Florida Attorney General - Volume 7, Issue 24

Publication of the Office of the Attorney General • Volume 7, Issue 24 • June 19, 2009

Recognizing the Importance of Florida's Fathers

This Sunday is Father's Day, a time to recognize the important impact fathers and father figures have on children and who those children will become. The love, support, and wisdom provided by these men set a powerful example and are key factors in raising responsible citizens. I know my dad has been an incredible influence in my life and in the lives of my three sons and two grandsons.

Many fathers will be away from their children this Father's Day, serving in the Armed Forces. These men are making strides to promote freedom and democracy around the globe, ensuring a better future for children all over the world, and for that we owe them our sincere appreciation.

I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the time they’ve shared with fathers and family. Make a phone call, send an email, or write a letter to thank a male role model in your life for the difference he has made. A few words can make all the difference, and these men deserve that and so much more.

Hover over each image for a larger size.

A registered sex offender from Fernandina Beach has been arrested by the Attorney General's CyberCrime Unit, based on a tip from Alabama that he was sexually assaulting a child. CyberCrime investigators arrested Michael Drew Roberson in Nassau County late last night on a warrant from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

A Pinellas County man has been arrested on charges he used the internet to sexually solicit a Pennsylvania teenager and groomed her to engage in sexual activity online. Michael John Tyler was arrested by the Attorney Generals’ CyberCrime Unit after receiving a cybertip from Pennsylvania authorities about Tyler's alleged criminal activity. The tip was referred to the Pennsylvania authorities after the victim called the National Suicide Hotline.

Florida Attorney General McCollum filed an objection in the General Motors bankruptcy case in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to ensure Florida’s ability to regulate automotive manufacturers and protect consumers purchasing General Motors vehicles.

Attorney General McCollum joined State Attorney Bruce Colton, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, and the Ft. Pierce Police Department to announce the arrests of six members and associates of a dangerous gang located in Ft. Pierce. The investigation into the Zoe Pound gang was initiated as part of a concerted effort of regional law enforcement agencies in accordance with the Attorney General's Gang Reduction Initiative.

A former employee of an Okaloosa County group home for disabled individuals was arrested on charges that she abused a disabled resident of the facility. Latoera O’Neal, a caregiver at Horizon's, was arrested by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with assistance from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office.

An Orlando man was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in a heroin and cocaine trafficking operation which distributed narcotics throughout Central Florida. Charles Guzman pled guilty in November 2008 to conspiring to traffic in 400 grams or more of cocaine in a case prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Attorney General McCollum and The Humane Society of the United States, joined by nearly half of the state Attorneys General, filed “friend of the court” or amicus briefs urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate a crucial federal animal cruelty law struck down by the federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals last year. Twenty-five state Attorneys General joined Florida's brief.

McCollum Files Objection to General Motors' Attempt to Amend Dealer Franchise Agreements

McCollum Joins State Board of Administration to Launch Florida Venture Capital Initiative

Key Members of Violent Ft. Pierce Gang Arrested

Florida Registered Sex Offender Arrested on Alabama CyberCrime Tip

Former Care Giver Arrested for Abusing Disabled Victim

Orlando Cocaine Trafficker Receives 13-Year Prison Sentence

Attorney General's Statement on Miami-Dade Police Officer's Death

Pinellas County Man Arrested for Soliciting Online Sexual Activity from a Pennsylvania Teenager

Florida Attorney General, The HSUS Ask U.S. Supreme Court to Uphold Federal Law Banning Depictions of Extreme Animal Cruelty

Attorney General McCollum sent a letter to Governor Crist on the Investment Protection Act (HB 483), an important piece of legislation which provides new tools to combat securities fraud in Florida.
A copy of the letter is available online at: http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/KGRG-7T6QUC/$file/HB483.pdf

Attorney General McCollum joined Ash Williams, CIO of the State Board of Administration (SBA), and Mario Giannini, CEO of Hamilton Lane to launch the SBA's Florida Growth Fund initiative, a Florida venture capital initiative. The growth fund will manage $250 million of capital on behalf of the Florida Retirement System Pension Fund, which will be dedicated to prudent investment in technology- and growth-related businesses with a significant presence in Florida.

Attorney General McCollum released a statement of condolence to the family, friends and colleagues of Miami-Dade Police Officer Giovanni Gonzalez who was killed in a vehicle accident.