Tampa

Published on: June 12, 2020

Three Tampa Bay-Area Men Charged in Conspiracy to Defraud U.S. Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has announced charges against three Tampa Bay-area men accused of conspiring to defraud the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and making false statements regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Ghasan Awad of Safety Harbor, Bassam Al Saleh of Tampa, and Ahmad Al Saleh of Tampa are charged with conspiracy to defraud USDA and making false statements to the USDA regarding SNAP. Awad also faces charges of wire fraud and obtaining SNAP benefits in violation of federal statutes. The Al Salehs each face three counts of making certain false statements to the USDA. It is unclear if any of the three has acquired legal representation.

Published on: May 25, 2020

Tampa Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS

by Brian Silber

The Department of Justice has announced charges against Muhammed Momtaz Al-Azhari of Tampa, FL, for allegedly trying to provide “material support” to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and scouting a Tampa area for a possible terrorist attack.

Al-Azhari, 23, was charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. He is being held in the Pinellas County Jail. Attorney information isn’t immediately available.

Published on: May 8, 2020

Tampa Woman Arrested on DUI Charges in Connection with Fatal Wrong-Way Crash in Largo, FL

by Brian Silber

Police in Largo, FL, have announced the arrest of a Tampa woman accused of driving in the wrong lane and crashing head-on into another vehicle, killing one person and injuring three others, including two children.

Britney Lynn Crawford, 27, faces charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI causing serious injury, vehicular homicide, and child neglect. She was booked into jail Sunday and was ordered held on $70,000. She bonded out of jail the following day. Attorney information wasn’t available.

Published on: April 27, 2020

Monica Racy Arrested in Sumter County, FL, after Police Find Drugs in Her Vehicle

by Brian Silber

Police in Sumter County, FL. announced the arrest of a 20-year-old Villages Charter School graduate after she was caught with a large quantity of drugs in her vehicle last Monday.

Monica Racy, 20, was arrested on multiple charges of drug possession with intent to distribute. She was ordered held on $24,000 bond at the Sumter County Detention Center. Attorney information wasn’t available.

Published on: March 6, 2020

Seth Lapensohn of Tampa, FL, Arrested in Suspected DUI Crash that Killed Bicyclis

by Brian Silber

Police in Tampa, FL, announced the arrest of a 22-year-old man who allegedly struck and killed a bicyclist on Wednesday night and fled the scene.

Seth Lapensohn faces a felony charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and a misdemeanor DUI charge. He is being held in the Hillsborough County Jail on $15,500 bond. The press did not name an attorney for him.