Latest news with #SheriffMichelleCook
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
Hundreds of teens run off from Orange Park Mall amid crackdown on bad behavior. What we know
A crackdown on bad behavior at Orange Park Mall, sparked by reports of disturbances by unruly youths, sent hundreds running July 5 amid a massive presence by Clay County sheriff's deputies. No arrests or injuries were reported immediately as deputies swarmed to get the crowd under control, according to social media posts and videos that went viral overnight. Neither Clay County Sheriff's Office officials nor Orange Park Mall management could be reached for comment on July 6. However, Sheriff Michelle Cook said in a July 7 statement emailed to the Times-Union that "one juvenile civil citation was issued, a number of kids were detained, and parents were called for pickup" during the incident. The Sheriff's Office warned on Facebook the morning of July 5 that it would be out in force that evening after learning that a "big reunion was planned" at the mall at 1919 Wells Road. "And our feelings were hurt we didn't get an invite! So in good fashion, we will be out and about all over Clay County to keep the peace, and if we have to we will play the party crashers!" the Sheriff's Office post said. Mall management also posted an advisory that morning, saying it would strictly enforce its code of conduct. It warned that "violations may result in removal from the property, loss of shopping privileges and/or criminal prosecution." The mall posted a link to the code of conduct on its website. At 7:30 p.m. July 5, the Sheriff's Office announced on Facebook that people needed to immediately come get their children if they were at the mall. That announcement triggered 1,200 comments as of 10:30 a.m. July 6. Deputies could be seen about 8 p.m. surrounding groups of teenagers at the mall. A Sheriff's Office spokesperson told Times-Union news partner First Coast News that deputies responded to a group of teens causing "disturbances" there. Some commenters reported seeing groups estimated at 20 to 100 teenagers running from the mall across Wells Road and Blanding Boulevard as sheriff's deputies worked at crowd control. Many social media posters voiced support for the Sheriff's Office and mall officials. Others decried the necessity for the crackdown. And some denounced troublemakers, as well as their parents for failing to raise their children right. One witness posted: "A lot of the stores closed early. My spouse and I were in shock. And parents really do need to know what their children are up to." Another said parents need to step up. "No kids should be at the mall without adult supervision. Enforce the rules! We use to back in the day, but we were taught how to be respectful and responsible. Most kids these days are raising themselves and could care less about others! It's such a shame," the post read. Another called on Clay County officials to create more activities for youths so they will have something to do besides cause trouble at the mall. "Kids congregate there because there is nothing for them to do in Orange Park except skating rink and movies. Therefore they find and create trouble. … I'm not excusing bad children or bad parenting, but idle hands & minds do the devil's work. You want to reduce crime, give these kids something to do ( a lot of them may be in 1/2 absent parent homes due to parents working, drugs, or incarceration)." Opened in 1975, Orange Park Mall is the Jacksonville area's second-oldest indoor shopping mall. The weekend incident was the most recent disturbance involving teenagers at the 953,000 square foot shopping center. 2014 teen disturbance: Crowd of teens involved in weekend incidents at Orange Park Mall, Chick-fil-A Past incidents date back to at least 2014, Times-Union archives show, and have happened sporadically since then. (This story has been updated with new information) This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Hundreds of teens cleared from Orange Park Mall amid disturbance
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
Clay County deputy arrested, fired amid investigation into sexual assault of theft victim
A Clay County sheriff's deputy was arrested and fired amid an ongoing investigation into allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman who reported a theft at her home earlier this month. Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said Ryan Perry, 33, was arrested the evening of June 27 on a charge of armed sexual battery under the color of law in an investigation launched June 21 when the Sheriff's Office was notified of the allegation. Cook said the alleged incident happened June 18 when Perry and another deputy — who she emphasized was not implicated — responded to the victim's Orange Park home to investigate a reported theft. Perry is accused of following the victim upstairs to her bedroom while the second deputy remained downstairs talking to witnesses regarding the theft. "While Perry and the victim were alone, Perry demanded that the victim expose her breasts for him, and then he inappropriately touched the victim against her will in a manner that completed the offense of sexual battery," Cook told reporters during a briefing after the June 27 arrest. Cook said the Sheriff's Office immediately began investigating when the incident was reported on June 21. 'Through multiple interviews and further investigative efforts, detectives gathered the evidence needed to arrest Perry for armed sexual battery, and he was arrested earlier this evening,' Cook said. Cook urged anyone who might have had a similar encounter with Perry to immediately contact the Sheriff's Office. "We are interested in hearing from anyone who may have had a similar experience with Ryan Perry as this investigation continues," said Cook, adding that she "wants to speak directly to the citizens of Clay County. " Cook said Perry's employment was terminated at the Sheriff's Office with his arrest. He had been a Sheriff's Office employee since October 2018. 'I want to speak directly to the citizens of Clay County who have ever been through the burdens of trauma of sexual assault. We hear you. We stand with you, and we will fight for you," Cook said. Speaking directly to the community during the briefing, Cook said she "could not be more disappointed tonight with the news that I have to share with our community.' "It is devastating to us as an agency and to me personally, and I assure you that we will follow through on this and justice will be served," Cook said. Former JSO officer sentenced: 'Extraordinarily serious': Ex-cop Josue Garriga gets 24 years in prison for underage sex Ex-JSO cop, softball coach sentenced : Former JSO officer, softball coach sentenced to 20 years on 2 counts of attempted sexual battery She thanked the victim, whom she described as "very brave" for coming forward. After the incident happened, the victim told some friends and family about it and they encouraged her to report it to the Sheriff's Office. When she did, detectives launched the investigation, Cook said. The Sheriff's Office had investigated two prior complaints against Perry during his employment with the agency. One complaint "was sustained" and the other "was unfounded," she said. "One was somewhat similar … but was unfounded at the time," she said. Cook said the other complaint against Perry involved "a different type of charge," and was sustained. The complaint that was sustained involved an allegation of "inappropriate" comments, reported First Coast News, the Times-Union's news partner. First Coast News reported that a document of the sustained complaint stated that Perry "admitted he made inappropriate comments during his conversations with (the complainant)." The document describes Perry complimenting the complainant's appearance and telling her, "I want to **** you," according to the First Coast News report. Cook said that "any time a deputy does wrong, it's devastating." "It's sad. It's devastating. We work so hard to build community trust. We work so hard to build a culture here of an organization that serves and protects the community and not victimizes the community. So this is absolutely devastating," Cook said of the impact on the Sheriff's Office. Cook also said personally, "It makes me mad." "I'm pissed. Devastated. Let down. We're here to protect and serve our community, not victimize them. The fact that somebody who wears a badge victimized somebody in this community is devastating. It makes me mad," Cook said. Information wasn't immediately available regarding court proceedings in the case This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Clay County sheriff's deputy arrested on sexual assault charge, fired
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
Clay County deputy arrested, fired amid investigation into sexual assault of theft victim
A Clay County sheriff's deputy was arrested and fired amid an ongoing investigation into allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman who reported a theft at her home earlier this month. Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said Ryan Perry, 33, was arrested the evening of June 27 on a charge of armed sexual battery under the color of law in an investigation launched June 21 when the Sheriff's Office was notified of the allegation. Cook said the alleged incident happened June 18 when Perry and another deputy — who she emphasized was not implicated — responded to the victim's Orange Park home to investigate a reported theft. Perry is accused of following the victim upstairs to her bedroom while the second deputy remained downstairs talking to witnesses regarding the theft. "While Perry and the victim were alone, Perry demanded that the victim expose her breasts for him, and then he inappropriately touched the victim against her will in a manner that completed the offense of sexual battery," Cook told reporters during a briefing after the June 27 arrest. Cook said the Sheriff's Office immediately began investigating when the incident was reported on June 21. 'Through multiple interviews and further investigative efforts, detectives gathered the evidence needed to arrest Perry for armed sexual battery, and he was arrested earlier this evening,' Cook said. Cook urged anyone who might have had a similar encounter with Perry to immediately contact the Sheriff's Office. "We are interested in hearing from anyone who may have had a similar experience with Ryan Perry as this investigation continues," said Cook, adding that she "wants to speak directly to the citizens of Clay County. " Cook said Perry's employment was terminated at the Sheriff's Office with his arrest. He had been a Sheriff's Office employee since October 2018. 'I want to speak directly to the citizens of Clay County who have ever been through the burdens of trauma of sexual assault. We hear you. We stand with you, and we will fight for you," Cook said. Speaking directly to the community during the briefing, Cook said she "could not be more disappointed tonight with the news that I have to share with our community.' "It is devastating to us as an agency and to me personally, and I assure you that we will follow through on this and justice will be served," Cook said. Former JSO officer sentenced: 'Extraordinarily serious': Ex-cop Josue Garriga gets 24 years in prison for underage sex Ex-JSO cop, softball coach sentenced : Former JSO officer, softball coach sentenced to 20 years on 2 counts of attempted sexual battery She thanked the victim, whom she described as "very brave" for coming forward. After the incident happened, the victim told some friends and family about it and they encouraged her to report it to the Sheriff's Office. When she did, detectives launched the investigation, Cook said. The Sheriff's Office had investigated two prior complaints against Perry during his employment with the agency. One complaint "was sustained" and the other "was unfounded," she said. "One was somewhat similar … but was unfounded at the time," she said. Cook said the other complaint against Perry involved "a different type of charge," and was sustained. The complaint that was sustained involved an allegation of "inappropriate" comments, reported First Coast News, the Times-Union's news partner. First Coast News reported that a document of the sustained complaint stated that Perry "admitted he made inappropriate comments during his conversations with (the complainant)." The document describes Perry complimenting the complainant's appearance and telling her, "I want to **** you," according to the First Coast News report. Cook said that "any time a deputy does wrong, it's devastating." "It's sad. It's devastating. We work so hard to build community trust. We work so hard to build a culture here of an organization that serves and protects the community and not victimizes the community. So this is absolutely devastating," Cook said of the impact on the Sheriff's Office. Cook also said personally, "It makes me mad." "I'm pissed. Devastated. Let down. We're here to protect and serve our community, not victimize them. The fact that somebody who wears a badge victimized somebody in this community is devastating. It makes me mad," Cook said. Information wasn't immediately available regarding court proceedings in the case This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Clay County sheriff's deputy arrested on sexual assault charge, fired
