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Florida briefs: Lakeland detective cleared of criminal wrongdoing

 
Published March 10, 2014

LAKELAND

Detective cleared in criminal wrongdoing

A Lakeland police detective has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing following allegations of check fraud and a subsequent State Attorney's Office investigation.

The Ledger in Lakeland reports 54-year-old Detective Steve Strickland had been on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of a related internal investigation.

A Florida credit union sent a suspicious activity report to the FBI in November regarding accounts belonging to Strickland and his wife, Mary.

Authorities reviewed the records and requested the State Attorney's Office to investigate fraud for three accounts used by the couple.

Investigators found Mary Strickland had signed her husband's name to some checks and made transactions between the accounts to ensure they didn't bounce. Investigators found those transactions weren't made with her husband's knowledge, nor did the bank incur a loss.

MIAMI

Aftershock in Cuba felt throughout Keys

A fourth aftershock from an earthquake that occurred in Cuba two months ago was felt in parts of the Florida Keys.

The Miami Herald reports Sunday morning's 4.7-magnitude quake that struck about 17 miles of Corralillo, Cuba, was the fourth aftershock from the original 5.0 quake in Cuba on Jan. 9.

Sunday's quake was felt in the lower to middle of the Florida Keys and was not strong enough to cause damage there or in Cuba.

ST. AUGUSTINE

Archeologists to dig new area of park

Archeologists are preparing to begin excavating a previously uncharted area in St. Augustine that was once occupied by Native Americans and early Spanish settlers.

The St. Augustine Record reports that in a week researchers are set to begin digging at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The site has been regularly excavated since 1976 and has led to the discovery of about 97,000 artifacts.

The colony was settled in 1565 by explorer Pedro Menendez and is believed to be the earliest example of European explorers and Native Americans working together.

The dig is taking place in an empty field, and no sightseeing spots will be blocked off for park visitors.

Times wires