Attorney General Bondi’s Weekly Briefing ………………..

November is here, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner—a time to be grateful and enjoy the company of family and friends. But for Floridians living in areas devastated by Hurricane Michael, the holiday season comes as they struggle to rebuild their homes and communities. These are resilient families and I have no doubt they will come out of this tragedy stronger than ever. 

Floridians know that a deadly storm like Michael can devastate any of our communities. We also know that when disaster strikes, Floridians come together to help each other. Donations are flooding in from across Florida and all over the country, and I am teaming up with the Florida Highway Patrol to help feed families in the affected areas. 

From now through November 16, the Florida Cabinet and FHP are collecting donations at locations across the state as part of the Stuff the Charger food drive. You can donate at my office in the State Capitol, or at any of the additional collection sites throughout the state. To find a location near you, click here. 

The following items are needed:

• Canned Goods: canned meats (ham, chicken, tuna) canned potatoes, carrots, corn, green beans, canned fruits, vegetables and soup;
• Dried Goods: stuffing, boxed potatoes, rice, cornbread mix, grits, cereal and oatmeal; and
• Other Goods: nuts, peanut butter, evaporated milk, bottled water and broth.

I am so grateful for everyone giving to the recovery efforts, our first responders and FHP. Please assist our fellow Floridians by donating what you can. Your donation will go a long way in helping the Florida Panhandle heal.

Volusia deputies make arrest with new school violence prevention app, WKMG

Safe house for child victims of human trafficking to open in Pensacola, WEAR

SBA and HUD offers continuous aid to areas impacted by Hurricane Michael, WEAR-TV

22 Face Charges in Hillsborough Construction Fraud Investigation, Spectrum Bay News 9

Drug Dealer Sentenced for Trafficking Opioid Pills

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured the sentencing of a convicted drug dealer charged with trafficking opioids. Will Samuel Reaves, 46, received a 15-year sentence in the Florida State Prison. The Honorable Brian Iten imposed the sentence on the defendant.

Last month, a Manatee County jury found the defendant guilty of conspiracy to traffic hydromorphone. The charges stem from an investigation into a massive drug trafficking ring spanning multiple Florida counties. Reaves is the latest member of the ring to be sentenced. More.

Attorney General Bondi Issues Emergency Rule to Help Children Suffering from Epilepsy 

Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an emergency rule to allow an estimated 4,000 Floridians—many of whom are children—access to life-changing medication. The emergency rule reschedules Epidiolex, a cannabinoid-based drug, from a Schedule 1 drug to a Schedule 5 under Florida State Statutes. Epidiolex is the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved prescription pharmaceutical that contains a highly purified substance derived from cannabidiol—a cannabinoid lacking THC and therefore non-euphoric.

“This emergency rule will allow children and adults suffering from these terrible and rare forms of epilepsy to access life-changing, FDA approved medication,” said Attorney General Bondi.More.

FDLE agents arrest Tampa man on 20 counts of child pornography

Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 24-year-old Chandy Luciano Torres of 4302 Gunn Highway, Tampa, on 20 counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of transmission of child pornography.

FDLE agents began investigating Torres after receiving multiple tips. Through investigative techniques, agents learned Torres had uploaded child pornography files to an online storage account. Torres’ account included an upload log that identified more than 200 files suspected to be child pornography. Some of the images and video stored on the account showed children as young as six months old engaged in sexual acts.

Torres was transported to the Hillsborough County Jail and booked on a $152,000 bond. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute.

Make Safe Trick-Or-Treating Preparations This Halloween

This Halloween, Attorney General Pam Bondi released trick-or-treating safety tips and urging parents to utilize a new Florida Department of Law Enforcement application. The FDLE Search Sexual Offenders and Predators App allows users to instantly identify addresses on a trick-or-treating route where sex offenders are registered. Preparing now can help ensure a safe trick-or-treating experience. 

“Halloween is a time for families and friends to dress up, trick-or-treat and enjoy each other’s company, but kids walking at night and visiting unknown houses can be scary,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Please take steps now to ensure the scariest thing about this Halloween are the costumes.” More.

This week, Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Director of Consumer Protection Victoria Butler was named the National Attorneys General Training and Research Institute Consumer Protection Chief of the Month for October. Attorney General Bondi congratulates Victoria on the recognition and service for over 20 years.

Attorney General Bondi’s Chief Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Diane Croff is a commander in the U.S. Coast Guard. While on active duty helping with Hurricane Michael recovery efforts, Commander Croff met with Governor Rick Scott. Attorney General Bondi is proud and thankful for Commander Croff’s service, both as a prosecutor and in the military.