Author Archives: Jay Butchko

Can I Get My Property Back After Forfeiture?
Civil asset forfeiture is a policy where assets can be seized from people suspected of committing crimes, if the property is believed to have played a role in the crime. However, the key word is suspected; no conviction is necessary for law enforcement to take your property, and the odds of getting it back… Read More »

“Mrs. Florida” Sentenced To Prison For Social Security Fraud
On January 9, a former beauty queen was sentenced to a month in federal prison after a judge told her that “choices in life have consequences.” Karyn Turk, the former Mrs. Florida 2016, pled guilty to one count of misdemeanor Social Security fraud, receiving a sentence of 1 month in federal prison and 5… Read More »

Publix Pharmacist Loses License After Theft Of Over 1000 Pills
A 24-year old pharmacist has lost his license after being caught with over 1,000 controlled substance pills, though as of this writing no charges have been filed. Alexander Vazquez Honeycutt was caught on tape stealing five pills of zolpidem (generic Ambien), and later admitted to stealing other controlled substances like gabapentin, alprazolam (generic Xanax),… Read More »

Hillsborough County Man Shoots 2 Alleged Home Invaders
On the morning of January 5, 2020, a Tampa man faced 2 teens trying to break into his home and fired shots in self-defense. The home’s resident told law enforcement that the young men entered the home through an unlocked door, carrying weapons; when one of them made demands, the resident fired at them… Read More »

Man Charged With DUI After Accident With Tri-Rail Train
A man narrowly escaped serious injury on the night of December 28, 2019, when he claimed his GPS led him onto a portion of railroad tracks, only for his car to be sideswiped by a Tri-Rail train as he dozed. At first he denied being on the tracks at all, but eventually was arrested… Read More »

21 Year Old Man Shot On Sidewalk
On the morning after Christmas, a young man named Jamari Jenkins was found shot to death on a sidewalk in West Palm Beach, south of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. The shooting is being worked as the 16th homicide of the year in West Palm Beach, and while police have no leads as of this… Read More »

Drug Trafficking In Florida
Drug trafficking is a serious problem in Florida, with the state’s countless miles of coastline and high population. Simple possession of drugs is a crime that is strictly prosecuted, but if you are arrested on drug trafficking charges, it is safe to say that you are facing severe penalties. You are, however, entitled to… Read More »

Testing Of Backlogged Rape Kits Leads To Arrest
The United States has an endemic problem with the prosecution of rape. As DNA evidence has become indispensable to law enforcement, cases have more and more often been built around it – but too often, rape kits that might provide that valuable DNA evidence lay on a shelf or in a cabinet, untested by… Read More »

Clarifying Florida Marijuana Offenses
Medical marijuana became legal in Florida in 2016. However, marijuana is still a Schedule I drug under federal law, which is the schedule that carries the most severe penalties for possession or sale. Because of this disparity, it can sometimes be very confusing for the average person to know when it is safe to… Read More »

Woman Claiming To Be ICE Agent Robs Hispanic Man
On October 12, a blonde woman wearing a black dress and badge intimidated and robbed a Hispanic man in West Palm Beach, taking his cell phone and roughly $3,500 in cash. She also threatened him with deportation, claiming to work for Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), though as of this writing no proof exists… Read More »