Convicted Escambia Sex Offender Arrested On New Federal Child Porn Charges
June 13, 2020
A registered sex offender from Escambia County was arrested Friday on new federal charges related to the distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography.
Steven J. McLendon, 36, is a registered sex offender in the state of Florida stemming from prior convictions for lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor and child pornography in 2007. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today after McLendon made his initial appearance in federal court in Pensacola.
The allegations against McLendon stem from a months long investigation by the FloridaDepartment of Law Enforcement in Pensacola. The charges allege that from February through June, McLendon was utilizing peer to peer software to distribute and receive child pornography in Pensacola. Upon the execution of a search warrant at his residence in Pensacola this week, law enforcement is alleged to have seized multiple pieces of digital evidence containing child pornography. This includes a device McLendon is alleged to have attempted to hide in his refrigerator.
McLendon, because of his prior convictions, faces the following enhanced penalties if convicted:
- Distribution of Child Pornography – A mandatory minimum of 15 years up to a maximum of 40 years in prison;
- Receipt of Child Pornography – A mandatory minimum of 15 years up to a maximum of 40 years in prison;
- Possession of Child Pornography – A mandatory minimum of 10 years up to a maximum of 20 years in prison; and
- Forfeiture of his all the electronics used to commit the offenses.
“Protecting the children of our community against those who would do them harm is a difficult and serious task. My office is grateful to the men and women of law enforcement who work tirelessly to rescue children from online sexual exploitation,” Keefe said.
“FDLE’s Cyber Squad began this investigation in March and found child pornography involving young children being victimized,” said FDLE Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey. “McLendon is already on Florida’s Sex Offender Registry and I appreciate the hard work and dedication of our cyber squad agents.”
The case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
Florida Forest Service Accepting Applications For Longleaf Pine Private Incentive Program
June 13, 2020
The Florida Forest Service has announced the launch of the 2020 Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, July 8, 2020.
The primary objective of the Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program is to increase the acreage of healthy longleaf pine forests in Florida by assisting eligible, non-industrial private forest landowners with the long-term investment necessary to establish and maintain the valuable longleaf pine ecosystem.
Longleaf pine forests are native to the southeastern United States and are among the most diverse ecosystems in North America. Longleaf pines provide high-quality wood products and are valued for their resistance to damage by insects, disease, wildfire and storms. Due to urbanization and conversion to other land uses, longleaf pine forests have been dramatically reduced and now cover less than four percent of their historical range. Florida is home to more than 2 million acres of longleaf pine ecosystems, which represents more than half of all current longleaf pine forests.
The Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program offers incentive payments for the completion of timber stand improvement, invasive species control, prescribed burning, planting longleaf pine, establishing native plant understory and mechanical underbrush treatments. Private lands located within the 58 counties north of Lake Okeechobee, the historical range of longleaf pine, are eligible for the program.
To learn more and access an application, visit FDACS.gov/LongleafIncentive or contact your local Florida Forest Service county forester. In Escambia County, call Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5237 or email.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Awarded $370,107 Federal COVID-19 Grant
June 13, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has received a U.S. Department of Justice grant to help them deal with the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
The $370,107 grant to the ESCO was announced Friday by Lawrence Keefe, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. The grants is being provided under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by recent stimulus legislation.
“Throughout the many weeks our district and the nation have been dealing with the threat of COVID-19, our public safety first responders have worked tirelessly to make sure members of the public are safe,” Keefe said. “The resources of local agencies have been stretched thin, and these grant funds will help ease the financial burden on public safety agencies so they can continue protecting and serving our citizens.”
Partly Cloudy Saturday Night, Sun On Sunday
June 13, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Gomez Wins Another Century Council Term; Two Want To Be Mayor, Five Running For Two Other Council Seats
June 13, 2020
Two people want to be mayor of Century, one incumbent council member has earned another term, and five candidates will face off for two seats on the council. Friday was the last day of qualifying for public offices in Escambia County.
In Century, former council member Ben Boutwell is running against incumbent Henry Hawkins for mayor. The part-time job pays $10,131.98 per year.
No one filed to run again incumbent council member Luis Gomez, Jr. – so he was automatically reelected to Seat 2 on the council.
Incumbent council member Ann Brooks drew two opponents – Calvin Cottrell, Jr. and Dynette Lewis.
Seat 3 was added to the ballot after Boutwell resigned to run for mayor. Shelisa Dorshae McCall and Leonard B. White qualified to seek the position.
Council members are payed $3,714.92 per year.
Those elected to council and the mayor will be sworn in on January 4, 2021.
For a complete Escambia County qualification list, click here.
Town of Century Mayor
- Benjamin D. Boutwell
- Henry Hawkins – incumbent
Town of Century Council Seat 1
- Ann C. Brooks – incumbent
- Calvin Conttrell Jr.
- Dynette Lewis
Town of Century Council Seat 2
- Luis Gomez Jr. – incumbent, reelected with no opposition
Town of Century Council Seat 3
- Shelisa Dorshae McCall
- Leonard B. White
Pictured top: Century council member Luis Gomez, Jr. at a meeting earlier this year. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Charles Edward Thompson, Sr.
June 13, 2020
Mr. Charles Edward Thompson, Sr., age 72, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2020 at his home in Flomaton, Alabama.
Mr. Thompson was a native of Atmore, AL and had resided in Flomaton, AL for most of his life. He was a retired operator with Vanity Fair with 33 years of service, caretaker of the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery with over 16 years of service, an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He was of the Baptist Faith. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Tina Thompson Hall; parents, grandparents and brother, Bobby Thompson.
He is survived by his two sons, Charles “Little Charles” (Melissa) Thompson, Jr. of Century, FL and Christopher Lee (Megan) Thompson of Flomaton, AL; one step-son, Lester Fox of Bratt, FL; one step-daughter, Maria Fox of Bratt, FL; two sisters, Gracie (Glendall) Pridgen of Flomaton, AL and Pam (Melvin) Johnson of Flomaton, AL; eleven grandchildren, Shane, Chasity, Nick, Ethan, Zack, Chris, Eli, Jacob, Jonathan, Halana and Carlton and ten great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Earle Green officiating.
Burial will follow at the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 15, 2020 from 6:00 -8:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Ethan Hall, Shane Thompson, Bubba Pridgen, Jeremy Pridgen, Chris Fowler, Greg Odom.
Friday Report: COVID-19 Cases Increase By 12 In Escambia County
June 12, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County increased by 12, according to the Friday report from the Florida Department of Health.
The number of cases in Escambia County is now 956, and Santa Rosa County increased by two to 275.
Of the 37 deaths in Escambia County, 28 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 70,971 cases including 69,341 Florida residents. There have been 11,706 hospitalizations* and 2,877 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
- Total cases — 956 (+12 since Thursday)
- Pensacola — 676
- Cantonment — 57
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid — 1
- Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 13
- Century — 3
- Hospitalizations: 66*
- Deaths — 37
- Male — 322
- Female — 439
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 275 (+2 since Thursday)
- Milton — 166
- Navarre — 43
- Gulf Breeze — 34
- Pace — 19
- Jay — 4
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 26*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 185
- Female — 86
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 70,971
- Florida residents — 69,341
- Deaths — 2,877
- Hospitalizations — 11,706*
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.
The Bluffs Industrial Complex In Cantonment, Town Of Jay Projects Named TaxWatch ‘Budget Turkeys’
June 12, 2020
The Bluffs in Cantonment and two projects in the town of Jay were included in the 2020 Budget Turkey Watch Report released Thursday by Florida TaxWatch in the think tank’s annual independent review of the state’s budget. They are recommending that Gov. Ron DeSantis veto the funding for the turkeys.
Announced in late 2015, The Bluffs was envisioned as the home of up to 60 new industrial and manufacturing companies and more than 15,000 jobs. The 6,000 acre master-planned development area includes about 1,700 acres of land that can be developed in an area east of Highway 29 bordered by the Escambia River to the east, Becks Lake Road near International Paper to the north, and the University of West Florida to the south.
The $93.2 billion budget passed by the Florida Legislature for FY2020-21 contains 180 appropriations items qualifying as Budget Turkeys worth $136.3 million.
Items classified by the group as Budget Turkeys in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were (with item descriptions from the Florida Senate):
Escambia County
- The Bluffs Entrance and Transportation Upgrades – $750,000 Escambia County
- The Bluffs entrance at Ascend Performance Materials/Emerald Coast Utilities Authority/Chemstrand Road Intersection. Planning, engineering, design, and construction for the entrance to The Bluffs Industrial Corridor and transportation upgrades at the multileg intersection of New Chemstrand Road, Old Chemstrand Road, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s entrance drive, and Ascend Performance Materials entrance drive(s). Project supports the active economic development program for The Bluffs, including over 100 logistics and manufacturing jobs for current active opportunities. The current active projects are: Project Astro, Project Coral, Project Emerald, and Project Flow.
Santa Rosa County
- Town of Jay Roadway Improvements $300,000
- A pavement assessment was conducted in 2019 of all roadways in the Town of Jay. The report concluded that a majority of the roads have not been serviced in thirty years and will only require an overlay rather than a complete redesign making the proposed project “shovel ready”. The funds requested will cover the permitting, contract administration, and construction of the roadway overlays.
- Town of Jay Bray Hendricks Park Master Plan $300,000
- Bray-Hendricks Park is a 39-year old park that is in critical need of updated sports surfaces and support capabilities to place the park in compliance with ADA requirements. This essential Town of Jay project is a proposed master planned sports complex within the town limits of Jay, Florida. The master plan includes one competition softball field, four regulation baseball fields, three tee-ball fields, four tennis courts, a basketball court, a combination soccer/football field, a children’s splash pad, a playground, an accessory concession building, and ADA compliant bathrooms. Economically, the sports complex can bring opportunity to the area by hosting tournaments and events that draw visitors. Current youth recreation leagues bring hundreds of families to the park to share in their child’s sport. The BrayHendricks Park is an important building block in promoting economic development in this rural community.
- Pea Ridge Connector – $750,000
- Santa Rosa County is constructing a new roadway connecting U.S. Highway 90 to Hamilton Bridge Road in the Pea Ridge Area. The new connector road is a 4-lane roadway with bi-directional bike lanes and sidewalks. The construction includes new turn lanes and new signals at both the U.S. Highway 90 intersection and the Hamilton Bridge Road Intersection.
According to TaxWatch, Budget Turkeys are often local member projects, placed in the final appropriations bill without being scrutinized and subjected to the budget committee process, or that circumvented existing grant and other legislatively established selection processes. The Budget Turkey label does not signify judgment of a project’s worthiness. Instead, the review focuses solely on the integrity, accountability, and transparency of the legislatively established budget process. The goal of which is to ensure that all appropriations of hard-earned taxpayer money achieves its intended public benefit. Since 1986, both Republican and Democratic governors have vetoed more than $3 billion in projects identified by FTW as Budget Turkeys.
County Closing Recycling Site At John R. Jones Ballpark On Nine Mile Road
June 12, 2020
Escambia County is closing the recycling drop-off site at the John R. Jones Ballpark on Nine Mile Road.
The site will close Monday, June 15 and remain closed until further notice.
“This closure is due to illegal dumping and unacceptable levels of contamination commingled in the recyclable materials,” Escambia County said in a statement. “The contamination increases the cost of processing recycling materials. There have been multiple complaints from citizens, commuters on Nine Mile Road and neighbors using the park.”
Recyclables can taken to the Perdido Landfill Drop-Off Recycling Site located at 13009 Beulah Road. Residents can also contact their waste services company and request recycling service. ECUA customers can call (850) 476-0480.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Two Cantonment Men Arrested On Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
June 12, 2020
Two Cantonment men were arrested following a traffic stop..
Adam Luken Daw, 42, was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted Florida felon, possession of a synthetic cannabinoid, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license suspended for financial obligation. Jacob Joseph Settle, 40, was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a pickup truck pulling a small boat and trailer with no tag or operating tail lights on McKenzie Road. The passenger looked in the deputy’s direction and ducked down in his seat “as if in an attempt to conceal his identity”, an arrest report states.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 95A and Quintette Road and identified the passenger as Settle, who was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant.
An ESCO K-9 alerted on the vehicle.
During the subsequent search, deputies located a backpack containing Settle’s identification, a gun magazine containing five .22 caliber rounds, multiple baggies, glass pipes, rolling papers and a digital scale, according to an arrest report. In the passenger seat where Settle was sitting, deputies found a clear plastic bag with a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.
In a bag by the gas pedal, deputies reported finding a bag that contained four burnt spice cigarettes, a smaller bag that contained 15 loose .22 caliber rounds and a bottle that contained 51 additional .22 caliber rounds.
Settle said the backpack and its contents on the passenger side belonged to him, and the bag by the gas pedal belonged to Daw, the report states. Meanwhile, Daw told deputies that everything in the front of the truck belonged to Settle, and he did not know what was in the bag found by the gas pedal.
Settle remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday without bond. Daw was released on a $13,500 bond.