News


FDLE statement regarding Rebekah Jones search warrant

 

For Immediate Release
December 7, 2020

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Regarding the warrant served this morning at the residence of Rebekah Jones, former Department of Health employee, FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen provides this statement.
 
“Our investigation began last month following a complaint by Florida Department of Health that a person illegally hacked into their emergency alert system.  As part of our investigation, FDLE agents served a search warrant this morning at the Centerville Court residence where Ms. Jones lives after determining the home was the location that the unauthorized message was sent from. 
 
Agents knocked and called Ms. Jones both announcing the search warrant and encouraging her to cooperate.  Ms. Jones refused to come to the door for 20 minutes and hung-up on agents. 
 
After several attempts, Ms. Jones allowed agents inside.  Agents entered the home in accordance with normal protocols and seized several devices that will be forensically analyzed.   At no time were weapons pointed at anyone in the home.  Any evidence will be referred to the State Attorney for prosecution as appropriate.”
 
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Jessica Cary or Jeremy Burns
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Priorities

FDLE is composed of five areas: Executive Direction and Business Support, Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science, Criminal Justice Information, Criminal Justice Professionalism and Florida Capitol Police. FDLE’s duties, responsibilities and procedures are mandated through Chapter 943, FS, and Chapter 11, FAC. To learn more about these areas, read our Statement of Agency Organization and Operation or visit our Open Government page.