law
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Some law enforcement officers are continuing to charge people under a Florida law that bans people living in the U.S. illegally from entering the state, even though a federal judge has halted enforcement of the law while it's challenged in court. Two more people were arrested and charged under the law in July, according to a report Florida's attorney general is required to file as punishment for defying the judge's ruling. Both men were arrested by a sheriff's officer in Sarasota County, located on the state's southwest coast. The charges came months after U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams in Miami first halted enforcement of the state statute, which makes it a misdemeanor for people who are in the U.S. without legal permission to enter Florida by eluding immigration officials. As punishment for flouting her order and being found in civil contempt, the judge required Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to file bimonthly reports about whether any arrests, detentions or law enforcement actions have been made under the law. In separate incidents on July 3 and July 28, the men were each charged with driving without a valid license and offenses related to driving under the influence of alcohol. The State Attorney's Office for the 12th Judicial Circuit dismissed the illegal entry charges against them, and requested that the sheriff's office advice the arresting officer of the court's order halting enforcement of the law, according to the status report. A spokesperson for Uthmeier did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a separate court filing, immigrants' rights advocates who filed the lawsuit questioned whether state officials are using the blocked law to justify holding detainees at an isolated immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz.' Attorneys for the advocates provided the court an email apparently sent by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement employee to the offices of members of Congress, stating that Florida officials are relying on legal authority granted by the blocked law. 'ICE's email raises serious concerns about potential violations of the Court's injunction on a large scale,' attorneys for the immigrants' rights groups wrote, asking the court to order the state to explain under what legal authority it's holding people at the Everglades facility. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Florida Attorney General's Office announced the shutdown of fraudulent SunPass websites
The Florida Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution announced the shutdown of hundreds of SunPass websites targeting users with fake notices and phishing schemes to obtain sensitive user information. Attorney General John Guard said, 'These fraudulent SunPass websites preyed on unsuspecting Floridians and tourists, trying to steal personal information through fake billing notices.' SunPass users were targeted with fake toll notices and phishing schemes, attempting to steal personal and financial information. Read: TODAY: SpaceX crews to launch Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Space Coast Guard continues, 'We are taking swift action to shut down these sites and protect consumers. Floridians need to be cautious when receiving texts or emails claiming they owe money for tolls as it could be a scam.' Read: SEE: Epic Universe offers first look at menu items The Florida Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Cyber Fraud Analytical Support Team, will launch a new consumer protection resource named Scams at a Glance: SunPass Safety. Read: 16 counts of animal cruelty and neglect issued to Polk County woman Users are advised to: • Verify the source by contacting SunPass or E-ZPass directly using the customer service numbers listed on the official websites; • Check accounts for unpaid tolls using the official SunPass or E-ZPass portals, not by using the links in an unsolicited email or text message • Know that messages threatening penalties if immediate payment is not made is probably a scam. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
