TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured the sentencing of two members of the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan for conspiracy to commit first degree murder. The Honorable Wesley R. Douglas sentenced David Elliot Moran, 49, and Charles Thomas Newcomb, 45, both to 12 years in prison for plotting to kill a former inmate.
“Florida is a safer state with these Klansmen behind bars,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Hate groups have no place in a civilized society and when members of these organizations plot violence and murder—we will be there to ensure justice is served and our citizens are protected.”
“The members of the North Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (NFJTTF) combined their exceptional talent, skills and knowledge to work as a cohesive team and successfully disrupt this conspiracy,” said Charles P. Spencer, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “This case would not have been possible without the collaboration of our partnering law enforcement agencies, and we thank them for their dedication to this case.”
“These sentencings mark the conclusion of a successful investigation that stopped a plot to murder a man,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “This case is a classic example of local, state and federal law enforcement partners working together to make our communities safer.”
The two men were arrested in 2015 along with defendant Thomas Jordan Driver, 27, following an investigation by members of the North Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigation, with assistance from additional federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Newcomb, Moran and Driver enlisted an FBI informant to kill a former inmate as retaliation for a fight between the former inmate and Driver. At the time of the murder conspiracy, Driver and Moran worked for the Florida Department of Corrections correctional officers, and Newcomb was a former correctional officer.
In March 2017, Driver pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder and was sentenced to four years in prison.
Attorney General Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution prosecuted these cases. Members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force that participated in the investigation include the Federal Bureau of Investigation Jacksonville Division, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, , Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Featured
PSC Hearing on Retiring St. Johns River Power Park Scheduled for Monday
TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will conduct a hearing Monday, September 25, 2017, on Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) petition for approval to shut down the St. Johns River Power Park (SJRPP) at the end of this year. The plant’s retirement is expected to provide environmental benefits and save FPL customers millions of dollars.
FPL and the Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers, filed a settlement agreement for resolving all issues in the case. The PSC may consider the settlement agreement during the hearing.
SJRPP is a coal-fired power plant jointly owned by FPL and JEA, the municipally-owned electric provider for the City of Jacksonville.
The hearing is scheduled for the following time and location:
Monday September 25, 2017
1:30 p.m.
Betty Easley Conference Center
Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)
4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
FMPA Board Names Jody Finklea as FMPA General Counsel
FMPA Board Names Jody Finklea as FMPA General Counsel
Finklea to advise statewide power agency and local municipals on electric utility issues
ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Municipal Power Agency’s (FMPA) Board of Directors selected Jody Lamar Finklea as its next General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, replacing Fred Bryant, who announced his plans last month to retire.
“FMPA is fortunate to have someone with Jody’s knowledge and expertise,” said Bill Conrad, FMPA’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Jody has a deep understanding of Florida law and its application to utilities and cities. He knows FMPA’s business in depth, making this transition seamless.”
Finklea joined FMPA in 2001 and has held several positions during his tenure. Most recently, he served as Deputy General Counsel and Manager of Legal Affairs.
As FMPA’s General Counsel, Finklea will continue to represent the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), as requested by FMEA and its Board of Directors, on utility issues that could impact members of both organizations. Most of FMPA’s members are also members of FMEA, so this partnership provides value to both organizations.
Finklea holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Florida and a juris doctor degree from The Florida State University College of Law. He is admitted to The Florida Bar and is board certified as an expert in city, county and local government law.
Finklea is active in the American Public Power Association (APPA) and serves as the 2017 Chairman of APPA’s Legal Section. In 2011, Finklea was recognized by APPA as a Rising Star in Public Power. He holds a rating of AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell peer review attorney ratings.
Traffic shifts slated for U.S. 27 in Clermont
Lake County – During the week of Sept. 25, northbound and southbound traffic will be moved to the newly built northbound lanes on U.S. 27 (State Road 25) between Boggy Marsh and Lake Louisa roads. The nighttime traffic shifts will occur on two separate days.
Once traffic is completely shifted to the new pavement, the contractor, Ranger Construction Industries, will begin building the new southbound lanes.
The work is part of a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project to widen U.S. 27 from a four-lane rural street to a six-lane suburban highway from Boggy Marsh Road to 1,000 feet north of Lake Louisa Road.
Please note the work schedule may change due to weather or other unexpected conditions. Project updates will be posted to the FDOT’s Central Florida website, www.cflroads.com.
For media-related questions, please contact the Public Information Office at 386-943-5497 or [email protected].
The FDOT urges all motorists to use caution near any road construction. Please slow down and stay alert when driving through work zones.
Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Efforts
Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Efforts
Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce announces efforts to raise funds for Puerto Rico
STATEWIDE – The Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce today launched efforts to provide immediate relief to Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria recovery through a charitable initiative called “Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief.”
“Our hearts go out to Puerto Rico as they face the catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Maria. The island’s entire 3.5 million population is without power, and many residents need immediate medical relief,” said Julio Fuentes, President and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “It is important we do our part to help alleviate their pain and assist our fellow Americans as they recover and rebuild. Please visit www.prgives.org and make any monetary donation to help Puerto Rico.”
With a goal of raising $250,000 in disaster relief funds, donations will be directed toward emergency supplies such as bottled water, canned goods, dried foods, medication, pillows and blankets, shovels and hammers, and other necessary items. If you live in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville or West Palm Beach and would like to drop off supplies please contact[email protected] for more information.
To make a donation, please visit www.prgives.org.
DCF TO INITIATE DISASTER SNAP FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN 48 COUNTIES
DCF TO INITIATE DISASTER SNAP FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN 48 COUNTIES
~Food for Florida sites will assist individuals and families recovering from Hurricane Irma~
TALLAHASSEE – The Department of Children and Families (DCF), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will implement the Food for Florida Disaster Food Assistance Program in 48 counties to assist victims of Hurricane Irma. Details on local Food for Florida sites will be posted on the Food for Florida website as they become available.
“We are working around the clock to provide relief to those affected by Hurricane Irma damage,” said DCF Secretary Mike Carroll. “We will continue to stand side-by-side with those who need us as they get back on their feet. We encourage those in need of food assistance to pre-register if possible through the website so we can quickly serve those in need.”
To qualify for the Food for Florida Disaster Food Assistance program, applicants must have lived or worked in one of the counties declared for FEMA Individual Assistance on September 5, and not be receiving food assistance through the regular Food Assistance Program. Additionally, eligible individuals and families must have suffered a disaster-related loss, such as damage to their homes or self-employment property, loss of food, reduction or loss of income, or have incurred other disaster related expenses. Applicants must also be financially eligible. DCF will provide or mail Electronic Benefits Transfer cards to eligible individuals and families to use at authorized USDA food retailers. The program counts only income and expenses from September 5 through October 4, 2017.
Food for Florida pre-registration will be available on the Food for Florida website and open for people in need of food assistance in eligible counties through October 30. Food for Florida sites in Pinellas, Bradford, Union, Alachua, Lake, Sumter, and Citrus counties will open next week. Individuals who lived or worked in these counties can pre-register beginning today at 2:00 p.m. Pre-registration for other eligible counties will be available prior to the local sites opening. Individuals, families, and authorized representatives that pre-register must still visit a Food for Florida site, listed on the Food for Florida website, to be interviewed. Individuals may also apply at the Food for Florida site locations without pre-registering. You must have a valid Florida Driver License or Florida Identification card.
Visit the Food for Florida website for more information on pre-registration, site locations, and hours of operation.
Public Information Meeting US 41 Roundabouts at 10th Street and 14th Street in Sarasota County
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is hosting a public information meeting on Tuesday, October 3rd from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bayfront Community Center located at 803 N. Tamiami Trail (US 41) in Sarasota. The public may arrive anytime between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Participants can view display boards of the design and speak with FDOT and project staff. An informative video of the project will be available for viewing throughout the meeting. Project staff will be present to answer questions.
Improvements being made as part of this project consist of reconstructing the signalized intersections and replacing them with roundabouts, enhancing connectivity, circulation and safety. US 41 will be widened between the two intersections and will include bike lanes as well as dedicated turn lanes, a 10-foot sidewalk along the west side, and a 6-foot sidewalk along the east side. Other improvements include raised islands for pedestrian refuge at the intersections of US 41 at 10th Street and 14th Street, pedestrian signals, LED street lights, landscaping and City of Sarasota utility and underground drainage structure replacements. In addition, bus facilities will be enhanced to include bus landing pads, bus shelters, bus benches, bike racks, and a new bus bay adjacent to Centennial Park. Expected completion is spring 2020. The contractor is IBT Construction LLC.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the American with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Jamie Schley, District One Title VI Coordinator at 800-292-3367 or by email at [email protected] at least seven (7) days prior to the public meeting.
GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT’S SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017
9:10am CALL WITH U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY BEN CARSON REGARDING HURRICANE IRMA RECOVERY
9:30am VISIT TO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SHELTER TO MEET WITH PUERTO RICO EVACUEES
Location: Florida International University – Parking Garage 6
Address: 11099 SW 10th Street
Miami, FL 33199
10:35-10:50am STAFF AND CALL TIME (VIA PHONE)
12:45pm MEETING WITH STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS REGARDING HURRICANE IRMA RECOVERY IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
Location: Marathon City Hall
Address: 9806 Overseas Highway
Marathon, FL 33050
*NOTE: The Governor will tour local impacts of Hurricane Irma following the meeting. Media can meet at the Marathon City Hall to follow the tour.
4:30-5:00pm STAFF AND CALL TIME (VIA PHONE)
LT. GOVERNOR CARLOS LOPEZ-CANTERA’S SCHEDULE
FOR
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017
9:30am STAFF AND CALL TIME
3:00-4:00pm STAFF AND CALL TIME
Gov. Scott Thanks Law Enforcement and First Responders in Seminole County
SANFORD, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott visited the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Professional Development Center to thank local law enforcement, emergency management officials and first responders for their commitment to Florida families before, during and after Hurricane Irma. The Governor also announced that Florida’s law enforcement officers and first responders will be able to enjoy license-free freshwater and saltwater fishing beginning today through June 30, 2018.
Since Hurricane Irma moved through the state, Governor Scott has visited communities in the Florida Keys, Southwest Florida and Northeast Florida to thank law enforcement and first responders and discuss recovery efforts with local leaders. See updated statewide Hurricane Irma response and recovery efforts HERE.
Gov. Scott Appoints Thomas Bryan to University of North Florida Board of Trustees
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Thomas Bryan to the University of North Florida Board of Trustees.
Bryan, 50, of Jacksonville, is a Partner at Terra Capital Holdings, Inc. He previously served as a trustee on the District Board of Trustees, Florida State College at Jacksonville. Bryan received his bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville University. He succeeds Joy Korman, and is appointed for a term beginning January 1, 2018, and ending January 1, 2023. This early appointment will ensure Bryan is fully acclimated and able to assist in the University of North Florida’s Presidential search and selection process early next spring.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
