Many law enforcement officers on the front lines of this pandemic have contracted COVID-19—some fatally. At least six officers in Florida have died due to the virus with many others becoming seriously ill.
We have also seen deliberate, brutal attacks on officers across the country, even right here in Florida. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, 28 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty during the first half of 2020; an increase of approximately 17% from the same time period last year. This madness MUST end.
I can tell you from a lifetime of public service, that the vast majority of law enforcement are good people dedicated to selfless service. They are heroes, willing to pay the ultimate price to protect us from crime and uphold order.
I am constantly exploring ways to promote positive impacts of law enforcement officers on local communities—from launching a statewide Back the Blue campaign, to partnering with law enforcement agencies by encouraging the growth of the Bigs in Blue mentorship program of Big Brothers Big Sisters. These officers, citizens and organizations are taking extraordinary steps to forge positive relationships in their communities.
The great men and women who swore an oath to protect and serve need our support now more than ever before. Thank them for their service, even if they’ve pulled you over, because without these heroes, chaos, disorder and violence would destroy this great nation we all love.
Stay safe, Florida.
In The News
Ashley Moody pushes Congress for federal penalties against attacks on police, Florida Politics
Ashley Moody: We Are Seeing ‘Deliberate, Brutal Attacks’ on Police Officers, Florida Daily
AG urges Floridians to Back the Blue, 1290 WJNO News Radio
Florida Attorney General Urges Congress Provide Federal Penalties on Individuals Targeting Law Enforcement, Space Coast Daily
16 arrested in child sex sting, including former Manatee County sergeant, WFLA Tampa
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Announces New York Woman Arrested for Elder Exploitation of Florida Resident
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, with the assistance of the Rotterdam New York Police Department, arrested a Schenectady, New York woman for elder exploitation. Authorities arrested Amanda Shaw on one count of exploitation of an elderly person and one count of organized scheme to defraud for abusing a power of attorney to exploit almost $100,000 from a Deland resident. Shaw is a relative of the victim who resides in a Medicaid-funded facility in Florida.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “If you exploit our seniors, we will find you and bring you to justice. I am proud of the strong partnerships our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigators and attorneys have built with our law enforcement partners to stop fraud against Floridians, no matter where the criminals reside.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Calls for Federal Penalties Against Criminals Targeting Law Enforcement Officers
Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging Congress to provide for federal penalties against individuals who deliberately target local, state, federal or tribal law enforcement officers with violence. Attorney General Moody sent a letter to congressional leaders to take up and pass the Protect and Serve Act of 2019. The Act provides for a federal prison term of up to 10 years for anyone who knowingly assaults a law enforcement officer, causing serious bodily injury under circumstances where the crime affects interstate or foreign commerce. The call to action follows a disturbing increase in line-of-duty deaths nationwide—there are more officer deaths so far this year than all of 2019.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Legislation identical to the Protect and Serve Act of 2019 received overwhelming, bipartisan support in passing the U.S. House just a few years ago, then somehow stalled. But this Act is needed now more than ever, as law enforcement officer deaths are rising at an alarming pace. I am calling on our congressional leaders to demonstrate courage and stand up for our officers who risk their lives daily to protect American communities we all love. PASS THE ACT.” Read More
Suspects on House Arrest Busted for Series of Home Invasions
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, along with the Hollywood Police Department, announced the arrests of three South Florida residents for a string of burglaries spanning multiple counties. The Broward Sheriff’s Office and Margate Police Department assisted HPD with the execution of the arrests of Zion Odain Denvor Hall, Tremaine Raekwon Hill and Tyrek Davontae Williams. The suspects are accused of operating a series of home burglaries throughout South Florida totaling nearly 30 residential break-ins—all while on house arrest and wearing police global positioning system tracking devices.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This organized burglary ring stole thousands of dollars’ worth of guns, jewelry and electronics from dozens of Florida homes. They must have thought they were pretty smart, but clearly, they couldn’t outsmart our Statewide Prosecutors and the great police detectives who were able to use the suspects’ own GPS tracking devices to place them at the scenes of many of these burglaries. This is another shining example of great police work removing criminals from society so they can no longer wreak havoc on the lives of law-abiding citizens.” Read More
Operation Small Talk: Sheriff Chad Chronister, AG Ashley Moody Discuss Results of Online Chat Operation
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister revealed the 16 men arrested as a result of an online chat operation.From July 28 to July 30, 2020, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office detectives went undercover during "Operation Small Talk" to pose as minors in hopes of catching sexual predators in the act. They created fake personas to speak with subjects online and on various social media platforms.
“As Attorney General, I am proud of the work of our Statewide Prosecutors and the Hillsborough County Deputies that resulted in the arrests of these monsters," said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. "As a mother, I am deeply disturbed at how many predators are out there—online and in our communities—looking to harm children. Thanks to great police work, there are a few less in our midst today and that should serve as a bold warning to anyone looking to harm a child in Florida.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Moody joined Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister following the arrests of 16 individuals soliciting minors for sex. Attorney General Moody commends the great police work from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and her Office of Statewide Prosecution for the operation leading to the arrests.
