Attorney General Ashley Moody, in collaboration with the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, Florida Sheriffs Association, and Florida Department of Corrections, announced the launch of Cold Case Cards at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Each card features a photograph and information about an unsolved homicide or missing-person case. Over 5,000 decks will be distributed to Florida jails and prisons to generate new leads from inmates.
Attorney General Ashley Moody stated, “As a former federal prosecutor and now as Attorney General, I have seen so many stalled investigations get new life after someone came forward with groundbreaking information. Sometimes that new information comes from criminals or co-conspirators who have a change of conscience or maybe they are motivated by a reward. Since taking office, we have launched several innovative initiatives to bolster ongoing efforts to solve cold cases, and today we are taking action to generate even more leads to help law enforcement bring criminals to justice. We are giving Cold Case Cards to inmates, but we are not playing games. This low-tech approach to generating tips may prove to be an ace up the sleeve as we continue to bring finality to seemingly unbreakable cases.”
Florida Association of Crime Stoppers President Frank Brunner commented on the initiative: “The Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, alongside partners including the Florida Attorney General's Office, the Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida Department of Corrections, and Season of Justice—a national organization dedicated to solving cold cases—is embarking on a statewide initiative. This effort aims to address some of Florida's most haunting cold case homicides. By spotlighting these cases within correctional and detention facilities, the collective hope is to generate leads that will aid in solving them, offering much-needed closure to the families and loved ones of the victims.”
More than 5,000 decks will be printed and distributed across over 60 county jails overseen by Florida Sheriffs’ offices and 145 sites managed by FDOC. Each card details a missing person or unsolved homicide case along with information on how to report an anonymous tip through **TIPS (8477). Digital versions will also be available online.
Similar programs in other states have shown success; Connecticut solved 20 cold cases using such decks while South Carolina resolved at least eight.
Tips leading to arrests can earn cash rewards up to $9,500 with tipsters remaining anonymous.
In February, Attorney General Moody introduced the new Florida Cold Case Investigations Unit within her office’s Statewide Prosecution division. The unit has already assisted in investigating and prosecuting suspects in several cases displayed on these cards.
Previous versions of these playing cards have proven effective. In July 2007, an older version led three inmates who saw one card's information about Ingrid Lugo’s murder in 2004—resulting in her boyfriend Bryan Curry being convicted for second-degree murder in March 2008.
In 2020 Attorney General Moody launched **TIPS statewide which went national under Crime Stoppers USA in 2022 allowing anyone nationwide access via dialing **TIPS connecting them directly into their nearest local office for making anonymous tips.
To view digital copies click here.
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