Latest news with #FDLE
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Florida middle school teacher allegedly used real student photos to create AI-generated porn: FDLE
HOLLY HILL, Fla. - A middle school teacher in Central Florida was arrested Thursday on 19 charges related to child sex abuse material and animal sexual abuse. He's accused of downloading and sharing child pornography on Discord, including potentially using students' photos to create AI-generated pornography. What we know David McKeown, a sixth-grade teacher at UBIC Academy, was arrested Thursday at his home in Volusia County, both FDLE and Florida AG's Office said. Detectives alleged that McKeown shared and downloaded pornographic images depicting child porn and animal abuse via Discord while at school – and connected to the school's WiFi network, both agencies said. He allegedly shared nearly 30 images. Authorities believe McKeown used AI technology to create these pornographic images, and may have used photos of real children. The investigation was launched on June 2 after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Detectives seized a number of devices from his home in Holly Hill and from the school. He was booked into the Volusia County jail and a judge denied him the possibility of bond. If convicted, he faces up to 315 years in prison, officials said. What they're saying "As a teacher, parents trusted Mr. McKeown to impart knowledge to their children. Instead, he spent parts of the school day sending and receiving child sex abuse material and providing other pedophiles with UBIC Academy students' personal information. "What he did is beyond betrayal—it's devastating and sick. Our Office of Statewide Prosecution will aggressively pursue justice for these children and their parents," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "This arrest is deeply disturbing," said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass in a statement.. "Not only was this individual trafficking in vile material but he was doing it on school grounds, during school hours surrounded by children. At FDLE, we will never allow predators to hide behind screens or school walls. We will track them down, expose them and bring them to justice." What you can do Law enforcement said additional charges are possible and that the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who thinks they may be a victim is asked to contact the Holly Hill Police Department's Victim Advocate Coordinator. The Source Both the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Attorney General's Office announced the arrest on Thursday, June 20. The information comes from the news releases shared by both agencies.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Amber Alert issued for missing Florida boy
The Brief An Amber Alert was issued for a missing Miami boy. He may be in the company of Ismari Figueroa Leon. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately. MIAMI, Fla. - An Amber Alert for a missing 6-year-old Miami boy. Law enforcement officials are searching for Ryan Figueroa who was last seen in the area of the 1300 block of Southwest 1st Street in Miami. He was last seen wearing a white Polo shirt and black joggers. Officials say he may be in the company of Ismari Figueroa Leon, who was last seen wearing a black jumper. She also has multiple tattoos. The pair may be traveling in a 2012 black Chevy Equinox with Florida tag number RUZG29. What you can do Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately. Tips can also be reported to FDLE at 1-888-356-4774 (1-888-FL-MISSING) or your local law enforcement agency. The Source This story was written with information provided by the FDLE. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Purple Alert issued for missing Florida woman. Here's what it means and how you can help
A purple alert was issued Tuesday, June 10, for a missing Florida woman. Cynthia Padgett was last seen in Glen St. Mary and may be traveling in the Ocala area, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Missing and Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. If spotted, officials said not to approach her but to contact law enforcement immediately. Here's what you should know. A Purple Alert was issued June 10 for missing Florida woman Cynthia Padgett. Padgett, 57, was last seen in the 17600 block of North Tommie Road in Glen St. Mary, according to the FDLE. She was wearing a gray shirt and red-and-black checkered pajama pants. She may be wearing glasses. Padgett may be traveling in a 2013, white Ford Fiesta with a Florida tag IFTP94. The FDLE said Padgett may be traveling in the Ocala area. "If located, DO NOT APPROACH. Contact law enforcement immediately," the FDLE said. Glen St. Mary is located about 25 miles west of Jacksonville. Ocala is about 70 miles south of Glen St. Mary. The Florida Purple Alert is used to assist in the location of missing adults suffering from a mental or cognitive disability that is not Alzheimer's disease or a dementia-related disorder. Their disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or seriously bodily harm. Purple Alerts engage the public in the search for the missing person and provide a standardized and coordinated community response. As of June 11, there were 10 active Purple Alerts on the FDLE's website. The oldest is a man, Herbert McKinnon, missing from Orlando since June 2022. Click on the link for more details on each of the active Purple Alerts. Sign up to receive Florida Purple Alerts directly in your email. You can be notified as soon as an alert is issued to help with the safe recovery of a missing adult. The alert flyer will be sent directly to your home computer, smart phone or other email capable device. Florida's Purple Alert Plan was established by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 1, 2021, with an effective date of July 1, 2022. The person is 18 years of age or older and does not qualify for a state level Silver Alert. An investigation has determined the missing person: Has any combination of the following: an intellectual or developmental disability, brain injury; or another physical, mental, or emotional disability that is not related to substance abuse and Does not have Alzheimer's disease or a dementia related disorder. Has your law-enforcement agency's investigation concluded the disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to the missing person and they can only be returned to safety through law-enforcement intervention? Is there a detailed description of the missing person suitable for distribution? Has your agency entered the missing person into the Florida Crime Information Center? Does the law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction recommend activation? If you have a loved one missing you should contact your local law-enforcement agency immediately. The law-enforcement agency will take a report and determine whether a Purple Alert is appropriate. If the agency determines that the case meets the criteria for a Purple Alert, they will contact the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. Only law enforcement can request a Purple Alert. Contact the local law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction where the missing person was last seen. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida Purple Alert issued: Cynthia Padgett missing from Glen St. Mary
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Titusville police officers shooting of armed man was justified, state attorney says
The Brief A February police shooting in Titusville that killed 25-year-old Trimarea Charles was ruled justified by the State Attorney. Officers shot Charles after he rearmed himself with a modified pistol during a violent confrontation, investigators said. Tensions flared at a city council meeting as Charles' mother demanded answers and was escorted out. TITUSVILLE, Fla. - A police shooting that left a 25-year-old man dead in February was a lawful use of force, State Attorney William Scheiner concluded in a letter released Tuesday. What we know The fatal shooting of 25-year-old Trimarea R. Charles by Titusville police officers was ruled a lawful use of force by State Attorney William Scheiner on June 10. Charles was shot Feb. 7 after a confrontation with officers outside a known trouble property on South Robbins Avenue. He had armed himself with a modified Glock pistol after an initial scuffle with Officer Xzevies Baez and was running toward another officer and a nearby home when police opened fire. Video evidence, including body and dash cameras, showed Charles swinging at an officer, ignoring commands, and arming himself with a modified Glock pistol capable of automatic fire, prosecutors said. The weapon was later found to be linked to other shootings in different jurisdictions, according to authorities. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) took over the investigation, and the findings were forwarded to the State Attorney's Office. At a recent Titusville City Council meeting, many expressed frustrations over the length of time the investigation had taken. Among those were city leaders and Samantha Charles, the mother of Trimarea Charles. Charles was removed from that council meeting after demanding answers. The backstory Police had responded to repeated reports of gunfire and criminal activity at the Robbins Avenue residence in the days leading up to the shooting. The home was under a trespass order authorized by the property owner. Charles had been spotted on the property before fleeing from officers, dropping a gun, then turning back to retrieve it—a decision that investigators said triggered the use of deadly force. What we don't know It's unknown whether any internal disciplinary reviews or policy changes will follow. What they're saying In the June 10 decision, Scheiner said Titusville Police Officers Xzevies Baez and Zachary Blougouras were legally justified in using deadly force against Trimarea R. Charles on Feb. 7, citing Florida statutes and a U.S. Supreme Court standard that allows deadly force to prevent imminent harm or a forcible felony. "I have determined that the use of force by Officer Xzevies Baez and Corporal Zachary Blougouras was lawful and justified under the provisions of Chapter 776, Florida Statutes," said State Attorney William Scheiner. In a letter to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Scheiner quoted Florida Satute 776.012(2), which reads, "A person is justified in using or threatening to use deadly force if he or she reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony." Scheiner also wrote that the United States Supreme Court in Barnes v Felix provides guidance and states, "[T]he 'totality of the circumstances' inquiry into whether a use of force by a law enforcement officer was reasonable has no time limit; the history of the interaction, as well as other past circumstances known to the officer, may inform the reasonableness of the use of force." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Titusville Police Department, the Office of State Attorney William Scheiner, and from previous reporting by FOX 35 News.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Purple Alert issued for missing Florida woman. Here's what it means and how you can help
A purple alert was issued Tuesday, June 10, for a missing Florida woman. Cynthia Padgett was last seen in Glen St. Mary and may be traveling in the Ocala area, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Missing and Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. If spotted, officials said not to approach her but to contact law enforcement immediately. Here's what you should know. A Purple Alert was issued June 10 for missing Florida woman Cynthia Padgett. Padgett, 57, was last seen in the 17600 block of North Tommie Road in Glen St. Mary, according to the FDLE. She was wearing a gray shirt and red-and-black checkered pajama pants. She may be wearing glasses. Padgett may be traveling in a 2013, white Ford Fiesta with a Florida tag IFTP94. The FDLE said Padgett may be traveling in the Ocala area. "If located, DO NOT APPROACH. Contact law enforcement immediately," the FDLE said. Glen St. Mary is located about 25 miles west of Jacksonville. Ocala is about 70 miles south of Glen St. Mary. The Florida Purple Alert is used to assist in the location of missing adults suffering from a mental or cognitive disability that is not Alzheimer's disease or a dementia-related disorder. Their disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or seriously bodily harm. Purple Alerts engage the public in the search for the missing person and provide a standardized and coordinated community response. As of June 11, there were 10 active Purple Alerts on the FDLE's website. The oldest is a man, Herbert McKinnon, missing from Orlando since June 2022. Click on the link for more details on each of the active Purple Alerts. Sign up to receive Florida Purple Alerts directly in your email. You can be notified as soon as an alert is issued to help with the safe recovery of a missing adult. The alert flyer will be sent directly to your home computer, smart phone or other email capable device. Florida's Purple Alert Plan was established by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 1, 2021, with an effective date of July 1, 2022. The person is 18 years of age or older and does not qualify for a state level Silver Alert. An investigation has determined the missing person: Has any combination of the following: an intellectual or developmental disability, brain injury; or another physical, mental, or emotional disability that is not related to substance abuse and Does not have Alzheimer's disease or a dementia related disorder. Has your law-enforcement agency's investigation concluded the disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to the missing person and they can only be returned to safety through law-enforcement intervention? Is there a detailed description of the missing person suitable for distribution? Has your agency entered the missing person into the Florida Crime Information Center? Does the law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction recommend activation? If you have a loved one missing you should contact your local law-enforcement agency immediately. The law-enforcement agency will take a report and determine whether a Purple Alert is appropriate. If the agency determines that the case meets the criteria for a Purple Alert, they will contact the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. Only law enforcement can request a Purple Alert. Contact the local law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction where the missing person was last seen. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida Purple Alert issued: Cynthia Padgett missing from Glen St. Mary
