Feds, local cops rescue over 100 kids in Florida, just in time for Thanksgiving



A multi-agency operation led to the recovery of over 100 children from Florida and several other states.

Operation Home for the Holidays was led by the U.S. Marshals Service and involved partnerships with the FBI’s Jacksonville Field Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and other federal, state, and local entities.

'Many of these kids have been victimized in unspeakable ways. We will prosecute their abusers to the fullest extent of the law.'

Jason Carley, the FBI field office’s special agent in charge, explained that the mission aimed to “find missing and potentially trafficked children.”

“In these types of operations, partnerships are essential,” he added.

The law enforcement operation, which ran over two weeks, resulted in the recovery of 122 children, FBI Jacksonville reported on Monday. The children were connected to care and services.

“Protecting our children is at the core of the FBI’s mission. This operation represents the very best of what can be accomplished when state, local and federal partners come together with a shared commitment,” FBI Jacksonville stated.

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Image source: FBI Jacksonville

Law enforcement agents rescued 57 children from Tampa, 14 from Orlando, 22 from Jacksonville, 29 from Fort Myers, and 13 from other states and internationally, according to the Florida Attorney General's Office.

"The children ranged in age from 23 months to 17 years old, and many had experienced various levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to other criminal activity," a statement from the AG's office read.

— (@)

Six individuals were reportedly arrested on felony charges, including child neglect, custodial interference, narcotics possession, sexual assault, terroristic threats, and endangerment.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier called the operation one of the nation’s largest child-recovery efforts.

“Many of these kids have been victimized in unspeakable ways. We will prosecute their abusers to the fullest extent of the law,” Uthmeier stated.

RELATED: Florida's historic sting rescues dozens of kids and arrests alleged predators in nation's 'largest' child rescue sweep

Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images

“What allows our Middle Florida-based child recovery initiatives to stand out is the emphasis placed on what happens after,” said William Berger, the U.S. marshal for the Middle District of Florida. “We know these children will have needs once we find them. It only makes sense to build these operations alongside like-minded partners from across the child welfare space.”

“The United States Marshals Service is proud to stand with our partners across the state of Florida in pursuit of the safety and welfare of our children,” Berger continued. “This operation was built based upon the wants and needs of our communities. We are honored to play a leading role in answering those calls. Welcome Home and Happy Holidays!”

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Florida man — 6'2'', 280 lbs — chokes cop after bailing on $50 pizza bill, police say. But fellow officer's fist intervenes.



Police in Orlando, Florida, said officers responded to a pizza restaurant after reports of disturbance around 10:45 p.m. Monday, WOFL-TV reported.

Employees of the Corner Pizza Bar on Magnolia Avenue said a customer refused to pay his $50.50 bill, the station noted.

'I was in fear that great bodily injury or death would occur.'

When the customer — later identified as Daniel Robinson, 22 — was asked to pay up, he allegedly shoved the female owner and departed the restaurant, WOFL noted.

Employees called 911, WFTV-TV reported, and investigators said a pair of Orlando police officers confronted Robinson across the street from the restaurant.

Robinson said he intended to pay his restaurant bill with his phone but that the device was dead, WFTV said, adding that police said his phone — on the contrary — was visibly lit.

As the officers attempted to arrest Robinson, one officer hollered, “He’s choking me," WFTV reported, adding that Robinson is about 6'2'' and weighs 280 pounds.

RELATED: Florida street takeover thug arrested, accused of being part of mob that stomped on, broke bystanders' windshields, set fire

The other officer at the scene noted in a police report that “I was in fear that great bodily injury or death would occur," WFTV said.

With that, the fellow officer said he punched Robinson in the face until the choking stopped, WFTV said, adding that police also maced Robinson.

Police said when medical personnel arrived, Robinson spat in an officer’s face amid an attempt to restrain him on a stretcher, WOFL reported.

Orange County Corrections Department records indicate Robinson was booked into jail Tuesday. He's facing multiple charges, including attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, WOFL said.

More from WFTV:

Court records show Robinson was also maced by officers last year after he allegedly stalked a woman. She said he started touching her on a bus as she went to work last November, then followed her off the bus. That’s when she called 911.

“I am upset and kind of in shock because that could have been me," last year's victim Mariah Gilbert told WFTV in an interview, adding that “now I have the opportunity to testify against him."

What's more, WFTV said records show Robinson last year also was arrested for battery upon a different woman and petit theft.

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WOFL said the Corner Pizza Bar issued the following statement: "Fortunately, the Orlando Police Department responded quickly and handled the situation promptly and professionally. We’re very grateful for their support. While we’re still processing the impact — since we never imagined something like this happening — we’ve decided not to speak further on the matter at this time."

The Orange County Corrections Department on Friday told Blaze News that Robinson's bond total is $17,650 and that his first court appearance was Wednesday.

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Florida street takeover thug arrested, accused of being part of mob that stomped on, broke bystanders' windshields, set fire



Florida authorities have arrested a 19-year-old male they accused of taking part in multiple street takeovers, including one last November in which a reported "mob" set a fire, harassed bystander motorists, and even stomped on and broke their windshields.

Florida Highway Patrol told Blaze News that Adam Benouttas of Kissimmee was arrested Thursday.

Benouttas was charged with coordinating or facilitating street takeover, filming / recording street takeover, stunt driving, obstructing traffic for street takeover, aggravated rioting, inciting a riot, and disorderly conduct.

Police said Benouttas was directly involved in the coordinated street takeover incident that took place Nov. 30 at the intersection of South John Young Parkway and Central Florida Parkway in Orlando.

Police said the event included the harassment of other drivers and bystanders and extensive property damage to multiple vehicles.

The incident was captured on cellphone video.

Benouttas was identified as one of the primary “sliders,” performing dangerous stunt-driving maneuvers, such as doughnuts, in the intersection during the event, police said.

The defendant's vehicleImage source: Florida Highway Patrol

Police said Benouttas was charged with:

  • Coordinating or facilitating street takeover
  • Filming / recording street takeover
  • Stunt driving
  • Obstructing traffic for street takeover
  • Aggravated rioting
  • Inciting a riot
  • Disorderly conduct

The defendant's propertyImage source: Florida Highway Patrol

According to WOFL-TV, approximately 30 individuals took part in the Nov. 30 street takeover — and a mother and her baby were in one of the damaged bystander cars.

The station said it's unclear if any other arrests have been made.

You can view WOFL's video report here on Benouttas' arrest.

Anything else?

Blaze News has reported extensively on street takeovers, which seem to have been occurring around the country with greater frequency over the last several years.

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Florida JetBlue flight diverted after unruly passenger claims to be the devil, punches female companion



A JetBlue flight traveling from Florida to Massachusetts was forced to divert its route and land early after an unruly passenger reportedly punched his female companion and claimed to be the devil.

JetBlue Flight 170 was traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Boston around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday. However, the plane was forced to divert its route and land in Orlando after a passenger allegedly started acting in a bizarre and violent way.

Passengers claimed that a man on the plane began making threats and telling people he was the devil. At one point, the male passenger reportedly punched the female companion that was traveling with him.

"I was in front of the plane so I heard no disturbance in the back, but we had one of the flight attendants tell the first few rows that there would be pit stop in Orlando, but they didn't want to make an announcement in case it angered the man," passenger Max Seelig told the news outlet out of Boston.

WCVB-TV reported, "One passenger who was sitting close to the man said flight attendants put the woman who was with the man in the plane's bathroom, and the man was punching the door to try to get her out."

A passenger said, "They put her inside the bathroom, and he tried to punch the door and take her out of the bathroom. It was pretty scary."

Video taken by passenger Leo Ruiz shows the unruly passenger being escorted off the flight by law enforcement after the JetBlue airliner had landed at Orlando International Airport.

After the alarming disturbance, the rest of the passengers had to disembark from the plane in Orlando. The passengers then had to wait for the plane to be refueled, stand by for a new crew to arrive, and then re-board the plane. The plane didn't land in Boston until 4:31 a.m. on Friday, according to the New York Post.

JetBlue allegedly sent an email to the passengers that read: "This disruption is considered an uncontrollable disruption; meaning it's due to events outside of JetBlue's control (things like Air Traffic Control or weather disruptions) and, unfortunately, does not qualify for customer compensation or reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses."

“The individual was intoxicated and transported to local hospital by [Orlando Fire Department] for treatment,” a department spokesperson told the New York Post.

The unruly passenger's name was not released by authorities, and he was reportedly not arrested.

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Boston-bound JetBlue flight from Florida diverted by passenger claiming to be devil www.youtube.com

Spirit Airlines places 6-year-old boy on wrong flight — and panic ensues: 'Where is my grandson?'



Spirit Airlines placed an unaccompanied 6-year-old boy on the wrong flight to Florida last week, which left the airline apologizing and the boy's grandmother frantic.

What are the details?

The child was supposed to fly from Philadelphia to Fort Myers on Thursday but was "incorrectly boarded" on a flight to Orlando, Scripps News said, citing reports.

"The child was always under the care and supervision of a Spirit Team Member, and as soon as we discovered the error, we took immediate steps to communicate with the family and reconnect them," the airline said in a statement CNN obtained, according to Scripps News.

The outlet said local news station WINK-TV spoke with Maria Ramos, who identified herself as the boy's grandmother: "They told me, 'No, he's not on this flight. He missed his flight.' I said, 'No, he could not miss his flight because I have the check-in tag.' I ran inside the plane to the flight attendant and I asked her, 'Where's my grandson? He was handed over to you at Philadelphia.' She said, 'No, I had no kids with me.'"

Not surprisingly, Ramos said it was one of the scariest moments of her life, Scripps News said.

Ramos added to the outlet that her grandson Casper called to say he landed. Problem was that Casper landed in Orlando — about 160 miles away from Fort Myers.

To add insult to injury, Good Morning America said Casper's luggage was placed on the correct flight and made it to Fort Myers.

Ramos added to the outlet that it was her grandson's first-ever flight.

After figuring things out, Ramos drove over three hours to get Casper, Scripps News said, adding that Spirit offered to reimburse her for the drive — but mainly Ramos wants answers.

"I want them to call me. Let me know how my grandson ended up in Orlando. How did that happen?" Ramos asked, according to the outlet. "The flight attendant ... did she let him go by himself? He jumped in the wrong plane by himself?"

Spirit said in its statement that it's investigating, Scripps News said: "We take the safety and responsibility of transporting all of our guests seriously and are conducting an internal investigation. We apologize to the family for this experience."

Family speaks out after 6-year-old placed on wrong flight youtu.be

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Ex-Disney employee admits to taking hundreds of up-skirt videos of park guests



Although keen to champion various sexual proclivities, Disney is evidently still willing to admit some boundaries.

The company has parted ways with a Disney Hollywood Studios employee in Orlando, Florida, who was arrested on March 31 after admitting to taping roughly 500 videos of park guests' nether regions without their knowledge, reported WOFL-TV.

Even on the day of his arrest, 26-year-old Jorge Diaz Vega of Kissimmee reportedly recorded several up-skirt videos while working at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Galaxy’s Edge, a Star Wars-themed area at the park.

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, a security guard caught Vega trying to capture footage up the skirt of an 18-year-old park guest. The victim had been in the Dok-Ondar store shopping for toy swords with her fiancé. The victim later told authorities that she had no idea she had been filmed at the Disney establishment.
Vega indicated he had similarly taped other guests over the course of his six-year stint working at Disney theme parks, noting, "It is hard to find them online" and the videos "bring him sexual gratification," reported WESH-TV.

"The videos were of multiple females who all appeared to not know they were being video recorded," said the arrest report.

Vega was hit with a third-degree felony charge of video voyeurism. He was released on $2,500 bail.

The OCSD indicated that Vega may face additional charges if more victims come forward.

When asked when Vega was terminated, Disney told CNN, "The individual does not work for the company."

Vega is not the only Disney employee to have a run-in with the law over alleged sexual improprieties in recent years.

TheBlaze previously reported that former Disney bellhop Guillermo Perez was among 160 people arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's Office Vice Unit during a seven-day undercover human trafficking operation. The PCSO said Perez "agreed to pay $80 for a quick visit to have sex with an undercover detective."

In 2021, two then-Disney World employees, Jonathan McGrew, 34, and Savannah Lawrence, 29, were arrested in a child-sex sting, reported NBC News.

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Second Easter Sunday shooting in Orlando leaves 2 dead, 3 more injured



A deadly shooting during an Easter egg hunt at an Orlando park left two people dead and three others injured Sunday, WESH reported.

"They weren’t doing anything to be shot. Just living life, and it’s unfortunate that this happened. But I’m confident the Orlando Police Department will find out who did this and arrest them soon," Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott reportedly said.

Scott, who was at the scene Sunday night, says he was told the victims included a child and an older person, the outlet also reported.

Police, however, have not released official details on the victims of the shooting. In addition, the outlet reports that officers say neither of the people who died was a child.

Five people were transported to the hospital, and two were pronounced dead, WKMG reported. Survivors' conditions have not yet been released.

Police say the incident occurred around 6:50 p.m. near Poppy Park at the 5400 block of Lescot Lane in Orlando's Carver Shores neighborhood.

"I would like to just find justice for my niece," Anita Emilien told WKMG. Emilien said her niece, who goes by the name "Pat," was killed Easter Sunday while sitting on her grandmother's porch.

Emilien also said her niece was in her 30s and had four children, including a newborn baby.

"Everyone who saw who did it please, please, report it to the police, to the news, everywhere. She’s too young. She’s too young," Emilien also said.

The incident at Poppy Park on Easter Sunday occurred several hours after another shooting in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood, as TheBlaze reported.

The Parramore shooting took place around 2:28 a.m. Police shot and killed the suspect, 28-year-old Lacorvis Tamar Daley, after Daley opened fire on them. Police believe Daley is responsible for shooting and killing three people in a domestic violence incident.

One of the victims was an adult and two were children.

Police released more details on the Parramore shooting victims' identities Monday, as WKMG reported.

The victims include 69-year-old Carole Fulmore, 13-year-old Damionna Reed, and 7-year-old Cameron Bouie.

Between the Parramore and Poppy Park shootings in Orlando on Easter Sunday, at least five people have died.

TheBlaze reached out to the Orlando Police Department for comment on the reported shooting in Poppy Park, but did not receive a reply before publication.

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Easter morning tragedy: Young child, two adults shot dead; police fatally shoot man believed responsible
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Easter morning tragedy: Young child, two adults shot dead; police fatally shoot man believed responsible



A young child and two adults were pronounced dead Easter morning after being shot. Police shot and killed the suspect after he opened fire, local law enforcement officials reported.

"Tonight we had a tragedy in our Parramore community," Orlando's police chief Eric Smith said in a press conference.

"A suspect walked out of the house, walked towards the officers, shot at the officers, the officers returned fire and the suspect fell," said Chief Eric Smith of the Orlando Police Department.

Police responded to a domestic violence call in the 600 block of Grand Street in west-central Orlando's Parramore neighborhood early Sunday morning.

Officers reportedly heard gunshots inside the home prior to the suspect exiting the home 2:28 a.m. Officers shot the 28-year-old gunman after he opened fire. The gunman was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

On entering the home, officers found 3 victims with gunshot wounds. One was a young child.

"The young child died at the hospital. OPD itself transported him to the hospital," Chief Smith said in a Sunday morning press conference.

"It’s heart wrenching to wake up to this horrific news of a family and a child being murdered here on Resurrection Sunday, Easter Sunday," District 5 City Commissioner Regina Hill told the outlet, adding that the child was only 4 years old.

"What a horrific, tragic situation," said Orlando's Mayor Buddy Dyer. "Sending support to the family members of the victims as well as the offers, who were thankfully unharmed."


Neighbors, friends, and family gathered on Grand Street, hugging and crying, the Sentinel reported. They sat on plastic chairs waiting at the scene for more answers.

"I don't know how to feel right now," the father of one of the victims reportedly said through his tears.

The officers involved were not injured in the shooting. They will be placed on paid administrative leave according to protocol. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will also be investigating, followed by the State Attorney's Office. OPD plans to release footage from officers' bodycams within 30 days, according to a statement from OPD.

OPD will provide additional information on the victims after next of kin notifications have been made, the department said in a social media post Sunday afternoon.

Watch WKMG's footage from the early morning scene below.



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