'Monster' learns his fate for killing 2-year-old girl; officials say he 'completely severed' toddler's spine



A Florida man learned his fate for the murder of a 2-year-old girl in 2022 after the mother of the child left her daughter in his care.

On Wednesday, 27-year-old Travis Ray Thompson was found guilty of first-degree murder for the killing of Jacklyn Schwingel, according to a statement from the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.

'Life in prison is too good for this kind of evil.'

On May 3, 2022, a female toddler was rushed to the emergency room of AdventHealth Waterman, a hospital in Tavares. The child was in critical condition when she arrived.

Medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures on 2-year-old Jacklyn, but the young girl was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Hospital officials notified the Marion County Sheriff’s Office of a possible case of child abuse.

A detective with the sheriff's office questioned the mother of the deceased child, who told the detective that she had left her daughter in the care of Thompson earlier that morning so she could go to work.

The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office noted that Thompson called the mother approximately 25 minutes after she left to inform her that Jacklyn was unresponsive.

Thompson told investigators that the girl was in another room when he heard a loud noise. Thompson claimed he found the child unresponsive.

"Instead of calling 911, Thompson waited for 30 minutes for the victim’s mother to arrive and only then began driving to the hospital," the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office stated.

The mother noted that her daughter was lifeless and had a shallow pulse and a distended abdomen.

"While en route to the hospital, the victim’s mother directed Thompson to call 911 when she realized the victim had stopped breathing altogether," the attorney's office said.

Emergency medical services personnel met Thompson and the mother at a nearby business to bring the toddler to the hospital for medical treatment.

RELATED: 21-year-old mother sentenced to life in prison for 'heinous' killing of daughter by repeatedly slamming newborn on concrete

allanswart via iStock / Getty Images Plus

According to officials, the little girl suffered abhorrent physical abuse at the hands of Thompson. Officials added that Thompson claimed he did not know how the victim became injured despite being the only person left with the victim.

On Sept. 1, 2022, the medical examiner's office determined that Jacklyn's cause of death was traumatic injuries to her torso with a severing of her spine and internal bleeding.

"Based on the severity and nature of the break, it was determined that Thompson applied significant, gradual force to the victim’s upper and lower body and bent her backward beyond her natural range of motion until her back broke," the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office said.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said in a statement, "Thompson physically abused the toddler while she was in his care, which resulted in her spine being completely severed."

Thompson was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail on Sept. 8, 2022.

RELATED: 'Haunt me the rest of my life': Father reportedly kills family and himself in murder-suicide on same day as son's graduation

Image source: Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

After jurors deliberated for two hours Wednesday and delivered a guilty verdict, Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky sentenced Thompson to life in prison for Jacklyn's murder.

"This monster stole the life of an innocent child, and today, the justice system made sure he will never walk free again," said Bill Gladson, state attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. "Life in prison is too good for this kind of evil."

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods added, "I'm incredibly proud of my major crimes detectives for their relentless work on this heartbreaking case. Their dedication helped secure justice for an innocent child."

"I also want to thank State Attorney Bill Gladson and his team for delivering a guilty verdict," Woods continued. "In Marion County, we protect our children — and we hold those who harm them accountable."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Deputies shoot growling Florida man dead after 'bizarre' standoff — and just moments after he survived alligator attack: Cops



Soon after a Florida man survived an alligator attack on Monday, Polk County Sheriff's deputies fatally shot him when he emerged from a lake and charged at deputies with garden shears, officials said.

Just before 6 a.m., a clerk at a convenience store in Lakeland told police that a man was acting "bizarre," according to WTVT-TV.

'The fact that he was bitten by an alligator significantly and still continued his rampage is shocking.'

The man fled the scene before deputies could question him, the station said.

Around 7:43 a.m., police dispatchers received a tip that a man was swimming in a lake known to be infested with alligators, WTVT reported.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference Monday that an alligator bit the man's right arm.

RELATED: Police bodycam video shows Florida man offering cops alcohol during car chase that ends with suspect getting tased

Image source: Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

"His conduct was outrageous. It was bizarre," Judd stated, according to WTVT. "This is crazy stuff. You know it's got to be true. You can't make it up."

Judd pointed out, "A witness actually took a life vest and tried to give it to him. He wouldn’t take it," NBC News said.

Another witness told police that the man was growling at them when they tried to assist him, WFLA-TV reported.

The suspect — identified as 42-year-old Timothy Schulz — walked out of the lake and grabbed a pair of garden shears, WFLA said, adding that the sheriff's office said Schulz used a brick to try to break into a vehicle.

Judd said Schulz charged at deputies with the garden shears, NBC News reported, after which the deputies ordered Schulz to drop the shears. Judd said deputies tased him twice after he didn't comply, WTVT noted.

Judd added that the suspect entered the passenger side of a running patrol vehicle and attempted to take a gun from its holder, WTVT reported.

"At that time, our deputies shot multiple times. As a result, Timothy is deceased," Judd explained, according to NBC News.

RELATED: Florida woman mauled to death in 'thrashing' alligator attack during canoe trip as husband tried to fight off massive beast

Image source: Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

Two deputies — a trainee and his trainer — fatally shot the suspect, WFLA reported.

The deputies have been placed on administrative leave while the state’s attorney’s office reviews the police shooting, NBC News said.

Sheriff Judd noted that Schulz has a long criminal history, including several arrests for methamphetamine charges, WFLA noted.

Schulz had just been released from county jail on May 20, NBC News said, adding that an arrest affidavit in that case indicates police discovered a glass pipe in a backpack Schulz was carrying that tested positive for meth.

“The fact that he was bitten by an alligator significantly and still continued his rampage is shocking, but if you’re on enough meth, the person you see is not the person that’s attacking,” Sheriff Judd said, according to WFLA.

A witness saw deputies pulling the man out of the patrol car and starting to give him CPR, WFLA added.

RELATED: Shotgun-riding raccoon found with meth pipe in its mouth during bizarre traffic stop arrest

Image source: Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

"I don’t know if this is a suicide by cop or a suicide by being absolutely out of your mind on methamphetamine, but he showed no fear of two deputies," Judd said, according to WFLA. "He showed no interest in complying. Even after he was tased, he still ran. And one of our witnesses said, 'I don’t know why the deputies waited so long before they shot him.'"

WFLA said Judd added, “When you’re on, you know, meth or whatever, crack cocaine, or whatever it might be, you’re sometimes out of your mind."

No deputies were injured, WTVT said.

You can watch a local newscast from WTVT regarding the strange case here.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Florida woman mauled to death in 'thrashing' alligator attack during canoe trip as husband tried to fight off massive beast



A Florida woman was attacked and killed by an alligator while sailing on a canoe on Tuesday afternoon, according to authorities.

A husband and wife were canoeing in a 14-foot boat in approximately two and a half feet of water at the mouth of Tiger Creek near Lake Kissimmee, Florida.

'Gator grabbed her out of the canoe. He tried to fight the gator off. We're at the last place he saw her.'

Suddenly, the canoe drifted over a large alligator.

Citing officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, ABC News reported, "The gator thrashed and tipped the canoe over, throwing both the husband and wife into the water."

The fish and wildlife officials said 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema of Polk County landed on top of the alligator. The husband reportedly attempted to stop the alligator attack but was unfortunately unsuccessful.

WKMG-TV obtained the radio transmission from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, which indicates that the victim's husband attempted in vain to fight off the massive animal.

"Gator grabbed her out of the canoe," a deputy can be heard saying in the audio. "He tried to fight the gator off. We're at the last place he saw her. He left the paddle here where he last saw her at."

The Polk County Sheriff's Office helicopter, PCSO deputies, marine units, and an alligator trapper were dispatched to the scene, the commission said.

Wildlife officials revealed on Tuesday that trappers had recovered an 11-foot-4-inch alligator matching the length description of the gator involved in the fatal attack. Trappers also recovered a second alligator, up to 11 feet in length.

Diekema's body has since been recovered.

The FWC launched a full investigation into the animal attack.

Roger Young — the executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — called Diekema's death a "devastating loss" during a press conference on Wednesday.

Young noted, "While alligator attacks resulting in fatalities are extremely rare, this tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the powerful wildlife that share our natural spaces."

Young said of the victim's friends and family, "Our heartfelt prayers go out to them. This is a devastating loss, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy."

This is the second alligator attack in the area since March. A woman suffered an alligator bite on her arm while kayaking on a canal between Tiger Lake and Kissimmee Lake.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission urges the public to "never feed an alligator and keep your distance if you see one. Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. And keep pets on a leash and away from the water."

You can watch a local WTSP-TV newscast on the fatal alligator attack here.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up!

'Absolute animal': Man, 70, who allegedly forced teen into sex slave contract charged with trying to hire hit man to kill her



A Florida man already accused of forcing a teen girl into signing a "sex slave" contract now faces additional charges alleging that he tried to hire a hit man to kill her before she could testify against him.

According to the TCPalm, the teen contacted law enforcement to report being sexually assaulted on Aug. 17, 2021.

'And then if the victim was ... no longer here, he essentially gets sentenced to nothing.'

Officers with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office arrested Andrew Mustapick 10 days later. He was charged with unlawful sex activity with certain minors.

The 17-year-old victim alleged that she was forced to sign a "sex slave" contract in exchange for gifts, including a car.

WPBF-TV reported that the victim told detectives that Mustapick wrote in the contract that the teenager "was to complete these sexual favors on Mondays and Fridays over the next five years."

According to WFLX-TV, Mustapick purchased a car for the victim's friend so the friend could drive the victim to his house.

Mustapick took back the 2017 Volkswagen after the girl did not “uphold her end of the contract,” according to Law & Crime. The vehicle had reportedly been registered in Mustapick's name.

The victim reportedly recorded her last encounter with Mustapick, which she provided to investigators.

In late March 2025, Mustapick signed a plea of no contest to one count of sexual activity with a minor — a second-degree felony.

However, the Indian River Sheriff’s Office reportedly received a tip before Mustapick made a plea deal that he was attempting to hire a hit man to kill the teen to prevent her from testifying against him.

Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said, "So, in March, we were notified of this. Thank you to the person who came forward. We're not identifying them at this time. But we would not be here today if it weren't for that person that came forward and let us know about this."

According to police, Mustapick met with an undercover detective posing as a hit man for hire on May 1, 2025.

Mustapick allegedly told the undercover cop that he would offer $40,000 to convince the victim to refuse to testify and then offered another $50,000 to have her killed if she still decided to testify.

Flowers added, "His plan was to withdraw the plea deal. And then if the victim was ... no longer here, he essentially gets sentenced to nothing."

Police said Mustapick also was captured on video attempting to dispose of electronic devices, including a laptop and hard drive, by throwing them into the St. Sebastian River. The St. Lucie County Dive Team reportedly recovered the laptop and hard drive as evidence.

Authorities accused Mustapick of attempting to seek services to "use intimidation or physical force, or threaten" in order to prevent the victim from testifying or ensure the victim's absence from a criminal proceeding.

Mustapick was detained at the Indian River County Jail on a $7 million bond.

"This guy is an absolute animal," Sheriff Flowers said during a press conference. "Over eight months he’s going to spend in prison, he’s willing to have somebody bumped off."

Mustapick is scheduled to appear in court on June 6.

You can watch the police bodycam video of Mustapick speaking to an undercover cop here.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up!

Police bodycam video shows Florida man offering cops alcohol during car chase that ends with suspect getting tased



Police bodycam video shows a Florida man offering cops alcohol during a miles-long car chase that ends with the suspect being tasered and charged with DUI, according to law enforcement officials.

Around 3 p.m. Saturday, employees at the Spring Lake Market reported that a man had stolen several items, including alcoholic beverages. Police later identified the suspect as 39-year-old Richard Christopher Smith of Miami.

'You guys had fun, though, right?'

Deputies with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office arrived at the crime scene to reportedly find a man driving a black minivan in circles around the store. However, the suspect sped off when police arrived.

The sheriff's office released bodycam video showing a man slowly driving a black minivan near a police officer.

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office noted that Smith was holding a can of Ketel One vodka spritz out the window of the minivan as he drove by a deputy attempting to pull him over.

Smith is heard in the bodycam footage telling the officer, "I was just going to give you a drink, that’s it."

The sheriff’s office said in a statement, "We don’t know if he was expecting us to just say 'Cheers!' and let him go, or what."

"After his toast, Smith attempted to ram two patrol vehicles in the midst of getting all four tires flattened by spike strips," police stated.

The police bodycam footage shows the spike strips deflating the tires and hindering the vehicle from driving at a high rate of speed.

The police pursuit reportedly ended several miles away in the parking lot of a business at the Sebring Airport.

Bodycam video shows the minivan stopped and its front smashed by an unmarked police SUV.

As Smith exits the minivan, officers have their guns drawn and order the suspect to get on the ground. The suspect does not adhere to the commands and casually walks around as he smokes a cigarette.

As the shoeless Smith continues to advance toward a deputy, the officer tases the suspect, who violently falls headfirst on the pavement.

Smith is seen on police bodycam video asking what he's being arrested for, after which the deputy responds, "A lot of stupid s**t, right now."

The bodycam footage shows blood pouring from Smith's head as he asks the arresting officers, "You guys had fun, though, right?" The officers do not appear to be entertained by the suspect's query.

The sheriff’s office remarked in regard to the incident, "Strange things happen all the time when you’re in law enforcement. This one, however, might make the books."

"We would be very interested to hear from anyone else who has been offered a vodka spritzer by their suspect in the middle of a vehicle pursuit," police added. "Or that the same suspect calmly tried to walk away from a crash, puffing on a cigarette, despite being surrounded by deputies."

According to jail records, Smith faces a litany of charges, including battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, refusal to submit to a DUI test, and petty theft.

Smith's bond was set at $120,000.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Florida sex offender doesn't get job interview at door store, so he reportedly lashes out by flinging bottles of urine



A Florida man who is a registered sex offender flung bottles of urine into a local door store after he was denied a job interview, according to court documents.

John Connaughton, 51, was arrested Friday and charged with felony battery, criminal mischief, and two counts of aggravated assault, according to court records.

He caused more than $1,000 in damage 'to various building materials' by 'splattering [them] with urine,' according to the affidavit.

Connaughton allegedly asked for a job interview at the Doors, Molding and More store in St. Petersburg. However, store employees reportedly denied Connaughton an interview, after which he allegedly embarked upon a strange attack.

An arrest affidavit People magazine obtained says Connaughton "threw urine in multiple bottles into the front door" of the local business.

Urine splattered on the bare legs of an employee, WFLA-TV reported, citing the arrest affidavit.

He caused more than $1,000 in damage "to various building materials" by "splattering [them] with urine," according to the affidavit.

Connaughton reportedly fled the Doors, Molding and More store, but two men chased after him. Once one of the men confronted him, Connaughton raised his skateboard over his head as if he were going to hit the man with it, according to the affidavit.

Shortly after the confrontation, officers with the St. Petersburg Police Department arrested Connaughton and booked him into the Pinellas County Jail.

Connaughton is reportedly being held on a $22,500 bond — $10,000 for each count of aggravated assault, $2,000 for felony battery, and $500 for criminal mischief.

A public defender purportedly is representing Connaughton, who reportedly has not yet entered a plea to any of the charges.

No hearing has been scheduled as yet, either.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement sexual predator database, Connaughton is a registered sex offender.

Records show Connaughton was arrested in October 2004 for lewd or lascivious exhibition of a victim under the age of 16 years old.

Records also show Connaughton was arrested twice for failure to comply with the registration of a sex offender, in May 2016 and May 2019.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Florida couple accused of stuffing billiard ball in tortured teen mom's mouth, suffocating her, ditching her dismembered body



A Florida couple allegedly kidnapped, tortured, and murdered a teen mom, according to authorities.

Miranda Corsette — a 16-year-old mother to an 11-month-old baby — allegedly met 35-year-old Steven Gress on a dating app, then went to his St. Petersburg residence on Valentine's Day.

Gress and Brandes 'held the victim against her will for more than seven days and tortured her by repeatedly beating the victim and eventually stuffing a billiard ball into her mouth and wrapping her face with plastic wrap, causing her to suffocate.'

Corsette is said to have returned to her grandmother's home in Gulfport the next day — but soon after that day went back to Gress' house. Police said Corsette remained there for days with Gress and his domestic partner, 37-year-old Michelle Brandes.

Corsette's grandmother on Feb. 24 reported her missing to the Gulfport Police Department. Corsette was homeschooled and lived with her grandmother because Corsette's parents are deceased, St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway stated during a press conference.

"We are very familiar with Miranda," said Commander Mary Farrand, who is also Gulfport's acting police chief. "She is a frequent runaway, and she has a history of mental health issues as well as drug abuse. The grandmother is her primary caregiver at this time."

Farrand explained that the grandmother — who didn't report Corsette missing for several days — said her granddaughter "normally comes home," and the grandmother said "she doesn’t report her missing every time she leaves. She just didn’t come back in a timely manner this time."

On March 6, a witness contacted police with a tip about a possible kidnapping and murder of a missing teen, and detectives determined Corsette was the missing teen referred to in the tip.

On Feb. 20, Brandes and Gress accused the teen mother of stealing a ring, according to the arrest affidavit.

Chief Holloway said the couple beat and tortured Corsette because they couldn't find the ring.

The Tampa Bay Times, citing the affidavit, reported that Gress and Brandes "held the victim against her will for more than seven days and tortured her by repeatedly beating the victim and eventually stuffing a billiard ball into her mouth and wrapping her face with plastic wrap, causing her to suffocate."

The St. Petersburg Police Department said of Corsette in a statement, "Sometime between February 20th and February 24th, she was killed."

Police said Gress put Corsette’s body in his car and drove to a home in nearby Largo; detectives found evidence that Corsette was dismembered there.

Chief Holloway said Brandes' mother owns the Largo home .

Police said Gress and Brandes drove about 50 miles to ditch the body in a dumpster in Ruskin.

Detectives located the dumpster but have yet to find the teen girl's remains. On Friday, police said they believe her remains likely are in a landfill.

Gress already was in jail for unrelated charges when the accusations about Corsette came to light.

On March 6, Gress was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and possession of methamphetamine and marijuana, records show. Police said Gress pointed a harpoon at Brandes.

In the missing teen case, Gress was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Gress was being held at the Pinellas County Jail without bail.

An assistant public defender has been appointed to represent him and has entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf, according to court records.

Brandes turned herself in to police Saturday morning. She is charged with first-degree murder in connection with Corsette's death.

The St. Petersburg Police Department noted, "This is still a very active investigation, and more charges are expected."

Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Florida man accused of stabbing pro-Trump friend to death with trowel found not guilty of murder



A Florida man accused of stabbing his pro-Trump friend to death with a trowel at a construction site has been found not guilty of murder.

During a non-jury trial at an Orange County court last month, 34-year-old Mason Trever Toney was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity, according to WKMG-TV.

'There was something wrong with Mason.'

As Blaze News reported in January 2020, Toney was arrested for the murder of his friend and his boss — 28-year-old William Knight.

Citing the arrest warrant, WESH-TV reported that police officers arrived at the crime scene to find Knight’s body next to an excavator with an American flag nearby.

Witnesses told investigators that Knight is a “proud and outspoken American,” who was “pro-Donald Trump.”

Toney was reportedly described by witnesses as having anti-government sentiments and believed “the government is bad and out to get him.”

According to court documents, witnesses said Knight picked up Toney to drive him to another construction site when an argument about politics, including Knight’s support for President Donald Trump, erupted.

The argument allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation. Witnesses purportedly attempted to stop the attack and threw things at Toney.

Toney is accused of stabbing Knight to death with a construction trowel. Toney reportedly jumped into a truck and drove away while calling the witnesses “terrorists.”

Knight succumbed to his injuries at the crime scene on Jan. 20, 2020.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office noted that Toney was apprehended in Brevard County on the same day in the truck and charged with murder.

Williams Knight Sr. — the victim's father — told WKMG-TV in 2020, "The gentleman, Mason, he was a friend of the family for years."

The father said his son had recently been promoted to a construction site foreman before his death, and he hired Mason. The deeply distraught mother said she warned her son not to hire his childhood friend because he had been acting strangely.

Julia Knight — the victim's mother — said of a possible motive for her son's death, "I don't know. I can't explain what happened to my son. I don't understand. I never thought Mason would do this to my son."

Julie Knight added, "But it wasn't about politics, I can tell you right now."

"There was something wrong with Mason," she said.

A review hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Disturbing video shows apparent road-rage shooting at busy Florida intersection; male suspect faces murder charges



A Florida male and female have been arrested in connection with an apparent road-rage shooting in the middle of a busy intersection that left one dead and another in critical condition. The shooting was caught on video.

Around 4:17 p.m. Sunday, police dispatchers began receiving calls regarding a shooting at a busy intersection in Panama City.

Officers near the shooting began chasing the fleeing pickup truck.

An Instagram account titled "Bay County Bad Drivers" uploaded video of the shooting.

Video shows a red GMC Terrain SUV stopped at a red light with a gray Dodge Ram pickup truck directly behind it. Two males are seen standing outside the SUV before returning inside the vehicle.

When the light turns green, the trailing pickup truck aggressively accelerates to the left and whips next to the driver's side of the SUV. It appears that the pickup truck passenger's hand emerges from the truck's open window, and about a dozen gunshots are heard. The SUV comes to a stop in the middle of the intersection.

Police said the pickup truck attempted to flee the crime scene. Officers near the shooting began chasing the fleeing pickup truck.

Panama City Police said in a press release: "They pursued the suspect vehicle north on Hwy 231, while other officers responded to the scene."

WMBB-TV reported that during the chase, the pickup truck collided with a police car on an access road between a Mexican restaurant and a Holiday Inn.

Police arrested two suspects from the pickup truck roughly a mile from the shooting scene.

Panama City Police said two people in the red SUV were shot. One victim died soon after arriving at a local hospital. The other shooting victim was in critical condition.

The shooting victims' identities have yet to be released because the incident is an active homicide investigation, and next of kin are being notified.

Police arrested Jubal Simmons and Ivybella Encino, the New York Post said.

Simmons — the suspected shooter, the Post said — is facing a number of charges, including first-degree premeditated homicide-murder, three counts of first-degree attempted premeditated homicide-murder, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, destroying or altering evidence, and resisting an officer without violence, according to police records.

Encino was hit with charges of first-degree accessory to a crime, fleeing or eluding police, and aggravated assault on an officer, records also say.

Simmons is being held without bond. Encino is being held on a $850,500 bond.

Panama City Police said they are "grateful to all the witnesses who came forward with information and evidence in this case."

The PCPD urged anyone with additional information on the shooting to contact Panama City Police at 850-872-3100 or phone in a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS (8477).

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Florida Democratic Party official possessed child porn, tried to set up date to sexually assault 9-year-old boy: Feds



A Florida Democratic Party official possessed child pornography, sent the illicit content to an undercover cop, and attempted to set up a date to sexually assault a 9-year-old boy, according to federal prosecutors.

Matthew Inman, of Orlando, was arrested by U.S. Marshalls and charged with transportation of child sex abuse material. If convicted, Inman faces a minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.

'We offer our condolences to any victims of child sexual abuse and hope justice will be served to the fullest extent of the law.'

He is currently being held in the Seminole County jail with no bond.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, "Inman received and saved several videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to his phone. These videos depicted adults sexually assaulting young children."

In October 2024, Inman traveled to Las Vegas and began talking online with the alleged father of a 9-year-old boy. However, authorities said the supposed father was actually an undercover cop cracking down on pedophiles.

The feds say Inman shared child porn with the undercover cop.

According to an affidavit, Inman used an app called Sniffies — a self-described "modern, map-based meetup app for gay, bi, and curious cruisers."

Inman's alleged Sniffies account name, @Daddy4b, reportedly sent an undercover police agent child porn depicting adult men raping prepubescent children.

The @Daddy4b account reportedly told the undercover cop of the age of his sexual partners, "Mostly have f***ed teens since that is what you can more easily find."

The @Daddy4b account's profile section said the user is "looking for" a "twink, trans, son."

Federal prosecutors also accused Inman of expressing interest in meeting and sexually assaulting the 9-year-old boy.

The FBI obtained a search warrant for Inman’s electronic devices and home. During the execution of the search warrant, Inman reportedly hid in the attic of his house and attempted to delete the damning evidence from his phone.

The case is being prosecuted by assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan.

Inman served as Orange County’s Democratic Party treasurer and the president of Rainbow Democrats — a nonprofit with a mission to “foster goodwill between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and allied members of the Democratic Party and the community at large."

The Orange County Democratic Party said in a statement that members were “appalled” by the allegations and have suspended him.

“We are deeply appalled and horrified by the news that Matthew Inman has been arrested on charges of sexual abuse involving a minor,” the Democratic group said. “We unequivocally condemn child sexual abuse in the strongest possible terms and hope that any victims involved receive the support and resources they need moving forward.”

The Rainbow Democrats said they were “shocked” to hear the accusations against their former president.

“We offer our condolences to any victims of child sexual abuse and hope justice will be served to the fullest extent of the law,” the group said in a statement.

"He has no acting role in any capacity with the organization as of now," the group added.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!