TALLAHASSEE — Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a statewide initiative to dismantle organized networks behind violent “teen takeover” events, directing the Office of Statewide Prosecution to pursue conspiracy and racketeering charges against the people who plan them — not just the participants who show up.
“Our prosecutors are stepping into the fight with expertise on organized crime to prevent our streets and businesses from being hijacked by coordinated chaos,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “If you organize these destructive takeovers, we will find you, we will dismantle your network, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
The initiative marks a shift from treating teen takeovers as spontaneous disturbances to investigating them as organized criminal enterprises. Under the framework, OSP will deploy subpoena power to compel records and sworn testimony, provide real-time legal advice to local departments on warrants and vehicle tracker orders, and directly prosecute multi-circuit criminal activity. When evidence reveals an organized network behind the events, prosecutors will bring charges under Florida’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statutes — the same anti-gang laws used against drug trafficking rings. Directly chargeable offenses include murder, burglary, theft, robbery and narcotics offenses.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, whose jurisdiction has been hit by the events, called for a zero-tolerance approach. “Teen takeover events have no place in Pinellas County, or anyplace in Florida,” Gualtieri said. “Sheriffs and police departments, partnering with the Attorney General and state attorneys, will use a zero-tolerance strategy and jail those who violate the law and see that this misconduct ceases immediately.”
State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit Bruce Bartlett drew a hard line on armed juveniles. “Any juvenile who brings a firearm should expect to leave in the back of a police cruiser and be charged as an adult,” Bartlett said. “We will have zero tolerance for events that bring violence and put Florida families at risk.”
Rep. Berny Jacques called the takeovers “a threat to public safety and quality of life.” “I applaud Attorney General James Uthmeier for coming to Pinellas to address this issue — I look forward to working with him and all of our amazing law enforcement partners to crack down on these takeovers,” Jacques said. “Public order must be maintained.”
Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze said troopers would serve as a force multiplier for local agencies. “These reckless, unlawful events place a real strain on local communities and divert critical emergency resources,” Howze said. “Florida has built a strong reputation for accountability and for upholding the rule of law, and those who choose this lawlessness will face Florida Justice.”
In recent months, the large coordinated events have escalated from public nuisances to severe threats to public safety, resulting in fights, shootings, property damage and thefts in multiple communities across the state. Uthmeier also reminded the public of the Combating Public Disorder Act, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021, which increased criminal penalties for offenses committed during a riot.
Under the initiative, local law enforcement agencies will handle field operations, witness interviews, search warrants and arrests, while OSP prosecutors stand ready to refer or directly prosecute cases to ensure no suspect escapes prosecution across jurisdictional lines.