A 13-year-old Florida boy charged with 11 felonies walks free again under lenient state rules, forcing the local sheriff to warn terrified residents to stay on high alert for more crime.
Story Snapshot
- Jesus Gaspar Rojas, 13, arrested for 11 felonies including grand theft autos, burglaries, and criminal mischief in a rapid “one-man crime spree” in Port Salerno and South Stuart.
- Released to his mother’s care despite three DJJ processings in six months, due to Florida’s rigid juvenile point-scoring system limiting detention to 21 days.
- Sheriff John Budensiek publicly blasts state policies, declares the boy “needs to be locked up” and helped, while urging locals to report any suspicious activity.
- Residents, many elderly, express outrage over repeated releases, fearing victimization in their own neighborhoods.
Details of the Crime Spree
Martin County Sheriff’s Office arrested 13-year-old Jesus Gaspar Rojas on 11 felony counts after a series of burglaries, vehicle thefts, and property damage in Port Salerno and South Stuart. Detectives executed a search warrant, recovered stolen items, and identified at least six victims. The crimes targeted golf carts, cars, and homes, with damage like ruined steering columns. This spree unfolded over several days in mid-December 2025, shocking a community of older residents who feel increasingly vulnerable to such bold offenses.
Sheriff’s Dire Warning and Systemic Constraints
Sheriff John Budensiek labeled Rojas a “one-man crime spree” and warned residents to remain vigilant, calling 911 if they spot him in suspicious activity. Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) uses a Detention Risk Assessment Instrument (DRAI) point system that scored Rojas too low for longer secure detention. State law caps most juvenile holds at 21 days without exceptions, tying the hands of sheriffs and judges despite the boy’s three prior releases in six months. Budensiek stressed some youths require extended lockup for public safety and rehabilitation.
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxsmnAktVRY
Repeat Offenses and Broken Home
Rojas faced DJJ processing three times in six months, each ending in quick release to his mother in Stuart amid “deplorable living conditions.” His father, described as illegally in the U.S., faced deportation, leaving instability that Sheriff Budensiek links to the boy’s path. This cycle—arrest, short detention, release, new crimes—exposes how lenient policies enable repeat offending. Community members demand the teen’s removal from the home, decrying how kids “run the streets” preying on the elderly without consequence.
Community Fear and Calls for Reform
Port Salerno and South Stuart residents voice fear and frustration, with older victims hit hardest by thefts and damages. They argue public safety must trump rehabilitation ideals when felonies pile up. The case fuels Florida debates on revising DJJ’s point system for chronic offenders, granting sheriffs more discretion beyond 21-day limits. National coverage amplifies the sheriff’s plea, highlighting tensions between state rules and local law enforcement’s duty to protect families from revolving-door justice.
Look at this news article from The Daily Caller: Florida Sheriff Warns Community To Stay On Alert As Authorities Release 13-Year-Old Boy With 11 Felony Arrests. https://t.co/3mlUtrjlqQ So, what? We wait until he kills someone before you can lock him up??
— Kathleen (@mountainsrmine) December 20, 2025
Broader Implications Under Trump Era
As President Trump strengthens borders and cracks down on crime in 2025, this Florida outrage underscores state-level failures letting repeat juvenile felons roam free. Victims face financial losses and eroded trust, while law enforcement strains under repeated probes. Pushing for tougher juvenile measures aligns with demands for accountability, protecting traditional values of law, order, and family safety from government overreach.
Sources:
Teen arrested on 11 felonies in Port Salerno crime spree released again
