Sheriff John Mina

Happy Star Wars Day - May the 4th be with you! #StarWars #MayThe4thBeWithYou #Stars

Are you a Portuguese speaker living in Central Florida? Join us for our next Brazilian Civilian Police Academy, starting May 19! ⭐ Registration is Open! Get an inside look at the Orange County Sheriff's Office and how we work to keep you safe. The academy meets every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 9:30 PM for 8 weeks, until July 7, 2026. We'd love for you to join us. We will update you when registration opens for the September Academy. To apply, go to: ocso.com/civilian-polic…

Policing is entering a new era—one defined by AI, data, and the expanding digital frontier. As innovation accelerates, so do the challenges. The latest President’s Message in #PoliceChiefMag explains how police leaders are adapting, building ethical frameworks, and preparing for what’s next. Policechiefmagazine.org/presidents-mes… #DigitalTransformation #AI

Since August of 2025, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation and its state and federal partners have been investigating a drug trafficking organization operating in Central Florida that was importing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico. The group of traffickers, comprised Michael Hernandez Maldonado and his close associates, received the kilos of cocaine through the mail and distributed them throughout Central Florida. This investigation has resulted in the seizure of 40 kilos of cocaine, approximately $1.13 million in cash, and a stockpile of firearms were located. In total, nine members of the organization were arrested and charged with various crimes – including trafficking in cocaine and Money Laundering. As a result, a prolific cocaine trafficker and his organization were taken off the streets of Central Florida. This investigation was the result of successful collaboration of MBI, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (@USPIS_CentralFL),  the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations.

Since August of 2025, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation and its state and federal partners have been investigating a drug trafficking organization operating in Central Florida that was importing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico. The group of traffickers, comprised Michael Hernandez Maldonado and his close associates, received the kilos of cocaine through the mail and distributed them throughout Central Florida. This investigation has resulted in the seizure of 40 kilos of cocaine, approximately $1.13 million in cash, and a stockpile of firearms were located. In total, nine members of the organization were arrested and charged with various crimes – including trafficking in cocaine and Money Laundering. As a result, a prolific cocaine trafficker and his organization were taken off the streets of Central Florida. This investigation was the result of successful collaboration of MBI, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,  the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations.

Today, @SheriffMina and members of the Orange County Sheriff's Office took part in the Florida Puerto Rican Parade and Festival in downtown Orlando. We enjoyed celebrating the culture and heritage with everyone today. #PuertoRico #HispanicHeritage

This morning we were proud to support @harborhousefl at the 15th Annual Paws for Peace Walk & 5K at Harbor Park 🐾💜 @sheriffmina joined our therapy K9 Saffron along with members of OCSO to help raise awareness and funds for domestic violence survivors. This incredible event helps ensure survivors can bring their pets with them and keep them safe while staying at the shelter. We had an amazing time connecting with the community—and we’re excited to share that our booth even won the decorating contest! 🏆 #PawsForPeace #CommunityStrong #OCSO

When the 911 call came in, our deputies thought they’d be dealing with a 5-foot alligator walking near an apartment complex.   Imagine their surprise when the gator was more than 11 feet long!   That didn’t dissuade our deputies, who were able to assist alligator trappers in safely relocating the giant alligator.

Last night @sheriffmina swore in 34 new deputies. These deputies were the first from the Orange County Sheriff's Office Certified Training Center. Yesterday they graduated, and by Sunday, they will be out patrolling the streets of Orange County. Please join us in welcomeing them to the OCSO family! They are well-trained and excited to serve our orange coutny residents.

Our deputies stay busy when they aren’t responding to emergency calls for service. Over a three-day period earlier this month, deputies who patrol east Orange County conducted more than 125 vehicle and pedestrians stops. During these interactions they seized trafficking amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine, a bulletproof vest, and two firearms. They also responded to multiple in-progress crimes, locating multiple suspects. Great work from our deputies going above and beyond for the residents of Orange County.

OCSO was proud to take part in this week's Community Policing Forum, hosted by the Central Florida Urban League and Bridge to Independence 💙 Our deputies connected with local youth through meaningful conversations, building trust, strengthening relationships, and investing in a safer, more unified community. #CommunityPolicing

ARRESTED for Racketeering, Organized Fraud, Extortion, and Unauthorized Practice of Law For years, Legacy Imigra promoted itself as a full-service agency whose attorneys handled immigration and asylum claims for undocumented immigrants seeking lawful status in the United States. Instead, Vagner Soares De Almeida, his wife Juliana Colucci, and their associates amassed more than $20 million dollars while profiting from those in our community least able to defend themselves. They got rich through a business model built on manipulation, fraud, lies and extortion. And the majority of their clients – most of whom are Brazilian nationals - got no closer to realizing their dream of becoming Americans. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office - working in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations, and the Florida Attorney General’s Office - took down this criminal enterprise this week. Its founder, Vagner Soares De Almeida, Colucci and their associates Ronaldo Decampos and Lucas Felipe Trindade Silva, have been arrested in this case and face charges of Racketeering, Organized Fraud, Extortion, and Unauthorized Practice of Law. Seven victims have come forward – each lost between $2,500 and $26,000. And we believe there could be hundreds more. If you or someone you know has been a victim of Legacy Imigra, or its subsidiaries, you can reach out to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line, 407-836-4357. This video has been translated into Spanish and Portuguese – please bear with us if the translation is not perfect, we thought it was important to get this out to our Spanish and Portuguese-speaking communities.

🚨TRAVELING TO MEET A MINOR ARREST🚨 Our Internet Crimes Against Children detectives work hard protecting our kids from those who wish to exploit and harm them. Jose Portocarrero began talking to an undercover detective posing as a 13-year-old child and initiated disturbing sexual conversations. Jose purchased an airline ticket from his home state of Virgina, with intentions of meeting and having sex with a child. When he arrived at the meet up spot, he was greeted by our detectives and a pair of handcuffs. Jose Portocarrero is now being held on no bond for the following charges: Traveling to meet a minor Solicitation of a minor via computer Transmission of materials harmful to minors Unlawful use of a two-way communication device This is tough work for our detectives, who meet people like this in chat rooms online, so they won’t get to the children in our communities in real life. Outstanding work!

🚨DRUG TRAFFICKING ARREST🚨 Our deputies spotted Jaime Quinones selling dangerous drugs and quickly conducted a traffic stop on him. When they searched his car, they located 150+ bags of fentanyl and cocaine. In total, our deputies seized over 5 grams of fentanyl (trafficking) and over 13 grams of cocaine. Five grams of Fentanyl has the potential to kill 2,500 people. We are proud of our deputies for getting these drugs off the street.

@OrangeCoSheriff Our dispatchers and call takers have such a difficult job and I really appreciate their hard work!

@SheriffMina and Undersheriff Mark Canty stopped by our Communications Center to celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. #NPSTW They jumped in to support the telecommunicators behind the scenes by dispatching calls, guiding deputies in the field, and helping keep everyone safe. We’re grateful every day for these dedicated professionals who answer the call when it matters most. 💙 #ThankYou

Great work!

“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” 🍦 Our deputies had a great time handing out ice cream in the neighborhoods near Mollie Rae Elementary yesterday afternoon. OCSO’s Community Relations Unit keeps the ice cream truck rolling year-round as a fun way to connect with residents, build trust, and strengthen relationships at both community and agency events. Thank you to everyone who came out—we loved seeing you all!

On April 13, 2026, Deputy Sergio Soares Lemos responded to a call involving a 1-year-old baby who was choking. Upon arrival, he immediately performed life-saving measures to help the child breathe again. Thanks to Deputy Soares Lemos’ quick actions, he saved the child’s life. The baby was transported to a local hospital and is expected to be OK. Thank you, Deputy Soares Lemos, for your swift and heroic response.

Deputy Rodriguez and his 9-month-old partner Harley were called to assist Winter Park Police in locating a missing patient.
 Using a scent article, Harley began tracking from the patient’s last known location and led deputies to a home under construction. The patient was found safely inside, sitting on the stairs. 
This was Harley’s first find, with many more to come.