FOIA Request to Hernando County Sheriff regarding 2023 arrest records on September 24, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by Sunshine Sentinel to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office on September 24, 2025. The request seeks comprehensive data on all arrest records from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The requested information includes a variety of data points such as the arrestee’s name, sex, race, age, date of birth, and citizenship status. Additionally, it requests booking IDs, dates of arrest, booking photos, names of arresting officers, types of crimes committed, locations and dates of crimes.
The request is made under Article I, section 24 of the Florida Constitution and chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Sunshine Sentinel has expressed a preference for receiving this information in electronic format. The organization emphasizes its role in gathering and reporting news to the public and highlights the importance of access to public records for ensuring accountability and transparency within public institutions.
Sunshine Sentinel also requests a fee waiver for accessing these records due to its status as a media organization. The email notes that the requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA requests.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.
