A wanted man was found and arrested in Lake Placid on Monday. US Marshals arrested 62-year-old Clifton Clayton Boggess who is wanted in connection to the murder of a 25-year-old Colorado woman. Authorities say Britani Meek went missing on October 25th, 2023 and her body and vehicle were later discovered on November 28th in rural Yuma County. A July 24th warrant issued for Boggess charged him with first degree murder, felony tampering with a dead body, second degree kidnapping, second degree theft of a motor vehicle and third-degree assault. A Highlands County Detective assisted Marshals in arresting Boggess who was found at a storage unit near US 27 and south main avenue. Boggess is currently at Highlands County Jail awaiting extradition to Colorado.
Nearly three dozen suspects are facing charges in connection to a Central Florida human trafficking sting. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods gave an update yesterday, saying his agency has arrested 33 men during the operation meant to target online sex predators. Undercover law enforcement officers posing as children were contacted by the suspects. Some of the men traveled outside of Florida to meet with the alleged kids in exchange for sex. In addition to the arrests, deputies were able to confiscate guns, drugs and cash from the suspects.
Four people are hurt after an explosion in Marion County. Ocala Fire Rescue says Classic Laundromat exploded yesterday afternoon on Northeast 25th Ave. Two of those injured were taken to the hospital. There’s no word on their conditions. Fire inspectors determined the laundromat and seven other businesses were inaccessible. There’s no word on what caused the explosion. The State Fire Marshal is investigating.
A Manatee County woman has been found guilty of manslaughter in her husband’s death. Last night a jury found former ballerina Ashley Benefield guilty in the 2020 death of Doug Benefield. She was charged with second-degree murder in what CBS’ 48 Hours called the Black Swan murder case. There’s no word on why jurors went with the lesser charge. The 32-year-old Benefield claimed self-defense, but prosecutors say she killed Doug to get sole custody of their daughter. No sentencing date was announced.
A suspect accused of sexual battery near the University of Central Florida’s downtown campus is in custody. UCF police say a man followed a woman from a Lynx bus stop into the Amelia Street parking garage before pulling her into a stairwell on Sunday night. The survivor was able to provide a full description of the suspect, which led to the arrest of Lamarcus Robinson Junior Monday night. He is facing charges of sexual battery and false imprisonment. Investigators say the victim and suspect are not affiliated with the university.
A boat theft in Volusia County could be part of a larger crime ring. The sheriff’s office is looking for one or two men who stole a boat and a trailer last week outside a home in New Smyrna Beach. Sheriff Mike Chitwood says the van that was used in the theft was found at an auto shop. Further investigation traced the van to the Daytona Beach International Airport where a suspect rented a pickup truck and drove it to the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Chitwood says there’s an arrest warrant out for the suspect, who’s a Cuban national. The sheriff says investigators are still trying to identify the second suspect. Chitwood also says the fact that the men were driving through neighborhoods means this is probably an organized ring.
Several organizations are calling on Florida to apply for next year’s federal summer food assistance program. The SUN Bucks service gives eligible families 120 dollars per child for meals while they are out of school. The Sunshine State was one of 14 states who decided not to participate this year. No Kid Hungry Florida says the program would help more than two-million kids. The nonprofit, as well as several other groups, sent a letter to state leaders back in May, asking them to reconsider joining the initiative. The deadline for the state to submit a preliminary plan of operation to the USDA is August 15th.
After almost 20 years, the Tampa Bay Rays’ search for a new home is finally over. The Pinellas County Commission voted yesterday to spend over 300 million dollars for a new baseball stadium. Principal Owner Stu Sternberg says this is quite a momentous day for the franchise, the fans and the entire region. The deal will keep the Rays in St. Pete at least another 30 years. Groundbreaking is set for January, and the stadium should be ready for Opening Day 2028. It’ll seat under 35-thousand people, and Rays President Matt Silverman says it’ll be the most intimate ballpark in baseball.