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Justin Garcia - Investigative Reporter
Justin Garcia

Investigative Reporter

As an investigative reporter at the Tampa Bay Times, I dig deep into systemic issues that affect our local community and all Floridians. Throughout my career, I’ve covered everything from music to the environment. But I’ve found myself deeply focused on law enforcement and the judicial system. My accountability work has led to change, spurring resignations of a police chief who used her badge to get out of a traffic stop and a Republican Party of Florida leader who drunkenly wrecked a hotel room. My reporting has also prompted several internal investigations at law enforcement agencies. I was born and raised in Los Angeles but now consider myself a full-blown Floridian. Still, the West Coast is close to my heart. The perspective of our community is very important to me, so I’m always open to thoughts, concerns and feedback. And of course, I always have an open ear for tips and leads.

  1. Trump’s EPA wants to roll back rules for a toxic gas. What it means for Florida
    • Environment
    Temple Terrace residents say they first heard about American Contract Systems’ ethylene oxide use at the BayCare building on East Telecom Parkway only after the federal government warned about elevated cancer risks in their community in 2023. At least 20 people who lived or worked around the plant now say they have cancer. More than a dozen are suing American Contract Systems, which closed the site last year, along with a sister operation in Fort Myers.
  2. What to know about toxic ethylene oxide in Tampa Bay
    • Investigations
    The BayCare Integrated Service Center in Temple Terrace was home to a plant run by American Contract Systems. Workers inside used ethylene oxide to sterilize medical equipment. The gas is known to cause cancer.
  3. A company released toxic gas in Tampa Bay for years. No one stopped it
    • Investigations
    A building in Temple Terrace that housed a plant that sterilized medical equipment from 2016 until December of last year is shown from above. More than a dozen lawsuits have been filed against the company that sterilized the equipment, American Contract Systems, and its landlord, local health giant BayCare, alleging gas that seeped from the plant made people sick.
  5. Father of Hillsborough deputy killed in murder-suicide sues sheriff
    • Crime
    Am image of Hillsborough sheriff’s deputy Abigail Bieber is displayed at her funeral in February 2022. Her father filed a lawsuit this week against the sheriff's office in connection with her death.
  6. Florida inmates were denied eye surgery for years. Some were left blind
    • Health
    Florida inmates with bad eyesight because of cataracts and other issues were forced to wait years for surgery, state records show. Some were transported to the Reception and Medical Center, the state's prison hospital in Lake Butler for procedures that were then canceled. More than 1,000 inmates were on a wait list to get eye surgery in 2024.
  7. DeSantis admin diverted child welfare and medical funds for consultants, ads
    • Florida Politics
    Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference on May 20 in Tampa. The governor came out in strong opposition to two citizen-led ballot initiatives in 2024 and marshaled state resources against them.
  8. Former Hope Florida charity leader at courthouse on 2nd day of grand jury
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Former Hope Florida Foundation President Joshua Hay, right, leaves the Leon County Courthouse on Wednesday. Hay’s appearance is another sign that the State Attorney’s Office in Tallahassee’s grand-jury investigation is tied to the DeSantis administration’s diversion of $10 million from a Medicaid settlement through the Hope Florida Foundation for political purposes last year.
  9. Hope Florida grand jury starts with testimony from key witnesses
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Amy Ronshausen of Save Our Society From Drugs is seen with her attorney, Ken Sukhia, on Tuesday after leaving the Leon County Courthouse.
  10. Future of DeSantis’ Hope Florida in doubt amid funding requests
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    A Hope Florida truck seen outside the Florida Department of Children and Families in April. State agencies are not asking for additional money next year to expand Hope Florida.
  11. Prosecutors convening grand jury in Hope Florida investigation
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    First lady Casey DeSantis speaks alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis during a news conference on July 29, 2024, in Tampa. During the conference, the governor and first lady handed out multiple checks to local churches as a part of their Hope Florida program.
  12. Lawyers distanced clients from Hope Florida Medicaid deal, records show
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Gov. Ron DeSantis and first lady Casey DeSantis have championed the Hope Florida program. The state last year directed $10 million from a settlement with a Medicaid contractor to the Hope Florida Foundation.
  13. Criminal investigation launched related to Hope Florida, prosecutors say
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Florida first lady Casey DeSantis speaks while Gov. Ron DeSantis listens to her during a news conference at The Vault on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Tampa.
  14. DeSantis said Hope Florida experts are in every sheriff’s office. Are they?
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Hope Florida, a program championed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and first lady Casey DeSantis, has come under scrutiny by the Legislature.
  15. Former federal prosecutors see potential charges in Hope Florida saga
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    First lady Casey DeSantis speaks alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis during a news conference on July 29, 2024, in Tampa. During the conference, the governor and first lady handed out multiple checks to local churches as a part of their Hope Florida program.
  16. Man who wrongfully spent 31 years in prison for robbery sues city of Tampa
    • Tampa
    Tampa Police Department headquarters is shown in this 2022 photo. The city is being sued by a man who spent 31 years in prison for a robbery. He was exonerated in 2021.
  17. Pasco sheriff settles lawsuit filed over controversial policing program
    • Pasco
    A Pasco County sheriff's deputy vehicle is shown in this 2020 photo. The agency has settled a lawsuit filed over a controversial policing program.
  18. Two hurricanes swamped Tampa Bay flood defenses. What can be done?
    • Hurricane
    An aerial drone view of Lake Shangri-La and Shangri La Dr. fifteen days after the lake spilled into backyards, streets and homes.
  19. Tickets to Masters Tournament trigger feud in Hillsborough County politics
    • Hillsborough
    Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal, left, and commission chair Ken Hagan are at odds after Hagan took a trip to the Masters Tournament.
  20. Man arrested after altercation with Luna campaign manager in Clearwater
    • Elections
    Voters wait in line to enter the early voting location at 315 Court St. in Clearwater on Oct. 19, 2020.
  21. Florida’s general election is here. Here’s what to know.
    • Elections
    Sal Poliandro prepares to vote at the Heritage Springs Clubhouse in Trinity during the 2024 General Election Tuesday.
  22. Hillsborough County wants investigation after flooding from hurricanes
    • Hillsborough
    Aerial view of the homes in the University area flooding due to Hurricane Milton on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 in Tampa.
  23. Many Florida election office websites crashed on first day of early voting
    • Elections
    People walk past a "Vote" sign on the first day of early voting in the general election Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Miami.
  24. Early voting starts Monday in Tampa Bay. What to expect after two hurricanes?
    • Elections
    Lenny Carrillo from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office sets up voting booths at the Meadow Woods Community Center in Orlando on Tuesday.