WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Here are the stories with the most viewed photos from this week.
Honeymoon cottonmouth bite leaves Florida man with life-threatening lung disease
SARASOTA, Fla. (CBS12) — A honeymoon snake bite turned a Florida man’s life into a fight for survival, leaving him with a deadly lung disease and in need of a double transplant.
A honeymoon snake bite turned a Florida man’s life into a fight for survival, leaving him with a deadly lung disease and in need of a double transplant. (WWSB)
David and Sharyn Linton’s love story started with sunset walks and kayaking trips, culminating in a beachfront wedding at Reddington Beach, where they exchanged vows.
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“Meeting her felt like it was written in the stars,” David told WWSB. Sharyn added that saying “I do” at sunset was the perfect start to their life together.
But during their honeymoon in Floral City in 2024, tragedy struck.
Family-run operation shut down after cocaine, meth, guns and $350k seized: FL sheriff says
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (CBS12) — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has issued a strong message to drug dealers in the area: “If you’re dealing drugs in Jacksonville, we’re coming for you.”
This warning comes after a six-month investigation that led to the dismantling of an alleged drug trafficking organization operating in the Grand Park neighborhood.
The Sheriff’s Office said that on February 20, law enforcement executed a coordinated operation, resulting in the arrest of 52-year-old Chaun Floyd, a major trafficker, alongside twin brothers Jamon and Jaron Wright, both 33 years old. (JSO)
The Sheriff’s Office said that on February 20, law enforcement executed a coordinated operation, resulting in the arrest of 52-year-old Chaun Floyd, a major trafficker, alongside twin brothers Jamon and Jaron Wright, both 33 years old.
Officials said that the investigation began in August 2025, when detectives identified four homes allegedly being used to sell illegal drugs. These properties were allegedly linked to Floyd and the Wright brothers.
In a collaborative effort with federal partners from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Sheriff’s Office’s detectives conducted extensive surveillance and investigative work.
Out with the Old: Farewell Indian River Mall, hello outdoor retail hub
VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Demolition at the Indian River Mall is expected to begin in the next few weeks, upgrading the outdated space to a 250,000-square-foot outdoor retail hub.
Demolition at the Indian River Mall is expected to begin in the next few weeks, upgrading the outdated space to a 250,000-square-foot outdoor retail hub. (WPEC)
Joseph Scarfone, owner of One Investment Group and project manager for the redevelopment, confirmed that crews are awaiting final county permits to begin tearing down the former Sears and Macy’s wings.
The ambitious plan replaces the vacant department stores with a modernized layout featuring new retail services and a drive-through restaurant, according to the press release. Specialty grocer Sprouts Farmers Market is among the confirmed tenants slated for the site.
Demolition at the Indian River Mall is expected to begin in the next few weeks, upgrading the outdated space to a 250,000-square-foot outdoor retail hub. (WPEC)
While the eastern side of the mall faces the wrecking ball, Scarfone noted that the western section—including the food court and AMC Theater—will remain operational for now.
’19 Kids and Counting’ star accused of molesting 9-year-old in Florida
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Joseph Garrett Duggar, a 31-year-old known for his appearance on the reality TV show “19 Kids and Counting,” has been arrested and accused of Lewd and Lascivious Behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, on March 18, a detective from the Tontitown Police Department reached out to Bay County officials regarding a report of past sexual abuse.
Joseph Garrett Duggar, a 31-year-old known for his appearance on the reality TV show “19 Kids and Counting,” has been arrested and accused of Lewd and Lascivious Behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor. (Washington County Sheriff’s Office){ }
A 14-year-old girl allegedly disclosed during a forensic interview that she had been subjected to inappropriate behavior by Duggar during a family vacation in Panama City Beach when she was just 9 years old.
The Sheriff’s Office said that the investigation revealed that the incidents occurred in 2020 at a rental home on Danny Drive.
According to officials, the victim told them that Duggar repeatedly invited her to sit on his lap and later asked her to sit next to him on a couch, where he covered them with a blanket. She reported that he manipulated her underwear and touched her inappropriately while also rubbing his hands on her thighs.
Florida PD collaboration pays off as $95K Audi dealership fraud suspect already in custody
STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — In a remarkable stroke of timing, Stuart detectives contacted Port St. Lucie Police on Tuesday to track down a fraud suspect, only to learn officers there already had him in custody for an unrelated crime.
The Stuart Police Department said it began its investigation in December 2025, when Christopher Deneff bought a vehicle from Audi of Stuart using a fraudulent $95,000 check. Stuart Police Department detectives launched an investigation and identified other cases that appeared potentially connected. Their work led to an arrest warrant for Uttering a False Check, later approved by a judge.
The Stuart Police Department said it began its investigation in December 2025, when Christopher Deneff bought a vehicle from Audi of Stuart using a fraudulent $95,000 check. Stuart Police Department detectives launched an investigation and identified other cases that appeared potentially connected. Their work led to an arrest warrant for Uttering a False Check, later approved by a judge. (SPD){ }
When Stuart detectives reached out to Port St. Lucie detectives this week in hopes of locating Deneff, they discovered that PSLPD officers were in the middle of investigating a separate theft—and had already detained him.
Dead rodent, roaches on clean dishes: 4 Palm Beach County restaurants shut down
State inspectors rushed to shut down four Palm Beach County restaurants after finding a dead rodent, live roaches, and flies swarming food, according to our news partners at the Sun Sentinel.
State inspectors rushed to shut down four Palm Beach County restaurants after finding a dead rodent, live roaches, and flies swarming food, according to our news partners at the Sun Sentinel. (Flickr){ }
According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, four local restaurants were temporarily shut down last week after state inspectors uncovered a range of serious sanitation and food safety violations — including a dead rodent in a mop closet, dozens of flies landing on food items, and live roaches crawling on clean dishes.