Lake Worth Beach Bakery owner taken into custody by ICE

Lake Worth Beach business owner arrested in ICE operation

family, community push back on agency's claims

ICE says Jacob Zapeta Castro is a 'criminal illegal alien' who has been deported 4 times

A Lake Worth bakery owner is in federal custody after Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested him in what the agency is calling a targeted immigration operation — and his family, coworkers, and community members are pushing back on ICE's characterization of the man.

The arrest of Jacob Zapeta Castro happened at a Guatemalan bakery on Lucerne Avenue, just over the train tracks in Lake Worth Beach, on a day that employees say started like any other.

ICE says Zapeta Castro is "a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala who has been removed from the United States four times and has an extensive criminal history including illegal re-entry after deportation, multiple DUI arrests, hit and run, and resisting law enforcement."

According to ICE, officers encountered a vehicle associated with Zapeta Castro around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. When they attempted to stop him, the agency says he tried to ram an ICE vehicle, then got out, fled, and barricaded himself inside the bakery.

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Jacob Zapeta Castro is the owner of El Quetzal Panaderia Y Cafeteria on Lucerne Avenue in Lake Worth Beach, FL. He was taken into federal custody during a joint U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) operation.

Florida Competes for Fourth Straight Best-Looking Cruiser Title~

The Florida Highway Patrol Enters 2026 National Best Looking Cruiser Contest

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officially entered the 2026 American Association of State Troopers (AAST) “Best Looking Cruiser” competition while simultaneously celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. For the last three years, FHP’s iconic black‑and‑tan cruisers have earned the “Best Looking Cruiser” title, making Florida the first state in contest history to win three consecutive years.

This year, we are asking all Floridians and FHP supporters across the country to help us make history once again.

Voting begins Monday, June 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST and continues through Monday, July 13, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EST. The top 13 states with the most votes will be featured in the 2027 wall calendar, and the top‑voted cruiser will appear on the cover.

Help us place FHP’s cruiser at the top of the AAST competition by casting your vote and selecting Florida as home to the best‑looking cruiser in the United States for the fourth year in a row.

Vote here Scroll to bottom to vote.

Florida Man charged grand theft

and possession of a controlled radiation device without a license...involving property valued between $10,000 and $20,000

Florida Man Accused of Selling Radioactive Device on Facebook

A Bradenton man faces felony charges after Florida Highway Patrol investigators say he attempted to sell a radioactive industrial device through Facebook Marketplace.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 24-year-old Marco Antonio Benitez Jr. was arrested on May 28 following an investigation into the theft and possession of a Moisture Density Gauge, a specialized piece of equipment used in construction and engineering projects to measure soil and asphalt density.

Authorities said the device, valued between $10,000 and $20,000, contains a radioactive isotope known as Cesium-137 (Cs-137), making it a tightly regulated piece of equipment that can only be possessed and operated by licensed individuals.

The investigation began on May 26 after the Florida Highway Patrol’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence received information that the device was being offered for sale through Facebook Marketplace.

Investigators arranged a meeting with the seller to purchase the gauge. When the seller failed to appear at the agreed-upon location, state troopers went to Benitez’s residence in Bradenton to continue the investigation.

Troopers assigned to the Florida Highway Patrol’s Preventative Radiological Nuclear Detection unit conducted a radiation screening from outside the residence. According to the agency, the screening produced an industrial-level alert indicating radioactive material was present inside the home.

Investigators subsequently located the moisture density gauge inside the residence. Officials said the device remained intact and that its radioactive source had not been damaged. The gauge was seized and secured as evidence.

“The Florida Highway Patrol is home to some of the most sophisticated and technically experienced criminal investigators,” Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner said in a statement. “Their efforts, along with the efforts of BCII and CIU Troopers, led to this important arrest, and Florida is safer as a result.”

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Pedestrian on I-95 killed

Deadly pedestrian crash shuts down I-95 North for hours in Lake Worth Beach

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. — A deadly crash involving a pedestrian shut down all lanes of I-95 North in Lake Worth Beach early Friday morning.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the crash happened just after 3 a.m. just before the 10th Avenue North exit. Investigators say a pedestrian was walking in the outside center lane when she was struck by a vehicle.

The driver continued northbound on I-95 after hitting the pedestrian. The victim was then run over by additional vehicles, according to FHP.

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Prostesting ICE in Lantana

Protesters gathered Saturday outside the Florida Highway Patrol station in Lantana

Voicing concerns over recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and expressing solidarity with demonstrators in Minneapolis following a deadly shooting there.

The demonstration took place near the intersection of Lantana Road and 13th Street, where protesters banged pots and pans and held signs as traffic passed.

“I’m here to stand up for the people who are being kidnapped,” said Rick White, who attended the protest.

Lake Worth Beach Commissioner Dr. Christopher McVoy said he has seen changes in his community. “The fear is widespread in our community,” McVoy said. “[People] don’t go out without their papers because they’re afraid they’re going to get racially profiled.”

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The Supreme Court ruling allows ICE to consider race, employment, and language (e.g., speaking Spanish or English with an accent) as factors in determining "reasonable suspicion" for immigration stops.

So, years ago, Lake Worth Beach officials encouraged illegals to cross our borders and come to our city. They are a part of the problem.

Drug Bust on Florida's Turnpike

Nearly $15M in cocaine seized in massive drug bust, officials announce in West Palm Beach

Florida officials say a joint operation between state and federal law enforcement intercepted 173 kilograms of cocaine — worth an estimated $14.7 million — during a traffic stop on the Florida Turnpike earlier this month.

Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon at the DEA Palm Beach Field Office, joined by Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner. The event focused on public safety and law enforcement collaboration, highlighting the major drug interdiction success.

The DEA’s West Palm Beach office had alerted FHP to intelligence regarding a semi-truck suspected of transporting narcotics from the Mexican-Texas border into South Florida. Acting swiftly, FHP’s Criminal Interdiction Unit located the vehicle traveling southbound and conducted a lawful traffic stop for inspection.

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FHP Cruiser, Out of this World - Best looking Cruiser Contest

FHP launches campaign to win ‘America’s Best-Looking Cruiser’

This year’s FHP cruiser submission is out of this world!

The Florida Highway Patrol and our very own Dave Kerner, has called on Floridians to help rocket past their competition as they defend their title of “America’s Best-Looking Cruiser.”

As defending champions, FHP has entered the 2024 American Association of State Troopers “Best Looking Cruiser” competition.

Vote for Florida

Speech and assembly rights are not a hall pass to disturb the public

DeSantis Sends Florida Troopers to Palestinian Protests

Florida responds to wake of college protests

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has sent Florida state troopers to control pro-Palestinian protestors.

Top officials have confirmed that the Florida governor has directed the Florida Highway Patrol to respond to these protests. "On countless occasions, campus and local law enforcement has requested the assistance of Florida Highway Patrol. And on countless other occasions, we have proactively assisted campus and local law enforcement," said Dave Kerner, executive director of the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles, which oversees the highway patrol.

Last week a total of 37 protestors were arrested across the campuses of UF, FSU, USF and UNF. Florida first responders even deployed the use of tear gas to quell protestors.

For DeSantis, this is a battle against antisemitism and is proud of the job Florida has done in combatting these demonstrations in comparison to "elite" colleges like USC in California. The governor stated last week, "elite colleges and universities that have allowed themselves to be overrun with encampments, graffiti as well as a lot of really nasty antisemitism."

Read about our great governor

Florida Highway Patrol Apprehended Chinese illegals

Florida Highway Patrol Assist in Apprehension of 17 Chinese Nationals Following Illegal Landing in Key Largo

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) announced the capture and detention of 20 undocumented arrivals who landed in Key Largo by boat. On October 22nd, FHP responded to Mile Marker 109 in Monroe County at the request of U.S. Border Patrol to set up a secure perimeter and to assist in the apprehension of the suspects.

The undocumented arrivals consisted of 17 subjects from China (11 adult males, six adult females) and three from Ecuador (all adult males).

“While the Biden Administration has completely failed at border security, our Florida Highway Patrol troopers stand ready to protect the U.S. border, whether in the southwestern United States or here off the coast of Florida,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “This detention of Chinese nationals shows how an open border allows individuals from enemy nations to enter our communities.”

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We have China buying land near military bases. They have built a base in Cuba. They sent a spy balloon across our country for 7 days. They are crossing our border in droves. What are you doing about it, Joe?

Thank God for Ron DeSantis protecting Florida.

Florida Catching the Bad Guys

Multi-Agency Strike Force nets 350 felony charges, over half million in assets seized, eight undocumented aliens

Last week Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Florida National Guard Counterdrug Taskforce, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) participated in a weeklong operation in Columbia County.

The strike force was formed at the direction of Governor DeSantis to interdict human smuggling and human trafficking and to seize illegal weapons transported through the State. Through the collaborative effort of all involved, the strike force conducted 286 traffic stops resulting in the following:

K9 in front of drugs confiscated--33 Misdemeanor Charges-- 3 Vehicles Seized
350 Felony Charges -- 4 Guns Recovered
2 Firearm Charges -- Over 1,500 grams of Fentanyl
8 Undocumented Aliens -- Over 41 grams of Cocaine
23 Drug Charges -- Over 1,000 grams of Heroin
42 Total Arrests -- Almost 4,000 grams of Marijuana
Recovery of almost $9,000-- Over 150 grams of Methamphetamine

“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to battling the illicit flow of deadly drugs entering our state and damaging our communities,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner.

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Dave Kerner approved for top Florida Department Head

Dave Kerner approved by Governor DeSantis and the Cabinet

as Executive Director of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

FLHSMV, which was founded in 1969, is principally responsible for the operation of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the oversight and issuance of Florida driver licenses, motor vehicle registrations and license plates. The Executive Director serves on behalf of the Governor and Cabinet as the operational administrator of the Department which consists of nearly 2,000 sworn State Troopers and approximately 4,500 dedicated employees throughout all 67 Florida counties.

“I am honored and deeply thankful to Governor DeSantis for the nomination and to the Florida Cabinet for the vote of approval,” Director Kerner said. “The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Highway Patrol are an important component to the public safety and order of our state. I am humbled to join Florida’s Finest as we aim to make Floridians even safer.

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And to think he used to be my County Commissioner and jogged around John Prince Park.