Florida
Florida sheriff encourages illegal aliens to self-deport ahead of Trump inauguration: 'Southbound and down'
A Florida sheriff is combating illegal immigration by sharing a bold statement with those who are in the state illegally ahead of President-elect Trump’s inauguration.
“And I leave with this message: ‘Southbound and down.’ Do it yourself. You can self-deport and avoid a lot of prison sentence, but it’s time. Southbound and down,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Grady was joined by Gov. Ron DeSantis and several other local and state officials during the press conference held Winter Haven to discuss actions to combat illegal immigration.
Judd said a crackdown on illegal immigration would help reduce crime.
FLORIDA PROPOSAL WOULD BAR ILLEGAL MIGRANTS IN THE US FROM ATTENDING SOME COLLEGES
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
“Florida needs to set the example for the other states and support the president [Trump] to get rid of these criminals who are victimizing our people,” Judd said.
During the press conference, Judd also shared several specific examples of crimes involving illegal immigrants, including cases of murder, DUI manslaughter and organized theft rings.
DeSantis echoed Judd and said he was confident that the second Trump administration would take swift action against the outgoing Biden administration’s immigration policy.
FLORIDA SHERIFF TO CONGRESS AFTER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS NABBED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROBE: ‘SHAME ON ALL OF THEM’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed to help President-elect Trump crack down on illegal immigration. (Getty Images)
“We in Florida have a sense of urgency to accomplish this mission,” DeSantis said. “The mission is very simple: We need to end the illegal immigration crisis once and for all in these United States of America.”
Florida sued the Biden administration on several different occasions, including over its “illegal” catch-and-release policies at the southern border and, most recently, its alleged refusal to help the state purge noncitizens from voter rolls in the 2024 election.
FLORIDA HUMAN TRAFFICKING STING NABS 157 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 25 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Then-President Trump greets Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis during a campaign rally on Oct. 31, 2018, in Estero, Fla. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
DeSantis scheduled a special session to begin the week after Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration to fund efforts to address illegal immigration, including detention and relocation. The governor has said the state must work to support Trump’s promises to tackle illegal immigration and ensure that “we don’t have any lingering incentives for people to come into our state illegally.”
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In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump thanked DeSantis for calling a special session, saying “hopefully other Governors will follow!”
Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
Florida
Florida woman confesses to stabbing 76-year-old roommate to death, authorities say
A Florida woman confessed to stabbing her 76-year-old roommate to death before covering his body with a tarp, stealing his truck and driving away from the scene, according to authorities.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Shannon R. Giblin, 48.
Shannon R. Giblin (Photo: Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)
In a news release, the sheriff’s office said deputies were dispatched to a home on Sunday after they received a report about a person who was not breathing. When they arrived at the home, they found a man, later identified as Paul De Wayne Bradley, who was dead.
Police said they tracked Giblin down in Bradley’s truck, which was missing from the driveway, in Sarasota County.
“As Charlotte County detectives questioned Giblin, she provided a confession to stabbing Bradley following an argument,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said in the release.
“After realizing that the victim was beyond help, Giblin then covered Bradley with a tarp and left the scene in the victim’s pickup truck,” Prummell added.
Online jail records show Giblin was charged with second-degree murder, as well as grand theft of a motor vehicle.
“I want to recognize my Major Crimes detectives who worked this case through the night and identified the suspect quickly,” Prummell said. “They truly show a dedication to their craft and the results are irrefutable. I also want to thank the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for their quick actions in locating and detaining her based on the intelligence my team was able to share. As I have always said, Southwest Florida is fortunate to have law enforcement who work together so effectively for the people we serve.”
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Giblin is being held without bond, according to the release.
Florida
Florida No Kings protests planned for Stuart, Fort Pierce
There are two No Kings protests planned for the Treasure Coast; one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce.
No Kings Day protests are scheduled for March 28, with over a thousand protests planned across the United States.
Organizers say the No Kings events will challenge President Donald Trump as he escalates “his attempts to control us.” Dozens of protests are planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast.
Here’s what to know about the protests.
What is a No Kings protest?
No Kings is a nationwide protest organized in response to President Donald Trump and his administration.
“It is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another and our country,” according to the nokings.org website. “If he believes we will roll over and allow him to take our freedoms, he is mistaken.”
One core principle of No Kings is a commitment to nonviolent action. The organization’s website states participants should seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with dissenters and act lawfully.
No Kings protest in Stuart
No Kings protest in Fort Pierce
No Kings protests in Florida
There are dozens of protests planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast, with one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce. Find a protest near you.
Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com, 317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.
Florida
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