Tag: Florida

FL: Civilian sex stings aim at ‘street justice’

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[yoursun.com – 6/1/21] For about as long as there have been children, … … Now some civilian groups are taking matters into their own hands. Sarasota resident Lee Bassett runs a Facebook page called Southwest Florida Exposures. … That was the first of Bassett’s online stings that resulted in an arrest. Law enforcement disapproves Despite Bassett contributing to the arrest of Allen, law enforcement generally discourages undercover civilian operations. Officers say it can detract from real justice with real consequences. … Because of a lack of legal consequences, the civilian…

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FL: DoC is Planning to Charge people in prison to Receive Mail

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Orlando Sentinel, May 29 FDC will hold a public hearing June 11 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time Officials with the Florida Department of Corrections plan to almost completely digitize mail sent to state prisons by photocopying every card, letter or picture and providing it instead electronically to incarcerated people — a change that families and prison reform advocates argue could create more hurdles for maintaining connections with people in prison, as well as add additional burdens and costs to them and their loved ones. The plan, which was announced this…

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FL: Bipartisan support is closing Florida’s sexual offender loophole

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[tampabay.com – 4/12/21] The case of a Tampa man who molested two young girls at a community pool but has not had to register as a sex offender has exposed a loophole in Florida’s law that is a concern among parents, law enforcement groups and child advocates. The Tampa Bay Times covered the story of Ray La Vel James, who was convicted of molesting the girls in 2002. James served 15 years in prison and was given a $10,000 fine. It was expected that upon his release, James would have…

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FL: Summerfield sex offender jailed after showing up a day late to register

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[villages-news.com – 4/6/21] A Summerfield sex offender spent a night in jail last week after showing up a day late for his quarterly registration update. Eric Samuel ____, 50, of 9445 SE 162nd St., was convicted in Orange County in October 1997 of sexual battery on a victim under 12 by an adult. As a result, he was required to register as a sex offender and must re-register four times a year, in the months of June, September, December and March. … On the morning of Thursday, April 1, Eric…

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Action Alert for Florida: CALL IMMEDIATELY to oppose April 6 hearing on SB 932 (Prohibits Parental Timesharing with their minor child)

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[floridaactioncommittee.org – 4/5/21] Floridians, take immediate action: email or call the senators TONIGHT or early morning before 9:30 AM Eastern on April 6. Florida Senate Bill 932 is on the Agenda to go before the Rules Committee tomorrow 04/06/21 at 9:30 am. We are calling on all members to contact the members of the Senate Rules Committee by calling and emailing them via the information below, and asking them to OPPOSE SB 932. Please remember to be polite and professional. Remember, they (absent Senator Book) were not the one introducing…

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FL: Whatever happened to the “Solicitation for Prostitution Registry”?

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[floridaactioncommittee.org – 3/29/21] in 2019, the Florida Legislature passed a Bill sponsored by Senator Lauren Book (SB 540) that was titled “Human Trafficking”. … The Bill passed and was signed into law, creating Florida Statute 943.0433, the “Solicitation for Prostitution Registry”. Individuals who committed the offense(s) on or after January 1, 2021 and are convicted (regardless of adjudication) on or after January 1, 2021 are currently being placed on the Soliciting for Prostitution Public Database. So far there are none. Read the full article and the see the empty registry…

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FL: Volusia County residents mistakenly get text alert about sex offender moving in nearby

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[clickorlando.com – 3/30/21] Text should have only been sent to certain DeLand residents Parker Lee Sharpley (Volusia County Sheriff’s Office) VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Many Volusia County residents received a text alert Tuesday afternoon telling them that a sex offender had moved in nearby but for most of them, that wasn’t actually the case. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said the message about Parker Lee _____, 37, should have only been sent to those who live within 1,000 feet of his new address, which is 1450 2nd Ave. in DeLand.…

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FL: Action News Jax Investigates: Homeless sex offenders become growing Florida problem

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[actionnewsjax.com – 3/23/21] ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Residents listed on the sex offender registry in Florida must live in certain areas, but they are not required to have a permanent address. In one case, a predator in St. Johns County was listed as living in the woods behind a Winn Dixie. The individual has since moved, according to the Sheriff’s Office post. Action News Jax dug through the registry to find at least six St. Johns offenders on the registry, including two predators, who are listed as transient. “My concern…

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FL: Florida Senate votes to close sex offender loophole

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[sfchronicle.com – 3/18/21] TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A loophole in Florida’s sexual offender registration law would be closed under a Senate bill unanimously passed Thursday in response to a child molester who didn’t have to register because he didn’t pay a court-ordered fine. A judge ruled last year that Ray La Vel James of Tampa, who spent 12 years in prison after being convicted of molesting two girls at a public pool, didn’t have to register as a sex offender because the law states registration isn’t required until a sentence…

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Action Alert: Oppose Florida Senate Bill 932 Time-Share Block

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[floridaactioncommittee.org – 3/15/21] [Note from ACSOL: the bill applies only to registrants in Florida, however, sometimes legislators are swayed by input from those in other states] Florida Action Committee website article: Florida Senate Bill 932 is on the Agenda to go before the Criminal Justice Committee tomorrow 03/16/21 at 12:30 pm. SB 932 prohibits a court from granting time-sharing with a minor child to a parent registered as a sexual offender or sexual predator. It literally says timesharing MAY NOT be given to a registrant parent unless a judge makes…

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FL: Florida Lawmakers Weigh Rules on Union Dues, [Sex Offense] Ballot Measures

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[nbcmiami.com – 3/7/21] The Florida Legislature enters the second week of its 60-day session Monday as it dives deeper into the process of winnowing the thousands of bills before it. … In the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, lawmakers in the coming week are considering a key change in sexual offender laws. Sexual offenders released from prison are supposed to register with authorities. But a court had ruled that sexual offenders don’t have to register if they hadn’t finished paying off any restitution they might owe. In other words, you’re not…

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Action Alert for Florida: Act Today to Oppose Senate Bill 234

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[floridaactioncommittee.org – 3/2/21] Senate Bill 234 will be heard by the Senate Rules Committee this Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 9:00-11:00 A.M. Eastern This bill will redefine the meaning of “day” to include “part of any calendar day”. FAC has submitted a letter in opposition to the Bill which you can read here: Letter to Rules RE SB234. Additionally, we plan to have a member speak before the meeting. We are calling on all members to contact the members of the Senate Rules Committee by calling and emailing them via…

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FL: Urban City Walk Mission in Tallahassee (registrants can stay in their shelter)

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[floridaactioncommittee.org  for citywalkmission.com – 2/16/21] City Walk opened as a “Cold Night Shelter” in late November. Where the City and City Walk disagree is on the definition of a “cold night.” Our local government says it’s not a cold night until it is ‘35 degrees or below for three or more consecutive hours.’ So if it is 36 degrees and raining our local government says it’s not cold enough to activate. Many of our congregation are elderly, some in their 70’s and 80’s and many others with severe disabilities. A…

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Action Alert for Florida Residents: Call and Write to Oppose Senate Bill 234

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[floridaactioncommittee.org – 2/11/21] On Monday, February 15, 2021, the Florida Senate Judiciary committee will consider Senate Bill 234. It is item number 3 on their agenda. Among other things, this bill introduced by Senator Lauren Book would change the definition of “day” to mean part of any calendar day. Therefore, as written, anywhere you are physically present 4 or more times a year would technically have to be registered within 48 hours. Visit your parent’s home once a week for dinner? Play cards at a friend’s house once a month?…

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FL: Bill Preventing Registered Sex Offenders, Predators From Having Time-Sharing With Minor Child Advances

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[wmfe.org 2/4/21] Legislation making its way through the House would prevent parents registered as a sex offender or predator from being granted time-sharing with their child. The legislation is sponsored by Daytona Beach Republican Representative Thomas Leek. “I believe that if you are a convicted sexual predator or a sexual offender of a minor while you are an adult the presumption should be that you are not entitled to custody. Unless the court makes a specific finding that the child would be safe in your custodial care.” The bill passed…

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FL: Florida amendment would halt min. wage increase for ex-felons

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[wfla.com – 1/31/21] PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida State Senator Jeff Brandes introduced an amendment this past week that would reduce the eventual $15 minimum wage rate for ex-felons and workers under 21. Floridians voted back in November to gradually increase in the state’s minimum wage from $8.56 an hour to $15 an hour by 2026. Supporters of the amendment had said it is impossible to live on the current minimum wage given the state’s cost of living. Read the full article and watch the video    

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FL: Congratulations Derek! Florida Supreme Court WIN

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[floridaactioncommittee.org – 1/27/21] That’s it. The Florida Supreme Court has just ruled in favor of Derek Logue and against Senator Lauren Book, declining to hear the case and stating that no motions for rehearing will be entertained. Today was a great day for the First Amendment and an individual’s right to peacefully petition and protest against politicians. Lauren Book and Derek Logue are on two completely opposite sides of the sex offender registry debate. However, when Derek didn’t shy away from making his voice heard, Ms. Book filed a restraining…

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