Attorney General Moody: Criminals Taking Advantage of Hurricane Ian Victims Need To Be ‘Behind Bars As Long As Legally Possible’

Published Sep. 30, 2022, 2:41 p.m. ET | Updated Sep. 30, 2022

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TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Attorney General Ashley Moody says anyone who might try to take advantage of Floridians displaced or harmed by Hurricane Ian will spend the maximum time allowed by law behind bars, according to a press release.

On Friday, Moody sent a memo to state attorneys in all 20 judicial circuits in Florida, outlining state law requiring that no defendant charged with a theft crime committed in an area under a declared state of emergency may be released prior to a first appearance hearing.  

In addition, Moody requests that state attorneys seek pretrial detention to the fullest extent possible for defendants who commit crimes during the current state of emergency.

Florida Statute §907.041(4)(b) directs that no non-monetary releases shall be granted for dangerous crimes at the first appearance hearing under certain circumstances.

“Floridians displaced by Hurricane Ian have enough to worry about without having to fear theft or burglary at the hands of offenders previously arrested for crimes during the state of emergency. These unscrupulous offenders must remain locked up where they can no longer prey on vulnerable Floridians. I strongly urge state attorneys to seek pretrial detention to the fullest extent possible for any criminal heartless enough to victimize Floridians during this extremely challenging time.”

Attorney General Ashley Moody

To read the full memo from Moody, click here.

Moody also is also encouraging Floridians to report price gouging on the “No Scam” app.

“No Scam” is an app designed to help people report allegations of price gouging in real-time and allow information on possible violations be sent to the Attorney General’s Office immediately.

The app can be downloaded for free via Apple and Android stores by searching “No Scam” and is available in English and Spanish.

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