UPDATE: (4:18 p.m.): The Florida Department of Corrections confirmed that Ronnie Leon Hyde, who has been charged with the 1994 murder of 16-year-old Fred Laster, works for the DOC's health services contractor. Here is the full statement from the DOC:
"Ronnie Hyde is currently employed by Centurion, the Florida Department of Corrections health services contractor. The Department's Office of Inspector General is cooperating fully with the FBI, and will deploy any available resource needed to ensure this individual is held accountable. Both FDC and its contractors have zero tolerance for criminal activity and will ensure that Mr. Hyde will have no further contact with inmates.
"For further information on Hyde's current employment status, you will need to contact Centurion."
UPDATE: (3:57 p.m.): Police release latest mugshot of Ronnie Leon Hyde, who is being held in the Duval County Jail, charged with the 1994 murder of 16-year-old Fred Laster.
NEW MUGSHOT of Ronnie Leon Hyde, who's in the Duval County Jail charged with the 1994 murder of a 16-year-old: https://t.co/GL3HacDDii pic.twitter.com/DWEXKcFQr7
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) March 7, 2017
UPDATE: (3:49 p.m.): The FBI's field office in Jacksonville is asking for more information about Ronnie Leon Hyde, who has been charged with the 1994 murder of Nassau County 16-year-old Fred Laster.
.@FBIJacksonville asking for more information about Ronnie Hyde, charged in the murder of 16-year-old: https://t.co/GL3HacDDii pic.twitter.com/aDtTVaE3AR
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) March 7, 2017
UPDATE: (2:01 p.m.): A Jacksonville Beach man is charged with the murder of a 16-year-old whose body was found behind a dumpster in Columbia County in 1994.
Deputies found the victim, who was missing his head, hands and legs, at a gas station on US 441 and I-10 in June 1994.
Photos: FBI raid in Jacksonville Beach
A medical examiner performed an autopsy and it was determined that the body belonged to a man between 16-19 years old.
The case was reassigned to a new detective in 2012 and CCSO detectives spoke with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2013.
A flyer was drafted and posted to the NCMEC site in 2014.
Family members of a Jacksonville boy who had been missing since 1994 contacted police in September 2015. They told deputies 16-year-old Fred Laster went missing in 1994 and gave DNA samples that were sent to a lab.
On Feb. 2016, investigators confirmed a link between the family's DNA and the body found at the Columbia County gas station.
The boy's identity was withheld as detectives continued their investigation. The investigation led them to 60-year-old Ronnie L. Hyde.
60y/o Ronnie Hyde, of Jax Beach, has been arrested for 1994 murder/dismemberment of 16y/o Fred Paul Laster, Nassau teen missing from Jax. pic.twitter.com/BUjhbfNeP4
— Stephanie Brown (@SBrownReports) March 7, 2017
FBI agents raided Hyde's home on Tuesday. He was arrested at 6:30 a.m.
Detectives said Hyde knew Laster through social connections but it is unclear what their relationship entailed.
They believe Hyde may have had more victims. They said Hyde had access to other children through his work with a local church, and they believe he spent most of his time in Jacksonville.
They are asking anyone with information about Hyde's past or other potential victims to call 904-248-7000.
Cold case update in Lake CityThis press conference is connected to the FBI raid at a Jacksonville Beach home on Tuesday. WATCH: State Attorney Melissa Nelson is joining state, federal authorities in Columbia County to provide an update to a 1994 cold case: http://bit.ly/2n1MnRw
Posted by Action News Jax on Tuesday, March 7, 2017
FBI says there may be other child victims connected to Hyde, who was previously suspected in another child exploitation case.
— Stephanie Brown (@SBrownReports) March 7, 2017
CCSO: Hyde was an acquaintance of Laster family.
— John Bachman (@BachmanANjax) March 7, 2017
UPDATE: (12:01 p.m.): Columbia County deputies are planning a 2 p.m. press conference to give background about the case.
State Attorney Melissa Nelson and FBI Special Agent in Charge Charles Spencer are expected to speak at the press conference near the Lake City Airport.
Watch the press conference live on Action News Jax's Facebook page and follow @ActionNewsJax on Twitter for the latest information.
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FBI Raid in Jacksonville BeachDeputies announce arrest in 23-year-old homicide case after FBI search at Jacksonville Beach home: http://bit.ly/2n1MnRw
Posted by Action News Jax on Tuesday, March 7, 2017
We've confirmed this is Ronnie Hyde, who was arrested in connection to 23 yr old homicide. @FBI raiding #JaxBeach house. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/u14ft4A2pD
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) March 7, 2017
Deputies announced they made an arrest in a 23-year-old homicide case after FBI agents searched a Jacksonville Beach home on Tuesday.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed the search at a home on 4th Avenue North in Jacksonville Beach is connected to the arrest in the cold case.
According to the city property appraiser's website, the home belongs to Ronnie L. Hyde.
Columbia County deputies confirm that Hyde has been arrested.
#ANJAXBREAKING @jennaANjax is reporting right now Ronnie Hyde, a self-professed Christian Counselor is under arrest. @actionnewsjax.com https://t.co/EAVUeZcw78
— DawnDLOLopez (@DawnANjax) March 7, 2017
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.@FBI just confirmed #JaxBeach house raid is connected to an arrest in a 23 yr old homicide in Columbia County. Live at noon @ActionNewsJax
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) March 7, 2017
Doctor, woman found dead at St. Simons Island medical practice
Action News Jax reporter Kaitlyn Chana is outside Hyde's home on 4th Avenue North and 9th Street, where FBI agents are executing the search warrant.
An FBI spokesperson said investigators are expected to be at the home throughout the day. Jacksonville Beach police are also on scene.
Officials have not given much information about the search but are expected to give an update.
They said people in the area are not in danger.
Follow @ActionNewsJax on Twitter and watch CBS47 Action News Jax at 5 for the latest information.
BREAKING:23 yr old Lake City cold case tied to FBI search in Jax beach. Witnesses say backhoe and bio suits on scene. @ActionNewsJax
— Paige Kelton (@PaigeANjax) March 7, 2017
Neighbors say the Dept. of Justice is walking up and down the streets asking neighbors IF they've seen anything strange at this vacant home. pic.twitter.com/kqWLmXP4a3
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) March 7, 2017
Here's the statement provided by the #FBI #Jax Division. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/I85h5d8DYc
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) March 7, 2017
According to property appraiser's website, Jax Beach home @FBI is raiding right now belongs to Ronnie L. Hyde. @KaitlynANjax @ActionNewsJax
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) March 7, 2017
.@FBIJacksonville says there is no threat to neighbors on 4th Avenue North. FBI executing a search warrant right now.
— Romney Smith (@RomneySmith) March 7, 2017
.@FBIJacksonville at a home in JAX Beach conducting a search warrant on 4th Avenue North. More info on @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/xfUBdUJMqQ
— Romney Smith (@RomneySmith) March 7, 2017
#BREAKING: FBI is on the scene of a home in JAX beach. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/n4vqxw8OAz
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) March 7, 2017
#BREAKING: Officials are conducting a search warrant. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/CKTXBh8dhA
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) March 7, 2017
We're learning the #FBI evidence response team is executing a search warrant at a home in Jax Beach. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/wWp0HvSZjp
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) March 7, 2017
A neighbor says the home MAY seem vacant, BUT it's NOT. She says the man who lives there is a Christian counselor. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/xXTRuiOlld
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) March 7, 2017
Deputies make arrest in 23-year-old homicide case in Columbia County https://t.co/GL3HacDDii
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) March 7, 2017
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