Three Federally Indicted In Stolen Identity, Bank Fraud Ring
March 25, 2026
Three Escambia County residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in an alleged stolen identity and bank fraud ring.
Donny Bernard Ross, 49, Elizabeth Ann Rogers, 39, and Vontavius Jamaal Bradley, 23, face charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, use of a false passport, and aggravated identity theft.
All three defendants appeared for their arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho in Pensacola. A jury trial is scheduled for May 4, 2026, before United States District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy to commit bank fraud count; up to 10 years’ imprisonment on the use of a false passport count; and a mandatory two years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence on the aggravated identity theft count.
The case was a joint investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Nine In A Row As Northview Run-Rules West Florida; Tate Tops Washington
March 25, 2026
Northview 13, West Florida 2
Make it nine and counting.
The Northview Chiefs earned their ninth consecutive win on Tuesday night with a 13-2 defeat of the West Florida Jaguars.
Jack Boutwell earned the win in a run-rule shortened five-inning game, allowing three hits and two runs while walking two and striking out five.
Jackson Bridges and Jase Portwood both had three hits, while Bryant Mason and Bridges each recorded three RBIs.
Tate 3, Washington 2
The Tate Aggies got past Washington 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Bryton McLellan earned the win on the mound, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned), striking out seven and walking three.
Nathan Conners went 2-4 on the night with two RBIs. Cal Foxworth was 1-2, driving in one run.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Charlene Joan Rounsaville
March 25, 2026
In Loving Memory of Charlene Joan Rounsaville
January 11, 1938 – March 23, 2026
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Charlene Joan Rounsaville, aged 88, on March 23, 2026: a cherished former schoolteacher, devoted wife, and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Joan leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness.
Born in Atmore, Alabama, Joan graduated from Escambia County High School in 1957 and earned her degree in English education from Howard College (now Samford University) and a master’s from the University of New Mexico.
She first married Lee Douglas Coker Sr., a military serviceman, and after 18 years together, endured his passing with grace.
Joan dedicated herself to teaching at Escambia County Middle School, where countless students found inspiration and guidance under her nurturing care. She later married Donnell Rounsaville, a fellow educator, and their union flourished in shared passion and community commitment.
Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Charles James White and Thelma Opal Tullis White; both husbands; her son Lee Douglas Coker Jr.; and her siblings, Maurice Earl White, James Riley “Pete” (Gerry) White, and Thelma Jean (Aubrey) Till.
She is survived by her son, Charles (Mishalene) Coker; daughter-in-law, Felicia Brantley Coker; stepchildren, Steve (Darlene) Rounsaville, Clay (Holly) Rounsaville, Robert Rounsaville, and Kathy (Orbi) Gonzalez; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 27, 2026, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL, to celebrate Joan’s life and legacy, with Rev. Arnold Hendrix officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Marilyn Lynn Dannelley Luker
March 25, 2026
Marilyn Lynn Dannelley Luker, 70, of Atmore, AL, passed away on March 24, 2026. Marilyn was born on May 29, 1955, to Johnny and Irma Wall Dannelley.
She owned and operated Moma Marilyn’s Day Care for many years and loved her Daycare Babies.
She enjoyed Alabama football, fishing, shopping, dancing, and spending time with her family; she especially loved her grandchildren and her pets: Sassy, Cocoa, Deeder, and Buddy.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Heather Luker; her grandchild, Butterbean, and one great-grandchild.
She is survived by her son Stevie (Dawn) Luker of Atmore, AL; her daughter, Amber (Glendon) Harrison of Atmore, AL; her sister, Reginia (Wayne) Barrow of McCullough, AL; two grandchildren, Alanna Johnson, Jacob (Gracie) Luker; and 7 great-grandchildren, Farrah, Jaiden, Jase, Makenleigh, Stetson, Emily and Wrenley.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 27, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Richard Daniels officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Active Pallbearers will be Leo Luker, Jonathan Luker, Noah Luker, Jacob Luker, Jed Dukes, and Ryan Linam. Honorary Pallbearers will be Glendon Harrison, Eric Hall, and Wayne Barrow.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Crashed Drone At Century Prison Leads To 81-Year Contraband Sentence
March 24, 2026
A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to decades in prison for using drones to smuggle drugs and other contraband into state prisons, including Century.
Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Office of Statewide Prosecution secured an 81-year prison sentence for 36-year-old Mario Crawford. Crawford, a career criminal with at least 49 prior convictions, orchestrated a scheme to smuggle drugs and contraband into Florida Department of Corrections facilities utilizing drones. Uthmeier made the announcement on Monday outside the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution.
The investigation was launched on September 22, 2022, when Century Correctional Institution officers located a crashed drone with a package of contraband attached. The contraband items found near the prison on Tedder Road included cell phones, SIM cards, charging cords, tobacco, cocaine, methamphetamines, and razor blades.
The crashed DJI drone and the contraband, sealed in a plastic bag, were located on the property of the then-closed Century Correctional Work Camp, just west of the main prison on Tedder Road.
Investigators collaborated with the FAA to trace the drone’s ownership back to Crawford. In March 2023, Crawford was arrested on charges of introduction or possession of contraband at state facilities, conspiracy to introduce or possess contraband at state facilities, trafficking in over 10 grams of cathinone (a stimulant drug), illegal use of a drone, and use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony.
Investigators identified additional drone deliveries of similar contraband items at Liberty Correctional Institution and Okaloosa Correctional Institution. These incidents also traced back to Crawford.
On March 12, 2026, a jury found Crawford guilty on all counts.
“Trafficking drugs and razor blades into our prisons puts the lives of Florida’s corrections officers at risk, and that risk is not something we are going to tolerate,” said Uthmeier. “Someone with 49 prior convictions for dangerous crimes should’ve never been allowed to walk free again, but my office is cracking down on career criminals, and he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. I thank Secretary Dixon, his team, and our Statewide Prosecutors for their commitment to justice and the safety of Floridians.”
“The criminal use of drones is a growing crisis that demands immediate action if we want to keep our officers and institutions safe. I’m thankful for Attorney General James Uthmeier and our law enforcement partners who recognize this security threat from above, and are committed to helping us thwart this dangerous criminal enterprise,” said Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon. “The impact of eliminating these threats cannot be overstated, and Florida will continue to lead when it comes to drone mitigation and contraband prevention.”
“We are proud a drug dealer is off the streets and going to prison where he belongs,” said Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson. “His actions dropping drugs into and around prisons endangers all the amazing staff that work inside the prison. We will continue to aggressively pursue these types of drug dealers and put them in jail.”
Crawford’s criminal history includes 49 convictions, including armed burglary, grand theft, various weapons charges, fraud, and trafficking in stolen property.
Crawford will serve his 81-year sentence in the Florida Department of Corrections.
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Outside Fire Spreads To Destroy Home North Of Ten Mile Road; Pets Rescued
March 24, 2026
Escambia County Fire Rescue said a Sunday morning fire that destroyed a home north of Ten Mile Road was caused by an outside fire that spread.
The fire was reported at 11:42 a.m. in the 10000 block of Senegal Drive.
ECFR said fire crews were initially dispatched to an outside fire that spread to two nearby homes. The first-arriving crews saw heavy flames coming from the roof of one of the homes. While firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the flames, an ECFR crew from Bellview searched the home and rescued two family pets.
The fire was brought under control by 12:07 p.m. The first home was a total loss, while the home next door sustained exterior damage. There were no injuries or fatalities.
The American Red Cross provided assistance to the displaced occupants.
Young Men, Including Three Ransom Middle Students, Graduate From Sheriff’s Blazer Academy
March 24, 2026
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recently held graduation exercises for the Sheriff’s Blazer Academy Class of 2026.
The young men spent weeks developing lifelong skills. They learned how to do a proper handshake, how to put on a tie, how to present themselves, and much, much more.
After the ceremony, the graduates had a celebratory dinner at The Global Grill, where they made a toast to completing the academy and their futures.
From Ransom Middle School, Sheriff’s Blazer Academy graduates included Keylin Stallworth, Caiden Gremillion, and John Bosson V.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Town of Century: Pay Past Due Utility Bills By Tuesday To Avoid Disconnection
March 24, 2026
The Town of Century has had problems in recent months with utility billing that delayed disconnections, but now the town says past due balances must be paid in full on Tuesday.
According to a social media post by Town Clerk Carrie Moore, disconnections will take place on Wednesday, March 25, for accounts with past due balances.
“To avoid interruption of service, all past due balances must be paid in full before the disconnection date,” the post stated. “No exceptions will be made on disconnection day.”
Bills can be paid in-person at the Century Town Hall, or contact the town at (850) 256-3208 for an online payment link or questions. Town Hall is open from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The post stated that an “account will have to be paid in full if disconnected,” and reconnection fees will apply.
Current charges on the bill dated March 4, 2026, are not up for disconnection until April 27, the town noted.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Molino Man Arrested Months After Alleged Domestic Assault With Axe
March 24, 2026
A Molino man was recently arrested on an outstanding warrant in connection with an alleged domestic violence battery and assault late last year.
Kevin Ashton Pippins, 29, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, and domestic battery by strangulation. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $15,000 on the felony charges.
On November 03, 2025, Pippins’ girlfriend alleged he choked her and beat her, grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground, before choking her. She said he swung an axe at the floor multiple times just inches from her toes while stating, “I’m going to kill you,” according to an arrest report.
The deputy noted the victim suffered small spotty bruising on her legs and had red marks on her neck, the report continues.
A warrant was issued following the incident.
Tate Grad Wine Named Sun Belt Softball Player Of The Week
March 24, 2026
Tate High School graduate Kara Wine was recenthly named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week.
Wine, a freshman, was instrumental in helping South Alabama post a 3-1 record, including a Sun Belt series sweep of in-state rival Troy.
In her four outings, Wine led the club with a .500 batting average and reached base safely in seven of her 12 plate appearances while drawing a pair of walks. The freshman catcher drove in five runs, homered twice and posted three extra-base hits, as she had at least one hit and one RBI in each game.
Against ninth-ranked Florida State, Wine went 2-for-2 with a home run, a double and a walk. In the series against Troy, she broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two-out, RBI-single in the Jags’ 3-2.
In a 7-0 win, Wine lined a bases-loaded, two-run single up the middle in the top of the first inning. Behind the plate, she helped the Jaguar pitching staff secure its conference-leading eighth shutout of the season. In Sunday’s 5-4 victory, Wine’s sixth-inning home run provided insurance and proved to be the game-winning run.
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