Feds Arrest Five In Local Dogfighting Ring Investigation
September 26, 2019
Five individuals have been arrested on a 44-count federal indictment charging violations of the dogfighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, and conspiracy to commit those violations.
Shane Patrick Sprague, 35, of Pensacola, Derek Jedidiah Golson, aka Derek Jedidiah Murray, 38, of Pensacola, Haley Cook Murph, 24, of Milton, Florida, David Lee Moser, 36, of Waynesboro, Tennessee, and James “Tommy” Peek, 67, of Milton, Florida were indicted a the case involving C Wood Kennels in Pensacola, Florida.
The indictment alleges that defendants Sprague and Golson operated C Wood Kennels, a dogfighting operation that arranged dogfights, allowed fighting dogs to attack “bait” animals, and trafficked in fighting dogs with defendant Moser and others outside of Florida, including through an underground dogfighting website. The indictment further alleges that defendant Peek acted as a source to supply fighting dogs to C Wood Kennels.
According to the indictment, defendant Murph’s role was that of a makeshift “veterinarian” for C Wood Kennels. Although Murph at no time possessed a veterinary license, she offered to and did perform veterinary and surgical procedures on fighting dogs so the kennel could avoid the scrutiny of a licensed veterinarian. The defendant also possessed veterinary equipment used to treat injured fighting dogs, including skin staplers, sutures, intravenous bags and lines, scalpels, and injectable animal steroids.
“As this case demonstrates, we are aggressively prosecuting dogfighters and those who support their inhumane criminal enterprises – including unscrupulous veterinarians or veterinary poseurs,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We thank our federal and local law enforcement partners who made this operation possible.”
“Dogfighting is a blight on humanity, one that has no place in the Northern District of Florida or anywhere else,” said U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida. “We will continue to work with federal and local law enforcement agencies to root out this barbaric blood sport, in Florida and beyond.”
“The provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity involving drugs, firearms, and gambling,” said Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG). “Animal fighting is an investigative priority for USDA-OIG, and together with the Department of Justice we will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who participate in animal fighting ventures.”
The federal Animal Welfare Act makes it a felony to sponsor or exhibit an animal in an animal fighting venture and to possess, train, sell, purchase, transport, deliver or receive an animal for purposes of having the animal participate in an animal fighting venture.
Pictured: Law enforcement and the ASPCA conducted an operation in the 7000 block of Beulah Road in July 2018. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Meeting Of The Minds: Senator, Others Brainstorm How To Save Century’s Failing Sewage Plant
September 26, 2019
[A NorthEscambia.com exclusive] Numerous state and local officials descended upon the sewage treatment plant in Century Wednesday. They were there to see firsthand just how bad the facility’s problems are, and talk about violations and enforcement actions. But moreso, they were there to see just how the group could come together to fix a facility that is suffering from neglect in its old age.
“Is there some place we could find a little bit of shade?” Florida Sen. Doug Broxson asked as the group arrived in a parking lot in front of a concrete block building. Most never noticed a plaque on the wall that told the story of the beginnings of the facility.
“Town of Century Wastewater System” it began, with list of town officials. Mayor Edward Ross. Town Clerk Ray Lawson, Council members that included Benny Barnes, Jerry Fischer and Marie McMurray. And town planner Debbie Nickles, who still works for the town. But at the bottom was the most important prelude to Wednesday’s meeting.
The dedication date: June 15, 1990.
That’s the real problem that has become a huge thorn in Century’s side. The plant has operated with very little preventative or routine maintenance since it opened coming up on 30 years ago. Much like never, ever changing the oil in car.
The plant operated 10,694 days leading up to Wednesday with many mechanical parts pumping, churning, filtering, spraying and moving wastewater through the cleaning process and into the Escambia River. But town officials over many previous administrations have failed to ever “change the oil” and invest dollars back into maintenance. Now major parts of the facility have failed.
The Town of Century Wastewater Treatment Facility — the Century WWTF as it is officially known — has operated without a state permit since last year. The list of environmental violations are long, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has sent warning letters totalling dozens of pages. The DEP is now talking in serious terms like consent orders and a path that could even lead to the court system or the federal EPA if something is not done. Simply put, it’s bad.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Wednesday’s group crowded into a little shade created by an equipment shed, hiding from the midday sun. There was no missing that there was an unpleasant odor in the air, but it was not as bad as might be imagined from a sewage plant that handles not only the waste from town residents but also the 1,350 or so guests at the Century Correctional Institution.
Bright red signs propped against a building nearby warned that it is a “Class B Biosolids Site. Public Access Prohibited” as Sen Broxson started a meeting that included Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, ECUA Member Larry Walker, several DEP staffers including Director Shawn Hamilton, Florida Rural Water, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, engineers…a lot of important titles, smart minds and logoed shirts.
The group faced Century Mayor Henry Hawkins, new Interim City Manager Buz Eddy and new Interim Natural Gas Supervisor Vernon Prather. Prather isn’t just a gas guy; he holds a wastewater operator permit.
NorthEscambia.com was the only media present for the brainstorming session.
Century WWTF operator Heath Burkett (pictured left) stood in the back. He took over the facility a few months ago, inheriting all the serious deficiencies as they already existed from years, even decades, prior.
“That’s an air pressure leak you hear,” Burkett said as detailed problems at the plant.
“There’s a lot going on here. This is your chance to get the county, the state and other authorities involved in solving your issues,” Broxson told the mayor and his staff, “all these things that we need to help our neighbors get on their feet.”
They detailed major issues and started a running cost list for equipment repair or replacement. The estimated bottom line? It was staggering on the scale of Town of Century economics: $4 million dollars.
“I believe the county can do about $400,000,” Barry, the District 5 commissioner, said.
“And I think the state can also do about $400,000,” Broxson said.
Those dollars will, if all goes as hoped, provided matching funds required for grants and perhaps state loans.
“Our goal is to make this a system just like the best system in the state,” Broxson said during the 90 minute meeting. “And once we do that, we have options. But the best option might not be for the city of Century to operate this.”
In fact, Broxson said, he foresees ECUA taking over the wastewater plant once it is repaired.
“If that’s the end idea, the end goal for ECUA to take it over, then all these repairs and replacements better be done now according to ECUA standards,” ECUA’s Walker (pictured left) said.
Broxson also touched on Century’s other serious financial problems, especially those of the gas department.
“You can’t continue to go down the trail you’re on,” Broxson said. “When your assets are outweighed by your liabilities, that presents a problem. I know you are not quite there yet on paper, but if we can’t help you stand this process up — your gas, your water and sewer, then…there are some pretty bleak options for you….I’ve talked to Rep. (Mike) Hill about our delegation decision that if the city were to continue to go down this road of financial distress, there are bad options for you. And I don’t want those options.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com will continue to look into the Century Wastewater Treatment Facility and other issues in upcoming stories.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Man Sentenced To Jail For Breaking Into Cantonment Camper
September 26, 2019
A man has been sentenced for breaking into a camper trailer in Cantonment.
Jonah Richard Harris received 200 days in the county jail for third degree felony burglary of an unoccupied structure, petit theft and simple assault.
Last January, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Plaza Road after a resident discovered a man later identified as Harris inside a camper. Harris fled the scene, according to the Sheriff’s Office, but was arrested a short time later.
He later threatened a woman that he made contact with as he was fleeing the area, deputies said.
Fire Alert Issued For State Of Alabama
September 26, 2019
The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has upgraded a recent fire danger advisory to a statewide fire alert. While the state is under a fire lert, permits for outdoor burning will be restricted and issued on an individual basis at the discretion of the state forester.
Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for a misdemeanor, according to AFC.
The forest commission said burning restriction is being issued because of the current drought situation, continued lack of precipitation, and high probability of fuel ignition. With this extremely dry weather, conditions are such that any fire can quickly spread out of control, not only resulting in damage to forests but also threatening lives and destroying property.
Over the last week, AFC wildland firefighters have responded to 182 wildfires across Alabama, burning approximately 2,608 acres. This does not include numerous fires suppressed by volunteer fire departments (VFDs) across the state.
This Fire Alert will remain in effect until rescinded by the state forester, at which time conditions will have changed sufficiently to reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires. To report a wildfire, call the Alabama Forestry Commission at (800) 392-5679.
In the North Escambia vicinity, the City of Atmore is under a total burn ban.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Police Chief Resigning, His Successor Is Named
September 26, 2019
The Flomaton Police Chief has submitted his resignation and his successor has been named.
The last day on the job for Chief Bryan Davis will Friday, October 4 after six years on the job He has accepted another position.
The Flomaton Town Council voted Wednesday to name Capt. Chance Thompson III as Davis’ replacement effective Saturday, October 5. The council approved his appointment on a 4-1 vote as recommended by Mayor Dewey Bondurant. Council member Buster Crapps cast the lone negative vote.
Pictured top: Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis (left) and incoming chief Chance Thompson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NY Mets Honor Former Tate Baseball Standout Jet Butler
September 26, 2019
The New York Mets have named a former Tate High School baseball standout as the winner of one of the organization’s Sterling Awards.
The Mets honored Area Scouting Supervisor Jet Butler as recipient of the 2019 Scout of the Year Award. The presentation was made at home plate of Citi Field prior to the Mets vs. Marlins game earlier this week. He has been a member of the Mets amateur scouting staff since 2014 and supervises Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Butler was selected by the Mets in the 2010 MLB Draft out of Mississippi State University. He helped lead the Tate Aggies to the 2005 Florida High School Class 4A State Championship and a ranking of 13th in the nation by Baseball America, and was the starting shortstop on the 2007 Mississippi State College World Series team.
After a four-year professional playing career, he spent one season as an assistant coach for the Florida State Seminoles before returning to the Mets.
Butler had a huge impact on the Mets’ successful 2019 Draft, signing the All Time SEC hits leader Jake Mangum, pitcher Nathan Jones, LSU All Time hits leader Antoine Duplantis, and 32nd round pick Cole Gordon, who last month received the BC Powder Outstanding Relief Pitcher Award. The Escambia County native currently resides in Brandon, Mississippi with his wife Kristen, and their two children, Jetta Marie and Knox.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Boys Golf Team Wins Sixth Match Of Season
September 26, 2019
The Tate High School boys golf team won its sixth match of the season beating Escambia and Pine Forest in the nine hole match. The team posted a score of 173. The team plays again Thursday at Perdido Bay.
Ethan Beaver led all scorers with a 39. Jackson Penton finished second with a 41.
Courts Closed Monday For Rosh Hashanah
September 26, 2019
The courts of the First Judicial Circuit will be closed Monday, September 30, in observance of Rosh Hashanah. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, October 1.
The First Judicial Circuit is comprised of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties
Still Time To Get A Special Edition Toy Story 4 Library Card
September 26, 2019
West Florida Public Libraries are offering a special edition library card during September in honor of Library Card Sign-up Month.
The special edition card features Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” characters joining the American Library Association on an adventure to promote the value of a library card.
While library cards are always free for Escambia County residents, the usual $3 replacement fee for lost or damaged cards will be waived during the month of September as part of the celebration.
September was designated as Library Card Sign-up Month by the ALA in 1987, after then Secretary of Education William J. Bennett issued a challenge. The challenge was for a national campaign encouraging every child to obtain and regularly use a library card.
Escambia County residents can find information about getting a library card or sign up at mywfpl.com/borrow/card.
Local Students Gather For ‘See You At The Pole’ (With Photo Gallery)
September 25, 2019
Students gathered to pray at their schools across the area Wednesday morning during the annual See You at the Pole event.
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a national student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government and the nation.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: See You at the Pole events Wednesday morning at schools across the North Escambia area. NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos, click to enlarge.
