The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Andrew Powell

DeSantis signs into law two bills intended to help veterans

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(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills on June 20 intended to support Florida veterans and their spouses.

House Bill 725 expands the eligibility for admissions to a long-term care facility for veterans to include spouses and surviving spouses of qualifying veterans.

HB 1329 revises existing programs and expands benefits for veterans in Florida. The programs are designed to help veterans ease into civilian life once they have left the military. The bill also provides free hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans.

(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“As a veteran I will tell you that I’m proud of what Florida does for veterans; we’re the most veteran-friendly state in all of these United States,” DeSantis said, adding that whenever someone would be assigned to Florida, they would always maintain residency in the Sunshine State.

DeSantis said that he sees this as a very positive thing for the state and its communities and added that state officials have streamlined opportunities for veterans to enter into other career paths once they leave the military.

He noted that he wants to make Florida a good place for veterans and their spouses, and added that spouses of active duty military members are serving, too.

“We have a military member certification pathway that I mentioned about teachers,” DeSantis said. “So we believe that military veterans have a lot to offer to young people and we’ve created an ability for them to get a five-year temporary teaching certificate as they work towards their four-year degree.”

The Heroes in the Classroom program offers a recruitment bonus of $4,000 for veterans who want to become teachers and an additional $1,000 bonus for those who take up teaching jobs in high-demand areas.

DeSantis said that there are veterans that have very significant technical expertise in sciences. He added that the state also recognizes any technical training that they have had in the military, which can be applied to college credits.

The governor noted that the state has not raised tuition fees for state universities and colleges and that fees average around $6,300.

“There’s a lot of opportunities and we want to make sure that we’re helping the veterans realize those opportunities [and] training programs,” DeSantis said.

Published July 03, 2024

Governor says Florida makes preservation of coral reefs a top priority

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(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced June 19 in the Florida Keys that he has made conservation efforts a top priority and will continue to do so through continued appropriations for coral reef restoration.

“We have done, since I’ve been governor, historic investments and conservation efforts in making sure that Florida’s waterways are clean and making sure that we’re restoring the Everglades so water flows to Florida Bay like God intended,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis said that no other administration in the history of the state of Florida has done more to restore and protect the reefs.

(Matt Kieffer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

“This is something that we’ve put a lot of emphasis on, so in March, I did $9.5 million through our coral reef restoration and recovery initiative to support academic and private partnerships that will help safeguard Florida’s coral reefs,” DeSantis said.

In 2023, approximately $57 million was invested in coral reef restoration and coastal protection. DeSantis noted that this year’s budget has allocated the same amount, bringing the total to $114 million since 2019.

“To put that in perspective, what we’ve done in the current year’s budget, what we did in the budget that I signed last week that will take effect July 1…exceeded the total investment requested by the Biden administration for coral reef restoration across the entire United States,” DeSantis said.

The governor noted the importance of coral reefs to the ecosystem and that they also protect the coastline during hurricanes and other major storms.

“Today, we are adding from the budget that I signed, we’ll be able to distribute an additional $5 million dedicated to artificial reefs,” DeSantis said. “This is all in an effort to support the establishment of a new framework for installing, overseeing, and preserving artificial reef habitats in the Florida Keys.”

DeSantis said they are adding additional money to accelerate projects throughout the Sunshine State, some of which were not meant to break ground until at least 2030.

“These are really significant investments, we’re using taxpayer dollars prudently, but these are by far the most substantial investments that we’ve ever done,” DeSantis said. “However, even though we’re doing that…the budget that I signed last week still actually spends less than our current year budget.”

DeSantis also announced that the recreational spiny lobster mini-season will be on July 24 and July 25, with an additional day, July 14, reserved exclusively for Florida residents.

The regular commercial and recreational lobster season will begin on Aug. 6 and end on March 31.

Published July 03, 2024

Mix up your boring meal-planning schedule with a sweet potato salad

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While the joke goes “no great story ever starts with someone eating salad,” many people’s health journeys started that way, as the right ingredients in salads are nutrient-dense, reduce inflammation in the body, and lower the risk of chronic diseases.

And with 90-plus-degree days here with no end in sight, eating something cold is welcomed.

Try a sweet potato salad at your next summer cookout. (Jess Loiterton/Pexels)

Though the go-to image for most people when they think of salad is a bowl of leafy greens and assorted vegetables, there are lots of varieties out there, including those that don’t have leafy greens (or any vegetables) at all.

In fact, salad has more to do with the salt in the dressing than it does vegetables. It comes from the Latin word “sal,” meaning salt. Back in the days of the Roman Empire, salads were covered in salty, oily dressing (which still holds true today).

Hence why pasta salad, egg salad, three bean salad, rice salad, etc., can claim salad in their title.

In my home, salad night is twice a week — spinach salad to be exact.

It’s an easy no-cook meal, and it’s two less meals I have to think of when it’s time to meal plan every week.

I know some people don’t find salads filling or satisfying as a main dish, but by rotating different toppings (hard-boiled eggs, quinoa, orzo, cashews, and so on), I have yet to be bored of salad night. 

Here’s how to boost your salad-building process. Go down this checklist of food groups and make sure you’re not missing anything:

  • Leafy greens as the foundation (the darker the color, the more nutrition it has): iceberg lettuce is mostly water, so focus on spinach, kale, arugula, Swiss chard or red leaf lettuce for more nutritional value.
  • Vegetable and fruit toppings: get a variety of color for the most nutrition. Between carrots, tomatoes, green/yellow/red peppers, beets, onion, cucumber, mushrooms, apples, berries, citrus and so on, it’s easy to make your salad colorful. Whether fresh, canned or frozen, they all count toward your daily vegetable and fruit intake.
  • Grains: barley, couscous, quinoa or brown rice mixed in with your salad, or whole grain bread or rolls as a side dish.
  • Protein: salmon, chicken, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, chickpeas, kidney beans, tofu, black beans, sunflower seeds or chia seeds.
  • Dairy: cheese can be high in calories, so just sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of your preferred cheese. You can also use Greek yogurt as the base of a homemade dressing.
With your choice of greens, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy, you’ll be sure to find a salad combination to match your liking. (Luisa Brimble/Unsplash)

And speaking of dressing, make sure not to overdo it, as prepared dressings (especially cream-based ones) can easily surpass burgers or pizza in calories.

If you’d like to make your own dressing, use this guideline:

  • 3 Tablespoons acid (lemon juice, rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, etc.)
  • ½ cup oil (olive oil, canola oil, etc.)
  • 1 Tablespoon seasoning (herbs, spices, Dijon mustard, parmesan cheese, etc.)

Using one ingredient from each category, mix the acid and seasoning in a container with a tight lid, then add the oil.  

Shake well.  

If you would still rather have something else as your main meal, at least consider a salad as a side dish simply for the health benefits.

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County. Pasco County Extension.

RECIPES
We all know the classic potato salad dish, but have you tried sweet potato salad? Here’s a good recipe from University of Maine Extension:

Sweet Potato Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Makes 6 servings | Serving size: 1 cup

Ingredients
3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch slices
4 teaspoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar or apple juice

Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Place potatoes in roasting pan.
Coat the potatoes with 2 teaspoons of oil, pepper and thyme. Toss well.
Cover pan. (Use aluminum foil; no need for a special pan with a cover.)
Roast 15 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork. Cool.
Toss with remaining olive oil, scallions and apple cider vinegar.
Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve later.

And for a more traditional leafy green salad, try this Whole Meal Salad from Iowa State Extension:

Whole Meal Salad
Ingredients:
2 cups salad greens (romaine, spinach, or mixture)
1 cup chopped vegetables such as cucumber, frozen peas (thawed), onion, tomatoes, carrots, fresh mushrooms or bell peppers
1 egg (cooked and sliced)
1 ounce chicken, beef or pork (cooked and chopped) or 1/4 cup canned beans, drained
1 Tablespoon shredded cheese, chopped dried fruit, or chopped nuts
2 Tablespoons low-fat salad dressing

Directions:
Arrange greens on large plate or bowl.
Add vegetables.
Add egg, meat or beans.
Sprinkle with cheese, dried fruit or nuts.
Drizzle dressing over top.

Published July 03, 2024

Report: Florida rated highly for education, lower for child well-being

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(The Center Square) — A recently released report on the well-being of children gave Florida high marks for education but ranked the state poorly for several other measures.

The nonprofit Annie E. Casey Foundation released its annual Kids Count Data Book, and while Florida ranked among the highest for education, overall health, well-being and economic security came near the bottom of the list.

According to the report, Florida ranks 30th overall, family and community in the Sunshine State was 30th, education was fifth, child health was 31st and economic well-being was 42nd.

It was found that key challenges Florida children faced during the 2021-2022 school year that impacted on school success included chronic absenteeism at nearly 35%. The other big challenge for Florida children was one or more adverse childhood experiences, which was nearly 43%.

(Polk County Public Schools/Facebook)

The report notes that a National Survey of Children’s Health in 2021-22 found that approximately two in five children in the U.S., or around 40%, had undergone an adverse childhood experience.

These include a divorce or separation of their parents, economic hardship, witnessing domestic violence or neighborhood violence, death or living with someone who has a mental illness or a substance use problem.

The economic well-being data for Florida indicated that around 723,000 children in Florida lived in poverty in 2022. Approximately 1.1 million children, or 26%, have parents who lack secure employment; 1.6 million, or 38%, are living in households with a high housing cost burden; and around 70,000 children, or 7%, are teens not in school or not working.

Health indicators showed that Florida had approximately 20,354 low birth-weight babies born in 2022, along with 336,000 children without health insurance, and 1,353 child and teen deaths per 100,000 people.

Family and community indicators showed that there are over 1.5 million children in Florida living in single-parent homes, 398,000 children live in homes where the head of household lacks a high school diploma, and 266,000 children living in high-poverty areas.

Lisa Hamilton, the president and chief executive officer at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, said in the report’s president’s letter that the U.S. is not keeping up with education that will prepare children for the workforce in the future.

“U.S. scores in reading and math have barely budged in decades,” Hamilton said in her letter. “Many of today’s fastest growing occupations require high-level reading, math and digital problem-solving skills that we are not ensuring our children possess.

“Today’s kids will become this country’s mid-21st century workforce — and we as a nation have failed to prepare them.”

Published July 03, 2024

Florida law would address ‘benefits cliff’ to promote self-sufficiency

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(The Center Square) — A bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis will help needy families receive additional help toward what the bill sponsor says will be self-sufficiency.

DeSantis signed House Bill 1267, which would revise the tenants of several commonly used public assistance programs in Florida. These programs include Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Temporary Cash Assistance.

(Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Tarpon Springs, and would address the “benefits cliff” that occurs when a household income slightly increases but results in the household losing its benefits. This can create a barrier to families and discourage financial self-sufficiency.

“The bill replaces handouts with handups, with the new School Readiness Plus program helping families get off these benefit programs completely,” Anderson said in a statement. “We want smooth transitions for those moving from public assistance to financial independence. No family should choose between a pay increase and receiving benefits.”

The bill’s analysis says the majority of program participants are children and adds that benefit cliffs “create a financial disincentive for low-income individuals to earn more income due to the destabilization and uncertainty that often results from a loss in benefits, especially when the benefit lost was essential to a parent’s ability to reliably work.”

The analysis further states that other barriers to financial independence for families include a lack of child care, education and intergenerational poverty. Provisions in the bill include creating a case management system for families transitioning out of the TANF program.

Those participating in the program must provide proof that they are working or looking for work, taking part in a vocational training program, or going to school. Adult general education and high school equivalency exam preparation will now count towards these work requirements.

The Florida Department of Children and Families will expand the mandatory SNAP Employment and Training participation for adults over 18 who do not have children under 18 in their household or qualify for an exemption.

The School Readiness Plus Program will also be created to provide financial assistance to families, allowing parents to maintain access to affordable child care. The bill appropriates $23 million to the Florida Department of Education to implement the School Readiness Subsidy Program that took effect July 1.

Published July 03, 2024

Florida’s Duke Energy customers again voice opposition to rate hike proposal

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(The Center Square) – Florida regulators have held four public meetings over the past several weeks to gather feedback from customers who will be affected by Duke Energy Florida’s proposed base rate hike.

In April, the company petitioned the Florida Public Service Commission to permanently increase its base rates beginning Jan. 1, with annual increases for at least the next three years.

Duke Energy Florida claims that it wants to get a fair rate of return on its investment after going without a rate increase since 2021. The company provides electricity to over 2 million customers and covers an area of 13,000 square miles.

If the rate hike proposal is approved, residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month can expect to pay $169.16, an increase from $157.47. Duke has further requested a minimum bill of $30 per month.

During the June 18 commission customer service hearing, Duke Energy Florida customers voiced their concerns, which centered around the increased cost of living and the price hike, which will put additional strain on families.

Chairman Mike La Rosa stated that the commission will hold a technical hearing in August, during which it will decide whether to approve base rate hikes.

Austin Watrous, an attorney with the Florida Office of Public Counsel, stated that if Duke Energy Florida approves its proposal, base rates will increase in 2025, 2026 and 2027. This would increase the company’s base rate revenue by $593 million for 2025, an additional $98 million the following Jan. 1, 2026, and then by another $129 million on Jan. 1, 2027.

Watrous said the counsel challenges the legality and lack of supporting evidence for these increases and also challenges the reliability and speculative nature of future cost projections. Watrous added that Duke is entitled to a reasonable return. However, in the opinion of the counsel, the proposed rates are an excessive return on equity.

Jordan Luebkemann, representing Florida Rising and the League of United Latin American Citizens, stated that Duke Energy Florida had the fifth-highest residential customer bills in the U.S. in 2023.

“Duke’s proposal includes a minimum bill, a substantial rate increase, and a big hike on the return on equity – essentially guaranteed profits which will be applied to a wave of construction projects that Duke hasn’t shown they needed,” Luebkemann said.

Published July 03, 2024

New sports to try this summer

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Summer is the perfect time to break out of your routine and try something new. If you’re looking for fresh and exciting ways to stay active, there are plenty of innovative sports to explore. From adrenaline-pumping activities to leisurely pastimes, here are some new sports to try this summer:

Pickleball has been gaining popularity because of its ease of learning and increasing access. ((Sye Williams/Getty Images))

1. Pickleball
Why it’s great: Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It’s easy to learn, making it accessible for all ages and fitness levels.
What you need: A pickleball paddle, a perforated plastic ball, and a pickleball court (or a modified tennis court).
Tips:

  • Start with casual games to get the hang of the rules and gameplay.
  • Join a local pickleball club to meet other enthusiasts and improve your skills.

2. Footgolf
Why it’s great: Footgolf is a fun fusion of soccer and golf. Players kick a soccer ball into large cups in as few shots as possible, following the layout of a golf course.
What you need: A soccer ball and access to a footgolf course (many golf courses now offer footgolf).
Tips:

  • Wear comfortable athletic shoes, as soccer cleats are often not allowed on golf courses.
  • Play with friends for a competitive and enjoyable experience.

3. Spikeball
Why it’s great: Spikeball is a high-energy game that’s perfect for the beach or park. It involves bouncing a small ball off a round net set at ankle level with teams of two trying to outscore each other.
What you need: A Spikeball set, which includes the net and ball.
Tips:

  • Practice your hand-eye coordination and agility to excel in the game.
  • Play on a soft surface like grass or sand to prevent injuries from dives and falls.

4. Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga (SUP Yoga)
Why it’s great: SUP Yoga combines the balance and tranquility of stand-up paddleboarding with the flexibility and mindfulness of yoga. It offers a unique way to connect with nature while enhancing your core strength.
What you need: A stand-up paddleboard, paddle and a calm body of water.
Tips:

  • Start with basic yoga poses to get comfortable on the board.
  • Take a class with a certified instructor to learn proper techniques and safety practices.
Bubble Soccer takes soccer to a bouncy new level. (Peter Keleman/Getty Images)

5. Bubble Soccer
Why it’s great: Bubble Soccer, also known as Zorb Soccer, involves players wearing inflatable bubbles that cover their upper bodies and heads. It’s a hilarious and safe way to play soccer, as the bubbles protect you from impacts.
What you need: Inflatable bubble suits, soccer ball and an open field.
Tips:

  • Play with friends or join a local bubble soccer league for organized games.
  • Ensure the playing area is free of obstacles to avoid injuries.

6. Sandboarding
Why it’s great: Sandboarding is the desert equivalent of snowboarding. It’s an exhilarating sport where you ride a board down sand dunes, providing a thrilling experience without the cold.
What you need: A sandboard and access to sand dunes.
Tips:

  • Apply a wax coating to the bottom of your sandboard for a smoother ride.
  • Wear sunglasses and sunscreen to protect against the sun’s glare and UV rays.
Sandboarding brings snowboarding technique to the desert. (Dener Vieira/Pexels)

7. Bossaball
Why it’s great: Bossaball is a unique sport that combines elements of volleyball, soccer, gymnastics and capoeira. It’s played on an inflatable court with a trampoline on each side of the net, making for high-flying and acrobatic gameplay.
What you need: A Bossaball set, including the inflatable court, net and ball.
Tips:

  • Warm up thoroughly to prevent injuries, as the game involves a lot of jumping and dynamic movements.
  • Try different techniques to utilize the trampoline effectively for scoring points.

8. Ultimate Archery
Why it’s great: Ultimate Archery, also known as Archery Tag, combines the strategy of paintball with the precision of archery. Players use foam-tipped arrows and bows to tag opponents and score points.
What you need: A bow, foam-tipped arrows, face mask and a designated play area.
Tips:

  • Practice your archery skills before playing to improve accuracy and confidence.
  • Wear protective gear and follow safety guidelines to prevent injuries.

9. Flowboarding
Why it’s great: Flowboarding is a water sport that combines elements of surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding. It’s done on a simulated wave machine, allowing for endless rides and tricks.
What you need: Access to a flowboarding facility and a flowboard.
Tips:

  • Start with basic maneuvers and gradually progress to more advanced tricks.
  • Take a lesson to learn proper techniques and safety measures.

10. Disc Golf
Why it’s great: Disc golf is a fun and low-impact sport that involves throwing a disc into a series of target baskets in as few throws as possible. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise.
What you need: A set of discs (drivers, mid-range and putters) and access to a disc golf course.
Tips:

  • Learn the different types of throws and techniques to improve your game.
  • Play with friends or join a local disc golf club for social and competitive play.

Trying out new sports can add excitement and variety to your summer activities. From the fast-paced action of Spikeball to the serene balance of SUP Yoga, there’s something for everyone. So, step out of your comfort zone, gather your friends, and make this summer unforgettable by exploring these innovative sports.

Published July 03, 2024

Business Digest 07/03/2024

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FiCare Grand Opening
A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held for FiCare – Healthcare’s Financial Planner on July 10 at 11 a.m., at 26644 Silver Maple Parkway in Wesley Chapel. Admission is free and there will be snacks, drinks and vendors, according to a news release.

Suncoast announces ZooTampa partnership
Suncoast Credit Union has announced a new partnership with ZooTampa at Lowry Park, offering benefits to its 1.2 million members, including a Buy One, Get One (BOGO) offer on zoo tickets from June 19 to Sept. 30, according to a news release. Members can use the BOGO promotion by presenting their Suncoast credit or debit card at the zoo’s ticket gates. Additionally, kids attending summer camp at ZooTampa can open a minor savings account with Suncoast, with the credit union matching the opening deposit up to $20. Suncoast also will be the presenting sponsor of a future zoo feature. For details, visit Suncoast.com/promo/zoo-tampa.

Pasco EDC Annual Awards event announced
The Pasco EDC Annual Awards will be on Sept. 5 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center in Wesley Chapel. Now in its 36th year, it’s billed as a premier business event in Pasco County, attracting over 400 business and community leaders, including state legislators, county commissioners, and city officials, according to a news release. The event features the Annual Industry Awards, which honor local companies for achievements in job creation, capital investment, technology, innovation, and community service. Online registration is now open at PascoEDC.com/events/details/36th-annual-awards. For sponsorship opportunities, contact .

Organizations awarded Bell Seal
Several Tampa Bay organizations have received the 2024 Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health certification from Mental Health America, with the support of Tampa Bay Thrives, a local nonprofit, according to a press release. Bell Seal certification recognizes organizations meeting high standards for promoting worker mental health. The awarded organizations and their achievements are:

  • Champions for Children: Offers 100% no-cost health insurance and mental health services
  • Crisis Center of Tampa Bay: Provides self-care days, a DEI&B Committee and self-care rooms
  • Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County: Revised policies to include six weeks of paid parental leave and allows sick leave for mental health
  • Polk County Board of County Commissioners: Provides mental health support through various programs, including an on-site wellness coach and free gym access.
  • The Mosaic Company: Offers guided self-care, therapy and counseling services.

For more information, visit TampaBayThrives.org.

Pasco County lifts emergency burn ban

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Recent rains have helped lower the drought conditions, allowing Pasco County to lift the Emergency Burn Ban for all areas as of June 27, effective immediately, according to a news release.

While drought conditions improve, it’s important to remember the county is still drier than normal. Pasco County Fire Rescue urges everyone to prioritize safety while burning outdoors. Proper measures and precautions should be taken to protect people from fire danger.

Everyone living in unincorporated areas of Pasco County may resume outdoor burning, including:

  • Open burning
  • Campfires/bonfires
  • Burning yard waste

Anyone planning to conduct an open burn should comply with all Florida Forest Service permitting requirements.

For outdoor burning rules and safety tips, please visit MyPas.co/OutdoorBurning, or contact Pasco Fire Rescue’s Community Risk Reduction Division at 813-929-2750.

New Florida Human Trafficking Strike Team cracking down on border-related crime

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(The Center Square) – A new multi-agency human trafficking strike team has been created in Florida to target border-related crime. As the result of a recent months-long operation, 10 victims were rescued, and several alleged perpetrators were arrested.

Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the creation of the new strike team with law enforcement leaders on June 13. 

“Human trafficking is a challenge for every state,” Moody said.

(Florida Attorney General’s Office/YouTube)

The investigation began in October 2023 in Manatee County after the sheriff’s office acted on a search warrant and turned over information to Homeland Security Investigations and the strike team, FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said. 

Investigators identified businesses that were commercial fronts for sex trafficking operations in Manatee and Hillsborough counties, where alleged ringleader Lina Payne recruited women from Columbia and allegedly held them hostage in Florida. She then allegedly forced them to have sex to pay off their debt to bring them into the country under threat of violence. 

“What we found was a fully functional, highly organized international human trafficking operation” based in Hillsborough and Manatee counties, Brutnell said. Payne was allegedly making frequent international trips to Latin American countries where the victims were living and were later trafficked through the border into Florida, he said. 

The victims had no accessible modes of transportation, their identification documents were taken from them, their food was delivered to them, they were forced to live inside massage parlors, barber shops and other businesses, where they could not leave, he said.  

Payne’s alleged accomplices — her boyfriend, Sebastian Jurado, and her son, Andres Payne — were involved in recruiting women from Venezuela and Colombia who agreed to pay between $40,000 and $50,000 to be smuggled across the southwest border into the U.S., according to the investigation. Payne allegedly promised them legitimate work, but once they arrived, they were held hostage. 

At one point during the investigation, it appeared Payne was attempting to flee the country and was arrested at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Not soon after, her boyfriend and son were arrested in Tampa. Another alleged trafficker remains at large. Each defendant faces multiple felony charges and is being prosecuted by Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Through the course of the investigation, the strike team rescued 10 victims. They also believe they identified more than 117 victims of Payne’s trafficking operation over years. 

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said the victims “were brought here to Florida and had no idea what hell they were being brought into. We’re talking about human lives. If someone was drowning, we’d go out and save them. These are people who are lost out at sea, in hell, living in captivity. We are going to rescue them.”

While he said he was glad they caught the traffickers, he said, “there are a lot of evil people who pay to have forced sex, rape, with these women.” 

One way to break the cycle of sex trafficking was to enhance criminal penalties “against people who are buying and forcing sex on and raping women.” Another is to create a civil penalty to enable victims “to easily sue” their abusers, he said. “If we take away the livelihoods of the people buying and forcing sex on victims, take their houses, cars, … it will set a tone. Just like everything else we do in Florida, we will protect people.”

Moody said, “The disturbing facts of this case highlight the need for our new statewide Strike Team, and demonstrate how this expert team of investigators, prosecutors, analysts, and victims’ advocates can help coordinate efforts to take down trafficking operations and rescue victims.”

The new strike team is providing intelligence, guidance and support to law enforcement agencies statewide and is also coordinating emergency victim support services. The team works directly with Florida’s new statewide human trafficking tip line, 855-FLA-SAFE. 

It’s currently assisting local law enforcement efforts with more than 20 human trafficking cases and making contact with nearly 40 victims—including the 10 victims from this investigation, Moody said. 

Also joining Moody in making the announcement were FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Colonel Chris Rule, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Major Todd Shears and Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Special Agent in Charge John Condon.

Published June 26, 2024