Pinellas Jail Rebookings Under Fire | Tampa News

Pinellas County jail is under fire after an investigation revealed at least 174 immigrants were rebooked multiple times—often just hours after release—bypassing the agreed-upon 72-hour ICE holding limit. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri claims he only learned of the practice when ICE detainee numbers spiked, blaming federal backlogs and resource shortages. Critics say local officials broke their contractual obligations, while the sheriff insists ICE started the rebooking—and halted it once discovered. A federal waiver now lets Pinellas hold detainees up to seven days, longer than neighboring Polk County’s 48-hour limit. The county’s Human Rights Office is now investigating, exposing a tangled web of federal agreements, local enforcement, and immigration policy challenges. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5de41e240901e925