Bond Set For Bratt Man Charged With Molesting Child; ECSO Says It Was Captured On Camera
February 18, 2021
A 69-year old Bratt man is facing multiple felony charges for molesting a child, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says it was all captured on camera.
David Lee Roley was booked into the Escambia County Jail Wednesday night on three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years of age. If convicted, Roley faces life in prison.
Roley remained in jail Thursday with bond set at $150,000.
On February 11, the ECSO Special Victims Unit and Century patrol units were notified that Roley possibly molested a child under age 12. The girl told her school guidance counselor that Roley did something sexual to her, but she did not want to talk about it, according to the arrest report.
“Through the investigation it was determined on January 1st of 2021, Roley did commit this crime and it was caught on camera,” the ECSO said in a social media post Wednesday night. “It’s believed there could possibly be additional victims of Roley that have yet to be identified to the ECSO.”
The Sheriff’s Office asked that anyone that believes they are a victim or that has information call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Report Details Allegations
Some readers may find the following details disturbing.
The girl’s father told deputies that he heard Roley pull up on his Kawasaki Mule UTV at which point he looked out the widow observed Roley’s hand on the outside of the victim’ clothes between her legs, the report states. The father captured the incident on his cellphone and then went outside to get the victim off Roley’s UTV. He told Roley he was never allowed around the victim or back on their property, the report states.
The ECSO collected three photographs from the father’s phone that reportedly showed Roley with his arm around the girl and his hand between her legs over her clothes.
In an interview, the victim told investigators that Roley touched her “private parts” at least two days in a row around Christmas vacation when she was out of school. The victim stated Roley would tell her that she is pretty, put his hands on her private parts and rub them through her clothes, according to investigators. The girl stated it made her uncomfortable and she would move his hand. At one point, she said she tried to leave, but Roley grabbed her by the hand and told her not to leave because he still wanted to touch her.
The victim also told investigators that Roley would touch her when they went for rides on a two-seat horse-drawn wagon, or while riding in a “go cart.”
“Roley would touch her they were alone and he told her not to tell anybody because it was their little secret,” the report states.
During an interview at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Roley told investigators that the photographs taken by the father showed him touching the girl’s waist.
“That’s the only time I come close down there,” Roley stated, according to the report. He said he has touched her several time on the leg while demonstrating by patting the inside of his thighs.
Roley stated he was telling investigators everything he could remember and “he doesn’t remember a whole bunch,” according to the report. Investigators asked if it was possible he touched the girl in a sexual manner.
A portion of Roley’s response was redacted from the report, but it states Roley replied, “I don’t remember.”
Century And State Prison System Reach $181K Utility Rate Increase Agreement
February 18, 2021
The Town of Century and the Florida Department of Corrections have come to terms on utility rate increases.
At a minimum, the new rates for the Century Correctional Institution are forecast to net $181,121 annually for Century.
Under a proposed contract, the FDC will pay $2.75 per 1,000 gallons of water, up 20.6% from the current $2.28. For sewer, the FDC will pay $4.45 per 1,000 gallons, a 36.9% increase over the current $3.25.
The biggest financial gain for Century will come on natural gas. The Department of Corrections currently pays no monthly base rate and $0.195 per 100 cubic feet. That will increase to a $4,000 monthly base rate and $0.265 per 100 cubic feet, plus the cost of natural gas. Based upon typical use, Century will see their annual margin increase 170% from a current $35,900 to $96,781 per year under the new agreement.
“That’s game changer for our gas system,” Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather said.
Improper and late billing by the town have plagued the town’s relationship as a utility provider for the state prison. That has led to disputes that appeared to be headed to court, but both sides will concede with the new rate structure.
“My goal in all this was negotiate, not litigate,” Prather said. He said that by forgiving any possible back billing, the town will come out financially ahead in a matter of just a few months.
“It’s a good restart for the town,” he said. “I felt like they (FDC) dealt with the town in a fair manner.
After legal review, the Town of Century and the Florida Department of Corrections are expected to sign the new rate agreement within about 30 days.
Pictured: A Town of Century water tower at the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Fall To Lowest Level Since Early December
February 18, 2021
The number of Escambia County COVID-19 daily hospitalizations has fallen to the lowest level since early December.
There were 107 people currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Escambia County on Wednesday. That’s the lowest since December 9 and coming off a spike of 291 on January 14.
COVID-19 hospitalizations between the three local hospital systems are continuing to go down, but it’s important that we continue to work together to bring these numbers down for our community and for our hospitals,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said Wednesday.
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Data source: Escambia County, City of Pensacola. Graphics: City of Pensacola, Escambia County.
Escambia Vaccine Shipments Delayed To Weather; Appointments Being Rescheduled
February 18, 2021
The health department is in the process of rescheduling appoints after COVID-19 vaccine did not arrive in time to meet this week’s goals.
Due to inclement weather, this week’s COVID-19 vaccine shipment was delayed impacting this week’s distribution plan in Escambia County. The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) expects to receive its allocation of 2,500 doses of the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine next week.
FDOH-Escambia and partner organizations are in the process of rescheduling vaccine appointments for the week of February 22. Do not contact providers directly for these appointments.
Upon the arrival of this week’s vaccine shipment FDOH-Escambia will distribute vaccine as follows:
Ascension Sacred Heart: 400 doses
Baptist Health Care: 400 doses
Community Health Northwest Florida: 800 doses
FDOH-Escambia: 500 doses
West Florida Hospital: 200 doses
Woodlands Medical Specialists: 200 doses
Planning for next week’s allocation will continue as soon as the health department is notified, and will be distributed in addition to any delayed vaccine originally planned for distribution this week.
FDLE Charges Escambia Woman With Stealing $300,000 From Her Employer
February 18, 2021
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents arrested an Escambia County woman Tuesday on for fraud and money laundering.
Cassondra Leigh Moreno, 42, was charged with one count of organized fraud and four counts of money laundering.
The investigation began in June 2020 when Moreno’s employer, a beverage distributor, advised FDLE that it had noticed a $300,000 accounting discrepancy involving stolen money orders, which appeared to be linked to Moreno. The employer oversees sales in numerous stores from Pensacola to Panama City. The investigation revealed that over a four-year period, Moreno used her position as a transportation supervisor to engage in a scheme to defraud. She modified her employer’s accounting system to conceal the amount of money orders she had stolen, according to FDLE.
FDLE said an analysis of her personal financial records revealed that she received over $300,000 between 2017-2020 by depositing hundreds of stolen money orders into her accounts. She resigned from her job in May 2020.
Moreno’s bond was set at $75,000.
Tate Wins Regional Quarterfinal On Penalty Kicks
February 18, 2021
The Tate Aggies won the Region 1-6A quarterfinals on penalty kicks over Lake City Columbia Tuesday night .
Up next, the Aggies will will host Niceville Saturday night at 7:00 at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
Photo: The Tate Aggies celebrate there District 1-6A championship win over Niceville last week. Photo: Tate Soccer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Prosser Crow Signs Tennis Scholarship With Huntington College
February 18, 2021
Tate High School’s Prosser Crow has signed an academic and tennis scholarship with Huntington College. Crow will pursue a physical therapy degree.
“We are so very proud of his hard work and dedication,”said David Bonucchi, Tate High tennis coach.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Freezing Again Thursday Night
February 18, 2021
Here is your official north Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 32. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 48. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
No Additional COVID-19 Deaths, 68 More Cases Reported In Escambia County
February 18, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were no additional COVID-19 deaths and 68 more cases in Escambia County reported Wednesday by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 32,958 (+68)
Non-Florida residents: 3,410
Recovered: 30,855*
Total deaths: 598
Long-term care facility deaths: 259
Current hospitalizations: 120 (-3)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,316
Percent positive reported last day: 4.4%
Percent positive reported last week: 8.9%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 24,553 (+53)
Cantonment: 2,978 (+6)
Century: 1,135
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 451 (+1)
McDavid: 195 (+2)
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 49
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 16,616 (+59)
Non-Florida residents: 211
Total deaths: 246 (+2)
Long-term care facility deaths: 75
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 756*
Number of tests reported last day: 485
Percent positive reported last day: 10.7%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 7,972 (+25)
Navarre: 3,361 (+17)
Gulf Breeze: 3,114 (+10)
Pace: 1,316 (+5)
Jay: 513 (+2)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,844,627
Florida residents: 1,811,078
Deaths: 29,311
Hospitalizations: 76,825*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***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 is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Roy F. “Frank” Willis, Jr.
February 18, 2021
Roy F. “Frank” Willis, Jr. died Monday, February 15, 2021 at home.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy F. Willis and Essie Porter Willis; son, Jeff Willis; and brother, Larry Willis.
Frank is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Linda; grandchildren, Taylor Willis and Lane Willis; and sister, Connie Roper.
Frank was in the automobile business for several years. He was the owner and operator of Willis Auto Sales in Pensacola and Bay Minette, AL.
Pallbearers will be Robert Mitchell, Tex Sinon, Lane Willis, Brent Roberts, Dudley Herrington, and Brent Cravey.
Funeral services will be held at 1PM on Friday, February 19, 2021 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor William Chancery officiating. Burial will follow in Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 5PM to 7PM on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at the funeral home.