Articles Posted in News

“The police have the evidence. I already told them what happened. Why would I plead not guilty?” Attorney Ron Frey hears this question often from people facing a criminal charge for the first time. In Florida, an initial not guilty plea puts the State to its burden of proving the charge while your attorney reviews…

Recent arrests in Manatee County involved allegations of human trafficking through coercion and deriving support from prostitution, after an investigation that included an undercover detective. Many of these cases are brought in state court under Florida law, though federal agencies sometimes investigate human trafficking as well. If you or a friend or family member has…

Federal agents are still working through COVID-era Small Business Administration loans years after the programs closed. A recent federal plea in Fort Myers involved wire fraud and illegal monetary transactions tied to an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, along with forfeiture of the loan proceeds. If the SBA Office of Inspector General, the FBI or IRS…

If you or a friend or family member was arrested in Tampa Bay, or agents have started asking questions, one of the first things to sort out is which system the case belongs to. Is my case going to be federal, state or both? Many people assume double jeopardy means only one government can bring…

Two big events land on back-to-back nights in Tampa this December. The Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl is set for Friday, December 18, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium. The next evening, Saturday, December 19, the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade starts at 6:15 PM near Sparkman Wharf, passes through the Convention Center Basin and finishes at…

A recent report of a Stetson University student arrested on campus after a tip from an online platform is a reminder that a criminal case can begin long before a student knows anything is wrong. Investigations involving online activity can take months before officers arrive with a search warrant. If you are a college student…

How an Online Sting Usually Leads to an Arrest Recent stings in Florida have followed a familiar pattern. An officer poses online as someone else, often as a teenager, and a chat that began on social media or an app ends in an arrest. Agencies sometimes announce several arrests at once, with names and photos,…

Unlicensed contracting charges in Florida often start with what seemed like an ordinary job: a quote for a roof repair, a bathroom remodel, an air conditioning install or storm cleanup. Under Florida law, offering or performing certain construction work without the required state certification or registration can lead to a criminal charge. Local law enforcement…

When a government relief program, grant or public contract comes under review, the questions can start with an audit or a request for records and end with a criminal investigation. In Florida, these cases are often charged as an organized scheme to defraud. Public officials, business owners, nonprofit leaders and employees who handled applications or…

Many people expect a criminal case to begin with an “indictment,” because that is the word they hear on the news and on TV. In Florida state court, most cases are formally charged a different way. After an arrest or an investigation, a prosecutor at the State Attorney’s Office decides whether to file a written…