Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Teen’s Snapchat ‘Threat’ Creates Legal Challenge
In early February, 19-year old David Puy was on his way to dinner with friends, and he posted on Snapchat, “On my way! School shooter” – which Puy readily admits was poor judgment. However, after the tragic mass shooting at Margery Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in 2018, Florida made changes to its… Read More »
“Cry For Help” Bank Robber Reaches Plea Deal
In November 2019, 74-year old Sandy Hawkins robbed a Wells Fargo bank branch near Boca Raton, taking just $1,100 after declining more from the teller, saying she’d “given him too much.” He was charged with a second-degree felony, characterizing his crime as a “cry for help,” but on Friday, February 14, the court in… Read More »
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 »