Sheriff: 5 Self-Proclaimed Neo-Nazis Arrested In Florida
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (AP) — Florida authorities say five self-proclaimed neo-Nazis have been arrested after an ongoing investigation found them in possession of illegal firearms, methamphetamine and Nazi propaganda material.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office says the five were arrested in a Tampa Bay area suburb Tuesday. A sixth person is still at large.
Arrest reports show that while searching the property, deputies found reams of American Nazi Family propaganda that outlined the rules, oaths and hierarchy of the American Nazi Family.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco says suspects allegedly stole identification cards from mailboxes and then used those IDs to obtain credit cards. He added that they likely traded the IDs and credit cards for drugs.
Nacco described the home as a “cesspool” and said detectives could hardly walk through the place.
Mother Of Girl Found Dead In Freezer Gets 65 Years
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — The mother of a Florida girl found dead in a freezer has been sentenced to 65 years in prison.
News outlets report that 33-year-old Keishanna Thomas was sentenced Wednesday after pleading no contest to charges of second-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and abuse of a dead body.
Authorities say the body of 11-year-old Janiya Thomas was found in October 2015 in a freezer that her mother had delivered to a relative’s Bradenton-area house. Relatives opened the padlocked freezer after hearing the child was missing.
An indictment says Thomas killed Janiya through some combination of starving, asphyxiation and drowning. She was last seen in June 2014.
A state report said child protective services investigators and partnering agencies for years failed to accurately assess the pattern of violence at the Thomas home.
Prosecutors Want Psych Report Sealed On Pulse Gunman’s Wife
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Government attorneys say a court should not reveal information about the psychological condition of the wife of a Florida nightclub gunman — at least not yet.
Prosecutors this week asked a judge to seal a report on Noor Salman’s psychological condition.
They say sealing the report would safeguard “sensitive information.” While the details may be released eventually at hearing or trial, they say it doesn’t need to be made public now.
Salman was charged with obstructing an investigation and aiding her husband, Omar Mateen. She has pleaded not guilty. Her trial is set for March.
Mateen opened fire at the Pulse nightclub last year in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Forty-nine patrons were killed. Dozens more were wounded.
Mateen was killed in a shoot-out with police.
Florida University Suspends Fraternity Amid Rape Allegations
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Florida university has suspended a fraternity after a woman said she was raped during a party.
Officials at the University of Central Florida sent letters to Alpha Tau Omega, accusing the fraternity of lying after the woman reported the rape to police last month. It’s unclear whether she’s a student.
An Aug. 23 hearing is scheduled to determine whether the suspension stands.
The Orlando Sentinel reports the letters state the fraternity withheld information or provided false, misleading, incomplete or incorrect information to university workers or police. The school also accused the fraternity of violations including disruptive conduct and underage drinking.
It’s the third time in five years the fraternity has been suspended.
Police on Monday arrested 23-year-old Alexander Emilio Garces on a sexual battery charge. An attorney isn’t listed.
Officials: Firefighters Find Body During House Fire
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Officials are looking into a house fire after firefighters found a body in a Florida home.
The News-Press of Fort Myers reports firefighters found the body inside of the home Wednesday afternoon. The fire caused extensive damage to the house.
Fort Myers Fire Chief John Caufield believes the victim likely died as a result of the fire, but couldn’t release the identity of the deceased. Investigators are looking into reports that someone else may have been in the home or discovered the fire.
Officials say the state fire marshal’s office will assist Fort Myers fire and police in the investigation.
The fatal fire is the second in Lee County in the past month.
