Lynn Haven, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier joined Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford to announce the takedown of an illegal alien driver’s license scheme, with eight individuals arrested so far. A joint BCSO and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operation uncovered two compromised DMV employees offering illegal aliens driver’s licenses in exchange for cash.

“Florida’s Sheriffs are on the front lines of our state’s fight against illegal immigration, and Sheriff Ford is rooting out the corruption they bring into our state,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “My warning to any illegal alien coming to Florida to commit further crimes: we are going to find you, hold you accountable, and then send you back to where you came from.”

“We appreciate our partners that keep our state safe,” said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford.

Over the course of the investigation, authorities learned that two DMV employees were issuing an unusually large number of driver’s licenses. When investigators reviewed the in-house video at the DMV, they confirmed that the individuals receiving the licenses bypassed the required tests to obtain a license legally. These individuals traveled across Florida to Bay County to receive their driver’s licenses. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier is announcing the statewide results of Florida’s participation in a nationwide organized retail theft blitz operation. Working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, authorities made 44 arrests, including three illegal aliens, and recovered more than $207,000 in stolen assets. The Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange (FORCE) played a significant role in this crackdown. The nationwide blitz operation targeted criminals, and organized crime rings that prey on retailers.
“Due to great coordination among our state law enforcement and Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange, 44 criminals were arrested as part of a nationwide organized retail theft blitz,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “The rule of law means something in Florida; this is another example of our state working with law enforcement to stop criminals.”

“FDLE was proud to take part in the National Organized Retail Crime Blitz in support of Attorney General James Uthmeier’s initiative to crack down on retail crime across the state,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “We are a law-and-order state, and together with our local and state partners are committed to protecting Florida’s businesses and communities.” Continue reading →