The Internet Crimes Against Children unit in the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with Homeland Security, the FBI, NCIS and other law enforcement agencies in an operation called “Operation Spring Fling” to bust 14 people believed to have targeted children for sex. These arrests were part of a larger proactive operation by the ICAC to fight child exploitation. The individuals face numerous criminal charges related to online child exploitation. Sheriff Rob Hardwick praised the hard work of the officers involved and reminded parents and guardians to monitor their children’s online activities, set boundaries, and speak to their children…
Continue ReadingMonth: June 2023
City of St. Augustine Teams Up with Parking App to Simplify Parking
The City of St. Augustine has partnered with Modii to launch a new digital parking platform called the St. Augustine Parking Finder website. The platform is designed to help visitors and residents find available parking options more efficiently and reduce congestion by allowing drivers to get parking information directly on their mobile phones. By updating the parking information in real-time, City staff can help drivers park safely and legally while reducing confusion and frustration caused by road closures and city events. The St. Augustine Parking Finder is available on the City’s website. CLICK TO READ SOURCE Images/Source: Action News Jax
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Winn-Dixie and Pie in the Sky Team Up to Combat Senior Hunger in St. Johns County
Winn-Dixie joined forces with Pie in the Sky Community Alliance to give a helping hand to St. Johns County seniors facing food insecurity. Southern Villas apartments residents received the surprise delivery of 100 cartons of eggs and fresh produce, which deemed crucial for their well-being. Winn-Dixie pledged to donate 100 cartons of eggs to Pie in the Sky Community Alliance each month as part of their efforts to support their mission to deliver food to over 550 seniors in need in St. Johns County. CLICK TO READ SOURCE Images/Source: Action News Jax
St. Johns County Man Accused of Contractor Fraud, Deputies Seek Info from Other Victims
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) has arrested a 49-year-old man, Brandon Keith Franklin, on charges of contractor fraud. Franklin, who pretended to be a licensed contractor and had multiple business names, was apprehended following an investigation conducted by SJSO that began in 2022 after a homeowner complained about his fraudulent activities. According to the police report, the homeowner paid Franklin an upfront sum of 20% of the project’s estimated cost, amounting to $28,806.40, to work on an addition to the house, paying him a total of $42,759.60 before the stop-work order was issued. When the homeowner tried to…
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