What prosecutors describe as dangerous explosives were actually harmless, homemade model rockets, a defense attorney told jurors as the trial of former University of South Florida student Youssef Megahed opened Wednesday. ...more

March 19, 2009

Animal rights activists asked a federal judge Wednesday to find that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus violates the Endangered Species Act by using metal-tipped prods and chains to control its elephants. ...more

March 18, 2009

Opening statements will be given today in the federal trial of a former University of South Florida student accused of illegally transporting explosives. ...more

March 18, 2009

Opening statements will be given Wednesday in the federal trial of a former University of South Florida student accused of illegally transporting explosives. ...more

March 17, 2009

Eric Wuest's post late Friday to Facebook friends teased: "Stay tuned for a big announcement on Monday everyone!" ...more

March 17, 2009

Franklin Duran, 41, was convicted of conspiracy and failure to register as a Venezuelan agent. ...more

March 16, 2009

Saying he was "deeply sorry and ashamed," Bernard Madoff pleaded guilty today to pulling off perhaps the biggest swindle in Wall Street history and was immediately led off to jail in handcuffs to the applause of his seething victims in the courtroom. ...more

March 12, 2009

A 27-year-old Valrico man was convicted today of federal child pornography charges for taking 34 graphic photographs of a 16-year-old relative. ...more

March 12, 2009

Bernard Madoff will plead guilty Thursday to 11 criminal counts including money laundering, perjury and securities, mail and wire fraud and will do so without a plea deal, knowing it carries a potential prison term of 150 years, lawyers said today in court. ...more

March 10, 2009

A sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former aide to County Commissioner Kevin White is headed to mediation. ...more

March 10, 2009