When the Duval County sheriff said he would lock up reporters from local newspapers if they kept "interfering" in his business, no one took the threat lightly.
For 20 years, Sheriff Santiago Barrera Jr. had done what he pleased with no challenges to his reign. He decided who sat in his jail and when they were released. Sometimes it was before a judge got involved and other times it was after.
"I brought the sheriff's department from nothing to what it is right now," said the 67-year-old Barrera.
That's why journalists are on edge about Barrera's recent threat to an Alice Echo-News Journal reporter.
