ECCO: Man Posing At Deputy Arrested For Bail Bond Scam
March 22, 2025
A man accused of posing as a law enforcement officer to scam a woman out of $10,000 was arrested on March 20, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Deputies responded to a fraud complaint at a bondsman’s office on Pace Boulevard on March 17 after the victim reported receiving a call from a man claiming to be with the ECSO. The caller falsely told her she had a warrant for her arrest and needed to bring $10,000 in cash to the bail bondsman.
The victim met the suspect in the parking lot but grew suspicious when he failed to provide proper identification. He fled on foot before deputies arrived.
Investigators later identified the suspect as Christopher Michael Roof, 47, and charged him with grand theft, scheme to defraud, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Roof remained in the Escambia County Friday without having made his own $10,000 bond.
FHP Investigating Scenic Hills North Hit And Run Involving A Child On A Bicycle
March 22, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a possible hit and run involving a pickup truck and a bicycle in the Scenic Hills North area.
On March 18, at approximately 5:15 p.m. an 8-year-old boy riding a bicycle on Spalding Circle at Tam O Shanter Road was involved in a hit-and-run incident after colliding with a silver or gray pickup truck. FHP said the incident occurred when the child, riding improperly in the roadway, failed to yield to oncoming traffic and ran a stop sign before making a left turn in front of the vehicle. The front of the bike struck the right side of the truck, causing the boy to fall to his right side.
According to witnesses, the pickup truck immediately left the scene. A bystander reported seeing a white male in his twenties operating the vehicle.
The child sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.
Investigators found no debris from the pickup truck and no visible damage on the bicycle indicating a direct collision. Troopers said the bike’s damage was limited to the right handlebar and was consistent with the fall. Authorities have identified the silver or grey pickup truck as a vehicle of interest in the case.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is asking for any information related to this incident. Witnesses are encouraged to contact *FHP and reference this case.
File photo.
Some Charges Dropped Against Former Ernest Ward Middle Bookkeeper Charged With Grand Theft Over $50,000
March 21, 2025
Some of the charges have been dropped against a former Ernest Ward Middle School bookkeeper that was charged last year with embezzling over $50,000 in cash from the school and its organizations.
Lindsey Dawn Kelley of McDavid, now age 41, was arrested in October 2024 charged with grand theft, scheme to defraud and false entry in books of business. This week, the scheme to defraud and false entry in books of business charges were dismissed by prosecutors, according to court records. The reason for the dismissal was not noted in immediately available court documents.
According to investigators, she stole cash collected by school organizations over a 13-month period.
Kelley quit her bookkeeping job at the school in Walnut Hill before the first week of the 2024 school year following her arrest on unrelated credit card fraud and grand theft charges in which a relative was the alleged victim. That prompted Principal Tyvanna Boulanger to request that the Escambia County School District complete an internal audit of the school’s bookkeeping and financial records.
Both cases are still pending, with Kelley due back in court in June.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Kelly collected $52,278.98 in cash from various organizations that was stolen between July 1, 2023, and August 30, 2024:
- Change Fund-$300
- FFA-$4,047.50
- Honor Society – $310
- Shop- $650
- Volleyball/basketball – $4,001.65
- Cheer – $28,192.34
- SGA/track – $850
- Football – $200
- Band – $1,840
- Library/yearbook/drama – $4,670.49
- Culinary-$865
- 6th grade- $1,786
- 8th grade – $2,756
- 7th grade- $1,810
“It should be noted that this amount does not reflect any money stolen from Earnest Ward Middle School prior to July 1, 2023,” the arrest report states.
The report states that in the school year before Kelley was hired as a bookkeeper at EWMS, the school deposited $82,475.24 in cash for school organizations. The report notes after Kelly was hired as school finance specialist in August 2020, cash deposits were as follow:
- 2019-2020 – $46,736.28 cash deposited
- 2020-2021 – $23,270.08 cash deposited
- 2021-2022 – $29,782.46 cash deposited
- 2022-2023 – $18,733.64 cash deposited
- 2023-2024 -No Cash Deposited
The school district told investigators that Kelley was audited in the 2022-2023 school year and the audit noted Kelley had a “lack of organization led to several issues, the most severe of which was the inability to locate entire records for deposits and receipts.” Kelley has not been charged with any school related crime that occurred prior to July 1, 2023.
Kelley was interviewed by ECSO investigators on October 23, 2024.
“One at a time, we spoke with teachers/sponsors of the different school organizations who had given cash to Kelley during the previous school year for their organizations,” a investigator reported. “There was zero cash deposited to the school’s bank account during the 2023-2024 school year so all cash that was given to Kelley is now missing.”
“Immediately upon beginning the interview, Kelley stated that she took the money. Kelley didn’t know the amount of money that she had taken because she had taken it over time and didn’t keep track of it,” the ECSO report states. Deputies said the money was deposited in her credit union account or added to a GreenDot account.
“I advised Kelley of the amounts stolen from each team/organization and that the total amount stolen for the 2023-2024 school year adds up to $52,278.98,” the investigator wrote in his report. “While surprised, Kelley did not disagree with that amount and advised that if that was the amount that had been determined, then that was the amount that she had stolen. When asked about the balance statements for the teams/organizations, she admitted to editing them on an Adobe program so that they wouldn’t discover the low balances of the accounts. At the conclusion of the interview, Kelley advised that she was remorseful and would never do something like this again.”
In addition, school administration alleged that all documents such as purchase orders, money collected forms, along with receiving invoices and documents were missing.
Applications Close Next Week For HERricane: Escambia 2025 For Girls Grades 7-9
March 21, 2025
Escambia County Emergency Management is inviting girls entering the 7th,, 8th, and 9th grades to apply for the HERricane: Escambia 2025 Program. Applications close next wee.
The four-day-long camp will be held June 10-13 at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center.
HERricane is a girls’ summer camp to help rethink and improve outreach and engagement around emergency preparedness. The HERricane program was launched in Arlington, Va. in 2017 and has expanded throughout the United States since then. HERricane empowers women to pursue careers and leadership roles in emergency management through a week-long “camp,” and includes long-term professional development opportunities. Its mission is to develop and elevate women as leaders in emergency management and related careers while expanding the image of these professions as a positive force for improving public safety and government.
For an application, click here.
The HERricane Escambia Advisory Board will select up to 20 girls to participate in the 2025 program. The camp is FREE for students to participate. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 28. HERricane may be rescheduled or canceled in the event of severe weather, natural disasters or real-life emergencies.
This program is open to young girls living in Escambia County who will be entering grades 7-9 for the 2025-2026 school year.
Applications for HERricane must be filled out by hand using a blue or black ink pen and should not be completed by a parent/guardian. To submit your application, please mail or drop off applications at the Escambia County Public Safety building, located at 6575 N. “W” St., Pensacola, FL 32505. Office hours are Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Applicants may also scan the completed application and email it to HERricane@MyEscambia.com.
Deputy Crista Pope Named ECSO Employee Of The Month
March 21, 2025
Deputy Crista Pope was named the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Employee of the Month for March. Pope is assigned to the Century Precinct. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Arrest
March 21, 2025
A routine traffic stop in Century led to the arrest of a passenger for possession of marijuana greater than 20 grams.
Deputies stopped a gray Chrysler Town and Country near the Century Food Mart on North Century Boulevard due to a partially detached license plate. The driver, who did not have a valid license, stated he was operating the vehicle because the owner was too intoxicated to drive.
During the stop, deputies observed an open container of vodka in the back seat and conducted a probable cause search. A clear plastic bag containing approximately 42 grams of marijuana was found under the front passenger seat, where 23-year-old Cheyenne Brooke Philyaw was sitting, according to an arrest report.
Philyaw denied ownership of the drugs, claiming the driver threw the bag under her seat upon arrival at the store. However, she was taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Jail on a charge of possession of marijuana over 20 grams. She was later released on a $2,500 bond.
The driver told deputies that he did not throw the marijuana under the seat, and he did not know there was marijuana in the vehicle The driver was cited for driving with a suspended license and given a court date in April.
Ribbon Cutting Set For Community Park In Gonzalez
March 21, 2025
A ribbon cutting has been set for the new Jennings Gonzalez Park at 1552 Goldenrod Road.
The park has been open to the public since February 10 and is open each day from sunrise to sunset. The. community park features a playground with a slide, numerous climbing structures, and additional play features for all ages.
The ribbon cutting will take place on Wednesday, April 2 at 2 p.m.
Jennings-Gonzalez Park is Escambia County’s second park addition in District 5 recently, following the newly-opened Paper Park near International Paper in Cantonment.
“This new park offers even more opportunities for children and families in District 5 to get outside and play, which is a critical part of creating a wonderful quality of life for our residents,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “I appreciate the Jennings family and the greater Gonzalez community for their support and continued contributions in District 5, and I’d like to thank our Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments for continuing to add amenities like this that our residents will enjoy for many years to come.”
RELATED STORY: New ‘Paper Park’ At Former IP Golf Course Is Now Open
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Falls To First Academy In Aggie Classic Championship (With Gallery)
March 21, 2025
On a cold, windy night in the Aggie Nation, Tate fell 13-7 to The First Academy Royals of Orlando in the 30th Annual Aggie Classic championship game.
The Royals took a 6-2 lead in the second with five runs on five hits, including a two-run homer to right field.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Kaden Posta went 3-4 for the Aggies at bat. Nathan Connors had two RBIs to lead Tate, as he went 2-5 for the night, and Kaleb Posta went 2-4.
Lance Brady opened the mound for the Aggies, giving up seven hits and six runs in one inning as he walked one and struck out one. Keelan Beasley threw four and a third innings in relief, surrendering three hits and five hits (three earned) while walking four and striking out five. Conners went for one and two-third innings, allowing two runs and two hits.
Following spring break, Tate returns to action with a trip to the Pine Forest Eagles on March 25.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jake Livingston’s Big Blackcats Dream: A New Gym for Century’s Kids
March 20, 2025
Jake Livingston, a resident of Century, is, without a doubt, a sports fan. But more than that, he is fan of sports and opportunities for kids.
Everybody around Century, and pretty much every Northview High School student or fan ever, just loves Jake. Or Northwest Escambia football. Or the Century Blackcats youth sports leagues. And he loves them, everyone back. He does not know a stranger.
Jake is always looking for a way to help with youth and sports.
This week, Jake arrived at the Century Town Council meeting with what just looked like a roll of Christmas wrapping paper in his hand. Despite his autism, he sat quietly and patiently through two hours of the local government meeting waiting his turn to speak during the public form portion at end of the meeting. You see, Jake had something to say — for the kids.
“Council, I’ve got something that is going to bring economics to Century like you’ve never seen before,” he said as he approached the council table and unrolled his Christmas wrapping paper. Hand drawn on the back was Jake’s big idea. His really big idea.
“I drew this out by myself,” he said. “This is for some of the ideas I had for the place.”
Jake presented his plans for a new Blackcats gym for youth sports. (The former Century High School mascot was the Blackcats, and Blackcat Pride has remained a big part of the community since the school closed 20 years ago.)
Smoke coming out of a Blackcats scoreboard when the kids score in the gym. A food room, locker for every and plenty of fan seats were all part of the plan.
“These kids need a place to play basketball inside where they don’t get rained on,” he said. “That’s why I brought this out here to y’all.”
“Go Blackcats!”
Jakes dream will actually become reality in the not so horribly distant future.
The state terminated $12.8 million in grants with the town for two bridges and a hurricane shelter that will double as a community center and multi-purpose building — including a basketball court. However, the state funds were awarded to Escambia County and the projects will continue.
The $10 million project is currently in the early stages and is being managed by the Escambia County facilities department. Land on Hecker Road was transferred from Pensacola State College to Escambia County at no cost to the county, under the conditions that it must remain a community center/shelter. Phase I will include an environmental study. From there, they will bid for design and move forward with the process. Escambia County said negotiations are ongoing as an environmental review has been advertised and a consultant has been selected.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Prom Promise Demonstration Shows High Schoolers The Reality Of Drunk Driving
March 20, 2025
A realistic DUI crash demonstration involving students gave Flomaton High School students a dose of reality on Wednesday morning.
One student, the DUI driver, was arrested. Two were transported to the hospital — one by helicopter in critical condition.
One student did not survive.
The demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.
For a more photos, click here.
“You can talk about something all day long and it doesn’t set in their minds,” Flomaton Police Chief Dereck Lowry said. “When they see something in person, and they see the blood, or they see the people being put in the ambulance, they see the people being put on life flight, they see the people getting put in a hearse, it brings it home a little bit more for them, makes it a little more personal.”
Multiple agencies took part in the student demonstration Wednesday, including the Flomaton Fire Department, Flomaton Police Department, Century Station of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Department, Newmans Ambulance, MedStar Aircare 2, Williams Funeral Home. Peach Ford/Chevrolet Wrecker Service, Lambeth Fire Department, and Brewton Fire Department.
Photos by Katie Fowler for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Th
e demonstration was all part of the school’s Prom Promise program, encouraging the students to not drink and drive.