Reported by Angelina Nunez
September 2026
Editor’s note:This report contains allegations. All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
zachary angel muniz
Background
A St. Johns man used fake gift cards to obtain child sexual abuse material through Kik, later admitting to investigators he intentionally sought out and viewed the videos, according to the arrest report from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
Investigators say they received a cyber tip from Kik identifying an account linked to Zachary Angel Muniz. A second tip indicated Muniz allegedly created another account after his original account was banned.
Muniz allegedly confirmed the accounts belonged to him and acknowledged using fake gift cards to obtain child sexual abuse material from other users. He also allegedly admitted that, after deleting the Kik application, he continued searching online for “teen” pornography.
The videos depict graphic and disturbing sex abuse of pre-pubescent females, according to the warrant. Muniz was arrested on June 17, 2026.
Current Court Status
Following his arrest, Muniz posted surety bonds totaling $90,000 and entered a plea of not guilty.
A felony pretrial hearing is set for September 29, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
5 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
joseph jesse caruso
Background
A National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) cyber tip led investigators to a St. Augustine man’s Google account, where authorities allegedly uncovered additional child sexual abuse material, including videos the arrest warrant describes as graphic and sexually explicit.
NCMEC received the tip on November 26, 2024, which reported five uploaded videos of suspected child sexual abuse material and provided an email address and phone number associated with the account.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the Google account and received the records in January 2025. The return contained the original five files, along with five additional files, four of which investigators determined were child sexual abuse material. The warrant describes the material as deeply graphic and explicit.
On August 19, 2025, deputies executed a residential search warrant at the St. Augustine home of Joseph Jesse Caruso. During a post-Miranda interview, Caruso allegedly confirmed he owned the email address and phone number linked to the account but denied possessing or viewing child pornography. Investigators said the Google records tied the account and recovered material to Caruso’s identifying information. Caruso was ultimately arrested on February 12, 2026.
Current Court Status
Following his arrest, Caruso posted $180,000 in surety bonds and was released on bond. On March 4, 2026, he pleaded not guilty.
A felony pretrial is scheduled for October 27, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
9 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child
Devin james platt
Background
An investigation involving a runaway 13-year-old girl led to the August 2025 arrest of 18-year-old Devin James Platt after investigators uncovered recordings of alleged sexual activity and arranged an undercover meeting with him.
The investigation was conducted by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit. According to the arrest report, the victim met Platt through a mutual friend in June 2025 while she was a runaway and later communicated with him through Snapchat. She told investigators that she sought a place to stay and that Platt told her she could stay only if she performed sexual favors for him. She later reported feeling pressured and forced into sexual activity.
The victim also reported that Platt recorded several encounters without her knowledge or consent and shared the recordings with others via Snapchat. Detectives recovered the videos and related conversation through a search of his Snapchat account. An undercover investigator later posed as the victim and arranged a meeting with Platt, leading to his August 2025 arrest.
Current Court Status
Platt entered no-contest pleas to all counts and was sentenced by Judge Christopher S. Ferebee to 10 years and 3 months in prison, with 93 days of credit for time served, followed by four years of supervised probation.
Charges
Lewd or lascivious battery involving a victim ages 12 to 16
2 counts of use of a minor in the production of obscene material
Justin Levi lore
Background
More than a decade after a domestic violence arrest, Justin Levi Lore is facing a new stalking case in St. Johns County, according to a warrant affidavit.
Lore was arrested July 8, 2026 on a charge of stalking, following, harassing or cyberstalking another person. The court file contains his 2013 arrest report, which stemmed from a domestic violence incident.
In the domestic violence case, Lore’s wife reported that he attacked her, struck her, pulled her by the hair and broke a phone when she attempted to call 911. Deputies also found a loaded 20-gauge shotgun in the home. That case included charges of domestic battery, tampering with a witness and cruelty toward a child, and Lore entered pretrial diversion.
In the current stalking case, Lore is accused of calling his ex-wife 34 times within a 6-hour period and “making vague threats about coming to see her, wanting her dead, and ending her and her loved one’s lives.” Lore also berated the sheriff’s deputy on the scene, who answered the phone during one of the calls, and threatened to kill the officer and their family, according to the affidavit.
Current Court Status
Following his arrest, Lore posted a $1,000 surety bond and was placed under a pretrial-release no-contact order. Lore pleaded not guilty. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 15, 2026 before Judge Casey L. Woolsey.
Charges
Stalking
Stephen carlton warner
Background
What appeared to be a routine dating website exchange was actually part of a St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office undercover sting targeting online predators, according to the arrest report.
Stephen Carlton Warner was arrested on November 10, 2025 after investigators said he continued communicating with an undercover investigator posing as a 14-year-old girl. Upon learning her purported age, Warner initially told her he would report the situation for her safety and urged her to stop. However, he then continued the conversation, asking whether she had been with or was attracted to older men.
After the investigator again identified herself as 14, Warner allegedly responded with “41?” and a winking emoji before continuing the conversation.
Current Court Status
Warner was found guilty of both charges following a jury trial on August 18. His motion for a judgment of acquittal, filed days later, was denied by Judge Christopher S. Ferebee. Felony sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2026.
Charges
Soliciting a child or person believed to be a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Joseph IZZI JR.
Background
Thirty-seven-year-old Joseph Izzi Jr. faces 30 years in prison for preying on teenage runaways by providing them with drugs and sexually assaulting them, according to a St. Johns County arrest report.
Among a long list of charges, Izzi is accused of raping a 13-year-old who referred to him as her "plug." Izzi confessed to investigators he was aware she and other runaways he'd had contact with were "school-aged," believing they were 14 or 15 years old, and that he'd provided them with weed and cocaine, according to the warrant.
In a separate but related case, Izzi is accused of having unprotected sex with a 14-year-old girl in exchange for a "free" bump of cocaine. He also allegedly used runaways to sell drugs via Snapchat "open shop" stories and make deliveries in St. Augustine and nearby towns.
Current Court Status
Izzi pleaded no contest to the five listed charges, and also pleaded no contest to sexual battery against a minor and use of a minor to deliver drugs in the related case. He received concurrent, 30-year sentences with 10 years sex offender probation. He has also been deemed a sexual predator.
Charges
Lewd or lascivious battery by defendant over 18; victim 12 or older but less than 16
Sexual battery by person 18 years or older on person 12 or older but younger than 18
Lewd or Lascivious Molestation by defendant over 18; victim 12 or older but less than 16
Delivery of controlled substance to a minor
Soliciting a child or person believed to be a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices
Andrew Joseph Smith
Background
A 2-year-old child was found unresponsive and not breathing at a St. Augustine residence on July 5, 2026, prompting a response from the St. Augustine Police Department. Andrew Joseph Smith was later arrested in connection with the incident.
According to the arrest warrant, the child had been playing inside the home shortly before the medical emergency. St. Johns County Fire Rescue administered CPR and Narcan, after which the child regained respiratory function and was transported to a hospital before later being transferred to Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Medical staff reported the child was extremely lethargic and minimally responsive, and a toxicology screen tested positive for cocaine. During the investigation, detectives searched the home and found cocaine residue and drug paraphernalia.
Body-worn camera footage reportedly showed Smith searching through items and placing unidentified objects into his pockets while emergency personnel treated the child. Investigators determined the child’s exposure to dangerous substances resulted in a life-threatening medical emergency. Smith was arrested July 10, 2026.
Current Court Status
Following his arrest, Smith entered a not-guilty plea and requested a jury trial on July 27. A criminal bond hearing will be held September 9, 2026 to address Smith’s motion to reduce his bond.
The next felony pretrial hearing is scheduled for September 29 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Neglect of a child causing great bodily harm
Devin Jase Delaney
Background
An incarcerated man allegedly threatened a St. Johns County judge, prosecutor and others in a series of messages, warning, “I’m coming for you. All of you.”
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Devin Jase Delaney was an inmate at a Florida Department of Corrections private facility in Lake City when he allegedly used his inmate email account to send threatening messages to a friend.
The messages, sent shortly after a sentencing hearing involving his former co-defendant, specifically referenced Judge Christopher Ferebee, attorney Tim A. Pribisco and the State Attorney’s Office. Delaney allegedly warned, “You’ll never see me coming,” and said those involved had “barked up the wrong tree.” His friend subsequently warned him not to make threats.
The alleged threats continued later that week. According to the report, Delaney sent messages threatening his former co-defendant, stating he would “knock her jaw loose,” punch her and “beat her with a brick.” Delaney was taken into custody on the new charges on August 10, 2026 while already incarcerated at a Florida Department of Corrections facility.
Current Court Status
Delaney has had several changes in defense counsel, with the public defender and regional conflict counsel withdrawing before new counsel was assigned.
On August 12, Delaney filed a written plea of not guilty and waived arraignment. A felony pretrial hearing is scheduled for October 30, 2026 before Judge A. Christian Miller.
Charges
Four counts of written threats to kill or do bodily injury
justin lee ford
Background
A family vacation in St. Augustine turned into a sexual battery investigation after a 15-year-old girl called her mother in distress, saying her stepfather had touched her, according to the arrest report from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit.
Forty-one-year-old Justin Lee Ford was staying with his family at a St. Augustine condominium when the alleged incident occurred on July 7, 2026.
The victim told investigators that after Ford took her to the beach and provided her with alcoholic beverages, she returned to the condo and went to sleep. She claimed she awoke to Ford touching her back and buttocks before lifting the blanket and touching her body inappropriately. She then contacted her mother.
The report also states that Ford’s 17-year-old biological daughter disclosed she had allegedly been sexually abused by him in Georgia in February. When confronted about the allegations involving the 15-year-old, Ford allegedly admitted he had “messed around” with her and claimed he thought she would have been “okay with it.”
Following the confrontation, Ford allegedly became suicidal and was involved in a brief standoff with law enforcement before being taken for a mental-health evaluation. Ford was arrested on July 11, 2026.
Current Court Status
Following his arrest by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Ford pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial on July 27, 2026. He was released under a domestic-violence no-contact pretrial release order without GPS monitoring.
A felony pretrial hearing is scheduled for October 1, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Sexual battery on a minor 12 to 18 Years of age by person in familial or custodial authority
Lewd or lascivious molestation
Contributing to the delinquency of a child
William Aidan glenn east
Background
An 18-year-old Las Vegas man allegedly posed as a 16-year-old while communicating with a 14-year-old girl online, exchanging roughly 5,000 messages and soliciting her for sex through Roblox and Discord.
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, deputies responded to the girl’s home on August 6, 2025 after her mother discovered the messages on her daughter’s devices. Investigators say they traced the phone number used in the conversations to William Aidan Glenn East.
After learning the girl was 14, East allegedly acknowledged he should not have contacted her but continued communicating with her, telling her he missed her and that they could make the age difference work. The report describes sexually inappropriate exchanges, including one in which East allegedly told the girl, “I like the fact I could say bark, and you would probably do it.” East was arrested on December 5, 2025.
Current Court Status
Following his arrest, East posted bond and was released from custody under pretrial conditions, including a no-contact order.
He pleaded guilty to all charges on August 21, 2026 and was sentenced to three years imprisonment, with credit for 277 days time-served, followed by 15 years probation.
Charges
Soliciting a Child or Person Believed to Be a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct Using Computer Services or Devices
12 counts of Transmission of Material Harmful to Minors by Electronic Device
Harmful Communication to a Minor
jason peter fruish
Background
A St. Augustine veteran allegedly used Snapchat to seek and exchange child sexual abuse material, according to a St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrest warrant.
The investigation began with a Snapchat cyber tip that led investigators to an account allegedly involved in requesting and distributing child pornography. Investigators traced the associated phone number and IP address through legal demands to AT&T and Snapchat, identified Jason Peter Fruish as the account holder, and traced the activity to his St. Augustine home, according to the warrant.
Fruish allegedly asked, “Can you send me a pic of the girls,” and, after being told the person had “little girls,” responded, “All of them.” He also allegedly stated, “I like all ages,” and offered to exchange material, saying, “I’m sure you like little boys, I have those too.”
About eight minutes later, investigators said he sent multiple videos depicting young boys engaged in sexual activity with adults. A search warrant for Fruish’s Snapchat account reportedly confirmed the account and subscriber information. Fruish was arrested on January 20, 2026.
Current Court Status
Following his arrest, Jason Peter Fruish pleaded not guilty on April 20, 2026, and waived his right to a speedy trial.
A felony pretrial hearing is scheduled for September 29, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
12 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child (Enhanced)
29 counts of obscene material: possession of 10 or more child pornography images
Seven counts of transmission of child pornography by electronic device
One count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
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