Category: Florida

Florida Man Arrested Following Tip Alleging He Made ‘Violent’ Threats Against Trump

(Photo via; West Palm Beach Police)
(Photo via; West Palm Beach Police)

OAN Staff Abril Elfi
2:12 PM – Saturday, January 25, 2025

A Florida man has been arrested after allegedly making “violent” threats against President Donald Trump.

On Saturday, the West Palm Beach Police stated that Shannon Depararro Atkins, 46, was arrested after a tip provided to the authorities accused him of threatening to kill the president on social media. 

He is currently facing one count of making written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism. 

Atkins is also facing a drug possession charge after detectives found cocaine on him at the time of the arrest.

West Palm Beach Police stated that they began their investigation on January 19th after a tip sent to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center reported a man in Okeechobee, later identified as Atkins, making violent Facebook posts aimed towards Trump.

According to WPEC, authorities stated that Atkins said something along the lines of “Lincoln, JFK, Reagan, Martin Luther King, and Trump. Unfortunately, one is still alive.” Another post by Atkins allegedly stated “Bullets, please. Jesus! Save America” and “I’ve been banned from X because I said I hope and pray someone kills him. We haven’t had an assassination in years.”

(Photo via; West Palm Beach Police)

The inquiry, which led police to Atkins, was started on January 20 by a detective from the West Palm Beach Police who was attached to the FBI task team. Detectives had been keeping an eye on Atkins during the inquiry before his arrest on Friday night.

Atkins was driving a white 2013 BMW 750Li when he was stopped during a traffic stop close to his West Palm Beach residence just before 7:30 p.m. Friday, according to West Palm Beach Police.

Atkins acknowledged creating the posts online during his interrogation with police. He was subsequently brought to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Main Detention Center, where he is being held on the aforementioned counts. The U.S. Secret Service was also informed by detectives, and they will decide if Atkins will be charged with any federal offenses.

Voter registration records show that Atkins voted Democrat since at least 2008.

Atkins’ arrest comes months after Trump survived two assassination attempts, including a shooting during a Butler, Pennsylvania rally in July in which a bullet grazed his ear. 

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Florida: Abduction Report Leads To Discovery Of U-Haul Truck Full Of Mostly Chinese Migrants

(Photo via; Coral Gables Police/WSVN-TV)
(Photo via; Coral Gables Police/WSVN-TV)

OAN Staff Abril Elfi 
10:30 AM – Saturday, January 18, 2025

Over 30 migrants, most of them Chinese, have been found inside a U-Haul truck in Florida following a report of an alleged abduction. 

Coral Gables Police Chief Edward James Hudak Jr. stated that the group of migrants were discovered after a security guard for a homeowners association in Coral Gables reported seeing an abduction around 9:35 a.m.

According to Hudak, the guard had reported seeing a U-Haul and a Toyota involved in the incident and immediately reported it to a patrol officer who then issued a be on the lookout alert for the vehicles.

Police stated that officers stopped the vehicle and the woman who had been allegedly abducted was taken from the Toyota. When they began investigating the U-Haul truck, they found 16 Chinese females, 15 Chinese males, one Cuban male and one Ecuadorian female. 

“Officers opened the back of the truck, which revealed 21 predominantly Chinese nationals,” Hudak said.

In addition to the migrants in the U-Haul truck, authorities found a Cuban man, a Brazilian woman and a man from Ecuador in the Toyota. 

“We do believe these individuals were brought here by the water,” the chief said. “They were probably dropped off, we’re assuming somewhere around the southern end of Coral Gables and approached on foot to the van where they were loaded into.”

According to authorities, the migrants were “tired” but in good health when the Coral Gables Fire Department arrived to provide medical attention.

“Today’s event is a prime example of why FDLE is supportive of the governor’s proposed special session to tackle illegal immigration immediately,” Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said. “The actions of law enforcement are an integral part of preventing these smuggling ventures that happen too frequently on our southern border.”

The migrants were then handed over to the U.S. Border Patrol, and four others were taken into police custody in relation to the incident. 

“This started off as a crime,” Hudak said. “The police department responded to that alleged crime by a very alert citizen. By that, I mean I think we’ve saved some lives.”

Authorities stated they have not identified the boat on which the migrants were transported, although they have intercepted a number of boats while patrolling the waterways close to the city.

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In A Final Push, Hillary Clinton Campaigns For Harris In Florida

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks onstage during Day 1 of the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown on September 23, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Clinton Global Initiative)
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks onstage during Day 1 of the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown on September 23, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for the Clinton Global Initiative)

OAN Staff James Meyers
12:55 PM – Thursday, October 31, 2024

SEE: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/in-a-final-push-hillary-clinton-campaigns-for-harris-in-florida/; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

Former First Lady, Secretary of State and runner up in the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton is set to make a stop in Tampa, Florida, less than a week before the 2024 election.

According to an email from the Harris-Walz campaign, Clinton will be joining Harris supporters at 10:30 a.m. (EST) on Saturday to encourage Floridians to vote for the Democrat ticket.

Additionally, in a post on Instagram, Clinton said she is also set to speak at 3 p.m. at the Straz Center to discuss her new book, “Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty.”

“Take a break from getting out the vote and refill your cup with a chat about why fighting the good fight is always worth it,” she said in the post.

Clinton endorsed Harris earlier in July.

“Kamala cares about kids and families and cares about America. Donald only cares about himself. On her first day in court, Kamala said five words that still guide her: ‘Kamala Harris, for the people.’ That’s something Donald Trump will never understand.”

This will be Clinton’s first campaign trail appearance for Harris since backing the vice president when she took over for ousted President Joe Biden as the Democrat nominee.

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Time To Leave Florida? Beaches Destroyed! Why Stay Here In This Mess?~HORRIFIC Devastation in Swannanoa, Black Mountain, NC from Hurricane Helene

What I Saw: HORRIFIC Devastation in Swannanoa, Black Mountain, NC from Hurricane Helene

Scenes I captured of Black Mountain's Swannanoa Valley in ruins. Witness the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Black Mountain, NC. Once a serene and picturesque town, Black Mountain has been left in ruins by the storm's destructive force. Homes, landscapes, and communities were shattered. It will take years to rebuild, but the beauty of Appalachia remains, and Mother Nature's fury will never be forgotten.

Hurricane Milton: The latest on the aftermath of the storm in Florida

Here's at look at what the Tampa Bay area looks like after Hurricane Milton moved through Florida.

DESTRUCTIVE Aftermath of Hurricane MILTON - Venice to Fort Myers Beach, Florida

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Blaze Media DOCUMENTS Hurricane Milton Rescue Efforts

Fort Myers Beach After Hurricane Milton Today Live Cam October 10, 2024

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Gives Update On Response To Hurricane Milton

DeSantis Details Damage, Fatalities, & Early Response After Hurricane Milton Hits Florida

Picking Up The Pieces! Mission Update #hurricanehelene

In this video, we’re taking you through the next phase of our efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. After completing the Search and Rescue, Recovery, and Logistics stages, we are now deep into community rebuilding. Power has been restored at the community hub, but most of the town remains without power. We’ve been working tirelessly to deliver crucial supplies and generators to those still in need, helping the community rebuild stronger than ever. You’ll get an inside look at the on-the-ground efforts to bring people together, maintain morale, and provide resources to keep everyone safe and resilient. Join us as we continue to make an impact, while keeping true to the Prepper mindset of preparedness, self-reliance, and survival. Thank you for your ongoing support—your contribution is helping us make a difference! Stay tuned for more updates on how you can help and what we’re doing next in our mission to rebuild.

Special report: Hurricane Milton tears across Florida

Hours after Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm, residents in Florida are now assessing the damage just weeks after Hurricane Helene struck many of the same areas. NBC News' Tom Llamas and Dylan Dreyer report from Florida, and Al Roker gives the latest on the storm's path.

Huge Hurricane Milton Storm Surge Fury Coming In Early

Raw and Unedited. Bonita Beach By Docs - This Storm Surge Was Increasing Right Before Our Eyes. Barefoot Beach 5 to 20 Million Dollar Houses All Swamped and Flooded. Imperial River Is Backed Up To Tarpon. Watch the Full Video and Join Our Community and Subscribe.

 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Claims Harris Has ‘No Role’ In Hurricane Response

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on August 8, 2024. DeSantis awarded Miami-Dade County with an $8 million grant to help with the construction of their new stadium, Miami Freedom Park. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on August 8, 2024. DeSantis awarded Miami-Dade County with an $8 million grant to help with the construction of their new stadium, Miami Freedom Park. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Staff Abril Elfi
12:07 PM – Tuesday, October 8, 2024

SEE: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/desantis-claims-harris-has-no-role-in-hurricane-response/; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called out Vice President Kamala Harris saying she has “no role” in the hurricane response.

On Monday, DeSantis (R-Fla.) accused Harris of having “no role” in helping the state recover from Hurricane Helene or prepare for Hurricane Milton.

“For Kamala Harris to try to say my sole focus on the people of Florida is somehow selfish is delusional,” DeSantis said. “She has no role in this, in fact, she’s been vice president for three and a half years, I’ve dealt with a number of storms under this administration, she’s never contributed anything to any of these efforts.” 

According to NBC News, DeSantis was not taking calls from the Democratic presidential nominee regarding storm recovery efforts, citing unnamed aides to the governor who said the calls seemed political in nature.

However, when DeSantis was asked by Fox News' Sean Hannity if she has ever called before while preparing for hurricanes, he answered “no.”

“She has no role in this process. I’m in contact with the President of the United States. "I'm in contact with the FEMA director, I’m obviously managing all of our state agencies, we’re supporting all our local governments,” he added. 

Harris responded to the Florida governor’s accusations, stating he was “playing politics.” 

“People are in desperate need of support right now and playing political games at this moment in these crisis situations … is just utterly irresponsible, and it is selfish,” Harris said to reporters on Monday. “It is about political gamesmanship, instead of doing the job that you took an oath to do, which is to put the people first.”

DeSantis claimed good relations with both the Trump and Biden administrations regarding hurricane preparation and response before Harris. 

“She’s the first one who’s trying to politicize the storm, and she’s doing that just because of her campaign,” DeSantis said. “I don’t have time for political games. I’ve got people whose lives are on the line, I’ve got people whose homes and possessions are on the line, and we are focused 100% on that mission.”

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Florida Issues Largest Evacuation Warning In Almost A Decade As ‘Life-Threatening’ Hurricane Milton Strengthens To Cat. 4 Storm

Dane Grifford describes the damage and debris left by Hurricane Helene ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall in the middle of this week in Treasure Island, Florida on October 7, 2024. Florida's governor has declared a state of emergency on Saturday as forecasters warned that Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall later this week. (Photo by Bryan R. SMITH / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)
Dane Grifford describes the damage and debris left by Hurricane Helene ahead of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall in the middle of this week in Treasure Island, Florida, on October 7, 2024. Florida’s governor has declared a state of emergency on Saturday as forecasters warned that Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall later this week. (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Staff James Meyers
9:07 AM – Monday, October 7, 2024

SEE: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/fla-issues-largest-evacuation-warning-in-almost-a-decade-as-life-threatening-hurricane-milton-strengthens-to-cat-4-storm/; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

Floridians have been issued urgent warnings to begin the largest evacuation in almost a decade as Hurricane Milton rapidly grew to a “life threatening” Category 4 storm containing 150 mph winds Monday, placing hundreds of thousands of residents still recovering from Helene at risk. 

Meanwhile, Milton is projected to hit Wednesday as a major hurricane in the Tampa Bay area, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. 

Additionally, storm surge and hurricane watches were issued for Florida’s Gulf Coast as Milton “rapidly intensified” into a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, according to the hurricane center.

Kevin Guthrie, the director of Florida’s emergency management division, urged residents to be prepared for the “largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma.” “I highly encourage you to evacuate,” Guthrie said during a press conference.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) said it was clear the state was going to be hit hard. 

“You have time to prepare … be sure your hurricane preparedness plan is in place,” DeSantis said Sunday.

“If you’re on that west coast of Florida, barrier islands, just assume you’ll be asked to leave.”

Furthermore, the hurricane center had warned that the hurricane posed “an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge from Milton for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday,”

“Residents should follow any advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so,” the federal agency warned.

“I’m just gonna distill it down and put it in some plain speak — everybody’s just got to get out,” warned Sheriff Bob Gualtieri of Pinellas County, which includes Clearwater and St. Petersburg.

“This is going to be bad. That’s all you need to know,” he said of warnings the storm surge could top 8 feet along his county’s coastal regions.

“There’s going to reach a point where you are on your own, because we are not going to get our people killed because you don’t want to listen to what we’re saying.”

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Florida Gov. DeSantis Expands State Of Emergency To 51 Counties Ahead Of Hurricane Milton

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, Florida, on September 26, 2024 as Hurricane Helene was set to slam into the Florida coast as a "catastrophic" Category 4 storm. An increasingly powerful hurricane threatening "catastrophic," dangerous storm surges and flooding was forecast to hit Florida's Gulf coast on September 26, as thousands of residents evacuated towns along the US state's shoreline. Helene strengthened into a hurricane mid-morning September 25 in the Gulf of Mexico and is "expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the Southeastern United States," the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its latest bulletin. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, Florida, on September 26, 2024 as Hurricane Helene was set to slam into the Florida coast as a “catastrophic” Category 4 storm. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Staff Abril Elfi
3:40 PM – Saturday, October 6, 2024

SEE: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/florida-gov-desantis-expands-state-of-emergency-to-51-counties-ahead-of-hurricane-milton/; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for 51 counties ahead of Hurricane Milton. 

DeSantis (R-Fla.) declared a state of emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Milton for 51 Florida counties, including all counties in the Tampa Bay Area.

Areas at greatest risk are communities still reeling from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Ian in 2022.

The Executive Order (EO) 24-214 includes Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia counties.

Milton is expected to hit Florida and become a dangerous hurricane next week with damaging winds, life-threatening storm surges and torrential rain.

Over the next 36 hours, Milton is predicted to intensify quickly. By the time it reaches the Florida peninsula’s west coast midweek, it may be a powerful Category 3 hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center said Hurricane and Storm Surge watches will likely be required for portions of Florida.  

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Former Florida Congressional Candidate Charged After Threatening To Kill Opponent Rep. Ana Paulina Luna

Justice Department
Justice Department

OAN Staff Abril Elfi
10:40 AM – Sunday, September 29, 2024

SEE: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/former-florida-congressional-candidate-charged-after-threatening-to-kill-opponent-rep-ana-paulina-luna/; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

A former Republican congressional candidate has been charged after allegations of threatening to kill his political opponent in 2021. 

William Braddock has been accused of making the alleged threats on June 8th, 2021, which include threatening to “call up [his] Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to take out his rival, Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.).

Prosecutors stated that the Republican candidate had been caught on audio calling Luna a “dead squirrel” and “a f—ing speed bump in the road.” 

A conservative activist recorded Braddock where he can be heard making threats against Luna.

“I really don’t want to have to end anybody’s life for the good of the people of the United States of America,” he was heard saying in the audio, as reported by Politico.

“That will break my heart. But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Luna is a f—ing speed bump in the road. She’s a dead squirrel that you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood.”

Braddock then went on to deny making any threats and insisted that the audio may have been altered. A judge later green-lit a restraining order against him.

After leaving the U.S., Braddock went to the Philippines and was eventually extradited there. The Justice Department said he was charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person. 

On Thursday, he appeared in federal court in Los Angeles.

After winning the election, Luna was sworn into Congress for the first time in January 2023. 

Luna disclosed earlier this month that a “very serious shooting threat” was received by her office. She was vague about the specifics of the threat due to an ongoing investigation into it by law enforcement.

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Hurricane Helene: Florida gov. Ron Desantis provides update on deadly storm

Hurricane Helene made its way through the sunshine state and emergency crews rushed Friday to rescue people trapped in flooded homes. Florida and other states such as Georgia experienced massive storm surge power outages. Florida governor Ron Desantis held a press conference on Friday providing an update on Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Florida as major category 4 storm

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region as a catastrophic storm, lashing the region with devastating winds over 130 mph, and threatening a potentially "unsurvivable" 20-foot storm surge and flooding rain. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gave an update moments after Helene made landfall in Taylor County, FL at 11:10pm ET.

Helene Update & Next 2 Storms Coming Is VERY Concerning!

The next 2 storms forming will be tricky and potentially strong. We also still have Tropical storm Helene. We also have severe weather, damaging winds and potential tornadoes. In this video I will show you the information and impacts so you can better prepare.

DeSantis Reveals Fatalities Due To Hurricane Helene, Discusses Search & Rescue Operations

Florida Suspect’s BOMBSHELL Letter: “I Failed You”, Trump slams DOJ, FBI: charges “a slap on the wrist”

Drew Petrimoulx chats with The Hill’s legal reporter Zach Schonfeld as the man charged with the second attempt on former President Trump’s life was in court Monday. Zach gives an update on what happened, what’s next and what was in the letter he sent months before the attempt. Congressional reporter Michael Schnell also joined Debrief with the latest polling from the campaign trail, plus a look behind the scenes at the electoral math and why lawmakers are focusing on one district in Nebraska. Michael also gave her take on what Harris’ new endorsement from National Security Officials, a new voting law in GA, the latest negotiations to avoid a government shutdown, and how the campaigns are reacting to one North Carolina candidate’s controversial comments.

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