Putnam County leaders say a county employee improperly released warrant information tied to more than 50 criminal cases, a leak the sheriff is warning could put law enforcement in harm’s way. By Friday morning, county officials had huddled for a briefing and launched a review of how sensitive records are handled as their first order of business.
According to News4JAX, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office scheduled a 10 a.m. press conference with Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach and Putnam County Clerk of Courts Matt Reynolds to lay out what went wrong. The outlet reported that the sheriff’s office believes the release was unlawful and would use the briefing to explain what was exposed and what happens next.
What the sheriff’s office says
In a statement reported by News4JAX, officials said a county employee “illegally released warrant information” affecting more than 50 cases and “potentially endangers the lives of law enforcement.” Authorities did not immediately name the employee or specify exactly which records were leaked, but said they were locking down the system and alerting agencies and partners who might be affected.
Public records, private trouble
Florida’s public records rules generally keep court documents and warrants open to inspection, but there are clear carve-outs for active criminal investigations and safety-sensitive information. Under the Florida Senate’s Chapter 119, knowingly disclosing records that are exempt from public release can bring misdemeanor charges and administrative penalties for public officers who cross the line.
What comes next
County officials said more information would be released after the briefing. The clerk’s office lists Matt Reynolds as the elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for Putnam County and notes that his office manages court records and handles questions about records and court procedures. The sheriff’s office serves as the records custodian for many criminal filings, putting both offices at the center of the review.
This is a developing story and may be updated as officials release additional details from the press conference and any follow-up investigations.
