ORLANDO, Florida, June 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jackie Jamal Hines (46, Melbourne) has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. Hines faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, on December 6, 2023, a traffic s  more

JACKSONVILLE, Florida, June 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that James Matthew Doyle (37, Fleming Island) has pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine. Doyle faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. According to the plea agreement, in January and February 2023, Doyle sold cocaine on two occasions to a confidentia  more

FORT MYERS, Florida, June 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the extradition of Craig Austin Lang (34, Surprise, Arizona) from Ukraine to the United States to stand trial for six federal offenses. Lang, along with his co-defendant Alex Jared Zwiefelhofer (27, Bloomer, Wisconsin), was charged in 2019 in a conspiracy to commit robbery and discharging a firearm during and in r  more

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Florida, June 3 -- The U.S. Central Command issued the following news release: TAMPA, Fla - In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces conducted a self-defense engagement over the southern Red Sea, destroying one Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial system (UAS). It was determined the UAS presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make intern  more

MIAMI, Florida, June 4 (TNSres) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Southeast Regional Office issued the following feature story: * * * NOAA Fisheries is recommending nearly $900,000 in funding for projects that will reduce discards and increase fishing opportunities. * * * Fishing is a favorite pastime and an economic driver, especially in the Southeast. NOAA Fisheries recognizes that recreational and commercial fishers, fishery managers, and others are frustrated by sh  more

MIAMI, Florida, June 5 (TNSres) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Sustainable Fisheries issued the following feature story: * * * NOAA Fisheries continues to work with partners and fishermen to find solutions to depredation. * * * Shark depredation is the partial or complete removal of a hooked fish by a shark directly from an angler's line before the line can be retrieved. It is a growing concern for recreational anglers. NOAA Fisheries is taking steps to be  more