The Adventures of Florida Man

Published 2 hours ago
Florida man, sons sold toxic bleach as coronavirus cure, authorities say
A judge's April order to halt sales of the product was ignored, authorities say
By David Aaro | Fox News

A Florida man and his three sons are accused of selling a toxic bleachlike chemical mixture as a miracle cure for the novel coronavirus and other diseases, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

Mark Grenon, 62, and sons, Jonathan, 34; Jordan, 26; and Joseph, 32, allegedly marketed and sold Miracle Mineral Solution (“MMS”) through an entirety called the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, according to the criminal complaint. A federal judge in Miami had ordered the church to stop selling the substance in April, but the order was ignored, authorities said.

“Not only is this MMS product toxic, but its distribution and use may prevent those who are sick from receiving the legitimate healthcare they need," said Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida. "A United States District Court already has ordered the defendants to stop distributing this product; we will not sit idly by as individuals purposefully violate Court orders and put the public in danger.”

The Grenons allegedly directed their customers to ingest the MMS orally, which causes it to become chlorine dioxide, a powerful bleaching agent normally used for "industrial water treatment or bleaching textiles, pulp and paper," according to the complaint.

The Food and Drug Administration said that drinking MMS is the same as drinking bleach and can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and life-threatening low blood pressure. Some people who drank MSS were hospitalized, developed life-threatening conditions, and died, federal officials said.

Before it was marketed as a cure for COVID-19, the Grenons presented it as a remedy for autism, cancer, and HIV/AIDS, the complaint said.

"Making claims that unproven drugs, especially potentially dangerous and unapproved chlorine dioxide products, can cure or prevent COVID-19 or any other disease is unacceptable," said Catherine Hermsen, assistant commissioner of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations.

"The Genesis II Church of Health and Healing has actively and deliberately placed consumers at risk with their fraudulent Miracle Mineral Solution and Americans expect and deserve medical treatments that have been scientifically proven to be safe and effective."

The complaint said the Grenons initially agreed to abide by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams' order that they stop selling the solution, before changing their tone in podcasts and emails to the judge herself.

“We will NOT be participating in any of your UNCONSTITUTIONAL Orders, Summons, etc," one email from Mark Grenon read. “Again and again I have written you all that ... you have NO authority over our Church."

The Grenons are charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S., conspiracy to violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and criminal contempt, according to the complaint.

Florida has witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases within the last month. More than 10,000 new infections were reported Tuesday, according to the Florida Department of Public Health. As of early Thursday, the state has seen at least 223,783 total confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 3,889 deaths.

Florida woman called 911 after her refrigerator broke; cops bring new one
Officers did remind her that 911 is for emergencies, however
By Michael Hollan | Fox News

Is your refrigerator running?

While people typically call 911 for crimes, one woman used it for a different type of emergency. When her refrigerator broke and she didn’t have the money to fix it, she called the cops to see if they could help.

It turns out, they could.

Cheryl Nanartonis, from Jensen Beach, Fla., called 911 to ask for help with her fridge, The Orlando Sentinel reports. When officers arrived, they informed her that 911 is meant for emergencies only. Fortunately for her, they also decided to see what they could do to help her.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office posted about the incident on Facebook, writing, “Cheryl Nanartonis believed she was in crisis, her refrigerator broke down and her food was going to spoil. She said her resources were limited and she didn’t have the funds to buy a replacement. So Cheryl called 911.

Although 911 is reserved for emergencies only, deputies were dispatched to Cheryl’s Jensen Beach home. They explained to Cheryl the importance of reserving 911 for emergencies only. But that’s not all.”

The post continues, “Realizing how upset Cheryl was, they knew they couldn’t clear the call without taking action. So Deputy Marcum, Deputy Elliot and Sgt. Flynn made arrangements with the Jensen Beach Goodwill to donate a gently used refrigerator to Cheryl. The deputies even had it delivered, and Cheryl was back on track.”

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office concluded the post by thanking Sam Fincher and Peggy Brewer at the local goodwill for helping them solve Nanartonis’ problem.

Florida Man Receives $3.9 Million in COVID-19 Relief Funds, Buys a Lamborghini and Gets Arrested for Fraud
Josiah Bates, Time • July 27, 2020

A Florida man has been charged with fraud and other criminal offenses after receiving $3.9 million in COVID-19 relief funds and using the money to purchase, among other things, a Lamborghini.

David T. Hines, 29, was arrested on Friday and charged on Monday according to a statement by the Department of Justice. Over $3 million has been seized from his bank accounts along with the sports vehicle.

Authorities allege that Hines fraudulently applied for about $13.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for a few companies. PPP, part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, was enacted on March 29 to provide small businesses with forgivable loans. Any money given to a company on behalf of the program is supposed to be used for rent or mortgage costs, employee salaries and utilities.
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According to the DOJ’s statement, Hines lied on the loan applications and made inaccurate statements about the expenses of the companies, including the amount paid to employees.

“Those purported employees either did not exist or earned a fraction of what Hines claimed in his PPP applications,” U.S. Postal Inspector Bryan Masmela says in an affidavit, according to the Miami Herald. “Collectively, Hines falsely claimed his companies paid millions of dollars in payroll in the first quarter of 2020. State and bank records, however, show little to no payroll expense during this period.”

Hines was approved for funding and received $3.9 million. Just a few days after getting the money, he bought the Lamborghini for $318,000. He is also alleged to have purchased luxury items from stores and resorts.

In the past few weeks, Florida has become one of the hotspots for U.S. COVID-19 cases and recently passed New York for having the second-most confirmed cases in the country, behind California.

Hines was in federal custody over the weekend, released on bond on Monday and is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 14.

Published 1 hour ago
Florida man allegedly fatally shoots mom after arguments over orange juice, air conditioning: report
'I killed her. Take me to jail,' the man allegedly told police
By David Aaro | Fox News

A Florida man turned himself in to police on Sunday after he allegedly shot his mother to death following a series of arguments involving a car, orange juice and an air conditioning remote control, according to reports.

Luis Martin Pages, 29, of North Miami Beach, called 911 on Sunday, telling authorities he “lost it” and shot his mother at a home in the Miami area, a police report said. The victim, Miriam Gonzalez, 59, was found dead at the scene.

“I killed her. Take me to jail," Pages allegedly told an officer who arrived at the home around 5 p.m., police said, according to Miami's WPLG.


Luis Martin Pages, 29, of North Miami Beach, called 911 on Sunday, telling authorities he “lost it” and shot his mother. (Miami-Dade County corrections)

Pages allegedly told detectives that a series of arguments led to the fatal shooting, including disputes over borrowing his mother’s car and then about orange juice in the fridge. He allegedly said his mother threatened him with a knife. Pages asked for the air conditioning remote, which led to another argument, according to the arrest report.

He allegedly shot his mother multiple times, before turning the gun on himself, the station reported. Pages allegedly told investigators he called 911 after realizing the gun was out of bullets.

He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center around 1 a.m. on Monday, jail records show.

He was given no bond and could face life in prison.

Janitor Turns Heads in Florida With Leaf Blower-Powered Vehicle

A Florida man was scalped by a black panther after he paid $150 for an illegal 'full contact' experience at a backyard animal sanctuary
Sophia Ankel, INSIDER • October 30, 2020


Michael Poggi with a black leopard in his backyard enclosure in Davie, Florida in a YouTube video posted on April 25, 2013. It is unclear whether this is the animal involved in the attack. Michael


A Florida man was mauled by a black panther - a leopard with excessive black pigments - during a $150 "full-contact experience" at a backyard enclosure near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to local media.

Dwight Turner's injuries from the attack, which happened on August 31, were so bad that his scalp was "hanging from his head and his right ear was torn in half," his attorneys have said.

The leopard was owned by Florida local Michael Poggi who, according to his social media pages, runs an animal sanctuary for rare and endangered animals in his backyard.

Poggi has admitted that he was illegally charging people for contact experiences with the leopard. He was also charged with allowing full contact with a dangerous animal.

A man requires multiple surgeries after a black panther mauled him during an illegal "full-contact experience" at a backyard enclosure near Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Pictures obtained by the local news station Local 10 News show the man, Dwight Turner, with a heavily bandaged head and ear after the attack, which officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission say happened on August 31.
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Turner paid $150 to play with, take pictures, and rub the belly of a black panther - a leopard with excessive black pigments - which belonged to Florida local Michael Poggi. His Facebook page and YouTube channel says he runs an animal sanctuary for rare and endangered animals.

Upon entering the enclosure behind Poggi's home, Turner was attacked by the large cat, leaving him with gruesome injuries.

According to an audit report released on Thursday, Turner's scalp was "hanging from his head and his right ear was torn in half," Local 10 reported.

The 50-year-old had to spend a week in the emergency room due to the injuries he suffered, his attorneys said.

Poggi has since admitted to police that he was illegally charging people for contact experiences with the leopard, authorities said. He has been charged with allowing full contact with an extremely dangerous animal.

The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida has criticized Poggi for having the leopard in captivity in his home.

Campaigns coordinator Nick Atwood told LADBible: "It is far too common for small zoos and quasi-sanctuaries in Florida to sell photo ops, play sessions, or other 'interactions' with exotic animals. Both people and animals are put in harm's way when the public comes into direct contact with captive wild animals."

Florida police say man dies after jumping off resort balcony with parachute: report
Authorities said the man was BASE jumping
By David Aaro | Fox News

A man has died after jumping from a Florida resort balcony with a parachute, police said, according to reports on Sunday.

The unidentified man reportedly jumped from the 14-floor balcony at the Sunrise Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, WMBB reported.

Authorities said the man was BASE jumping and his parachute didn't open in time, according to the station.

Officials believe the man was in his 20s, Panama City's WJHG-TV reported. It's not clear if he was an out-of-state resident.

Panama City Beach, a popular spring break destination, is located about 100 miles southwest of Tallahassee.

His cellmate passed too much gas. So he knocked out two teeth, Florida Keys cops say
David Goodhue, Miami Herald
Fri, November 5, 2021, 11:34 AM

Christopher James Callen had been serving time in Monroe County jail in the Florida Keys on a charge of failing to register as a sex offender since September.

On Thursday, he attacked his 57-year-old cellmate, beating him so badly that he knocked two of the other man’s teeth out and broke one of his ribs, according to the sheriff’s office.

The reason for Callen’s rage, he told deputies, was because his cellmate “passes gas too often and doesn’t give any courtesy flushes when using the toilet,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.

The other man, whom the sheriff’s office did not name, was taken to the Lower Keys Medical Center for treatment for his injuries.

Callen was originally arrested on Sept. 13, according to Monroe County Clerk of the Court records. He is listed on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s sexual offender database for his Sept. 7, 2012, conviction for felony menacing in Boulder, Colorado.

Voicemail threatening to blow up her son's school because he wanted more food at lunch
Taylor Ardrey
Sat, April 23, 2022, 9:28 AM

A Florida mom was arrested after being accused of making threats at her son's school over lunch.

Officials told WFOL Anaya Smith was charged with making a false bomb report.

Smith denied leaving the threatening voicemail at Cocoa High School, the report said.

A 41-year-old Florida mother was arrested this week after being accused of threatening to blow up her son's school because he wanted more food at lunch.

Law enforcement officials said the woman, Anaya Smith, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with making a false bomb threat, The Associated Press and WOFL reported.

Per WOFL, police said someone called Cocoa High School and left a threatening voicemail filled with obscenities on February 3.

"If you don't start feeding my mother fucking children better at that bitch I'm gonna come round that bitch and blow that mother fucker up," the person allegedly said, according to the outlet — citing court records.

The school was evacuated, and no explosives were found on the premises, according to the reports. Although she reportedly didn't identify herself, Smith's number was shown on caller ID.

According to the affidavit, an investigation into the matter revealed that her son got into an argument with a cafeteria worker over food portions the same day as the voicemail.

In addition, an SRO officer said he recognized Smith's on the recording due to having previous confrontations with her, WFOL reported. The AP reported that prosecutors filed paperwork ordering Smith's arrest on April 7.

However, Smith told WFOL that she doesn't "talk like that" — referring to the voicemail, and said she is innocent.

"It was just total shock," she told WOFL while leaving the jail facility. "Especially when you're sitting in there, and you know you haven't done anything wrong."