The new year brought the arrest and charges against eight defendants allegedly calling themselves the "headshot committee."  Over a five week period, the defendants, who range in age from 17 to 21 years old, were allegedly involved in a violent crime spree that occurred throughout Palm Beach County.  The crimes allegedly included three murders, an attempted murder, home invasion robberies, kidnapping and racketeering (RICO). The alleged murders include the killing of  two convenience store clerks which was featured on America's Most Wanted television show last summer.  The third murder victim was a high school student shot outside a nightclub.
State Attorney Michael McAuliffe called the alleged crimes, "a category 5 hurricane of violence."  The prosecution of gang violence is a top priority for the State Attorney's Office and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.  The investigation is the product of a partnership among the State Attorney's Office, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Division, Greenacres Public Safety Department and the Boca Raton Police Department.  The investigations are ongoing.

The State Attorney considers  investigating and prosecuting elder abuse and exploitation as a high priority for the office.   The State Attorney's Office has put emphasis on prosecuting crimes against the significant senior population in Palm Beach County by designating an elder abuse prosecutor.  The elder abuse prosecutor coordinates the numerous elder abuse investigations and prosecutions within Palm Beach County and provides a community resource for other law enforcement agencies and for senior citizens. 

One important new initiative of the State Attorney's Office is a new community-wide agreement that will help authorities better coordinate their efforts and provide assistance to elderly victims of crime.  This protocol consists of procedures and contacts among the State Attorney's Office, Department of Children and Families (DCF) and law enforcement when an incident may involve the abuse or exploitation of the elderly or a vulnerable adult.  This protocol will help authorities better provide assistance to victims and build stronger cases. 

Another initiative is "Operation Spot Check."  Spot Check includes largely unannounced inspections of nursing homes and adult living facilities in Palm Beach County.  The State Attorney's Office coordinates the inspections, bringing together all agencies that are responsible for adult protective services in our community.

If you or a senior you know is a victim of a crime, whether physical or financial, this should be reported immediately to law enforcement.  If you suspect that you or someone you know is a victim of elder abuse, contact the Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96ABUSE.

Assistant State Attorney Angela Miller addressed the media at a press conference which announced an 18-month long investigation named "Operation Easy Money."

In cooperation with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, the Department of Children and Families and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State Attorney's Office charged 62 people with public assistance fraud.  According to law enforcement, these defendants allegedly obtained food stamps and failed to disclose income or employment that would have made them ineligible for public assistance.  Investigators alleged that each food stamp recipient illegally received between $2,000 to more than $14,000. 

In addition, the operators of a Belle Glade food store were charged with theft and fraud in relation to the operation of the store.  Store employees allegedly would ring through a food item purchase, then unlawfully provide cash back to the recipients and retain a portion of the money for themselves.  The charges involve an estimated combined total of $300,000 in food stamp fraud. 

Citizens who suspect public assistance fraud are encouraged to call the Department of Children and Families toll free at 1-866-762-2237 or www.dcf.state.fl.us/access/ReportFraud/MainForm.aspx.

Boynton Beach High School Teacher Geri Grocki and Assistant State Attorney Greg Schiller

Assistant State Attorney Greg Schiller knows a thing or two about Internet safety.  He is assigned to the office's Special Victims Unit (SVU) / Predator Unit  where he prosecutes child pornography cases.  To educate young people about the dangers of the Internet, Greg has spoken to over 20 middle and high schools in Palm Beach County since September 2009.  His topics include cyber bullying, sexting, sextortion and online predators.

If you would like to arrange for an Internet safety presentation at your school or organization, please contact Greg Schiller at [email protected].

At a press conference, State Attorney Michael McAuliffe and Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw announced the arrests of 15 members of the Belle Glade street gang known as the "Jackboyz."  The gang members were charged with state racketeering (RICO) and consipiracy to commit RICO.  Additonal charges were filed against several defendants including attempted first degree murder, felony possession of a firearm, robbery and battery. 

These arrests are the culmination of an extensive six month investigation called "Operation Jack in the Box." The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Gang Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the State Attorney's Office.  The Boynton Beach Police Department and the West Palm Beach Police Department assisted in arresting the alleged gang members.  This operation is just one of several gang cases that have been undertaken to combat the gang violence in Palm Beach County.  While the allegations in this case focus on Belle Glade, the gang activity exists across all of Palm Beach County.  The investigation is ongoing. 

The State Attorney's Office welcomed 50 pre-school children from the Head Start program in West Palm Beach for a morning of reading.  State Attorney Michael McAuliffe, several Assistant State Attorneys and staff  read books to the children.  Each child left the office with a book to keep.  The books were donated by Sydney McAuliffe.  The YWCA runs the local Head Start program.

Michael F. McAuliffe

State Attorney

Fifteenth Judicial Circuit  

in and for 

Palm Beach County, Florida

Secure Justice
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