FWC Law Enforcement Report: Man Was Keeping An Alligator In His House
August 31, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending August 17 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Manning responded to a call to assist the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. An individual who was arrested for child endangerment also had an alligator in his possession. The individual had constructed a special room in his home for the alligator to live. While interviewing the subject at the jail, he admitted catching the alligator and keeping it as a pet. Officer Manning seized the alligator and charged the subject with three criminal violations.
Officers Roberson, Hoomes and Pettey worked a detail on Pensacola Beach checking fishermen. One subject was seen with two redfish and was issued a citation for over the daily bag limit of redfish. Officer Pettey located another individual who was in possession of 18 Spanish mackerel. The subject was issued a citation for over the bag limit of Spanish mackerel.
Officer Pettey followed up on a deer case he made earlier this month. After meeting with the state attorney’s office, warrants were obtained for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and willful waste of wildlife. The case involved an individual who poached a deer then left it on his front porch where it spoiled in the heat for approximately 16 hours.
Officers Roberson and Mullins received a call of an oversized redfish at the Bob Sikes fishing pier. The officers arrived and located a subject who had a redfish which was measured at 37 inches, 10 inches over the maximum legal length for redfish. The subject was issued a citation for possession of oversized redfish. The fish was seized as evidence.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer J. Rockwell received a call from FWC Dispatch advising that two girls had not returned from a short tubing trip on Cold Water Creek. Officers Lugg and Land also responded to the call. In a joint effort with Santa Rosa County deputies and Santa Rosa Fire Rescue, they located the girls and returned them to their mother.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Nine Mile Road Armed Robbery Suspect Sentenced
August 31, 2017
The man who acted as a lookout in a Nine Mile Road convenience store robbery is headed to prison.
Joseph Donald Reynolds was sentenced by Circuit Judge Edward P. Nickinson to 20 years in state prison. On May 26, 2017, Joseph Reynolds pleaded no contest to the charges of robbery with a deadly weapon and battery upon a jail visitor or other detainee.
On June 15, 2016, Reynolds and co-defendant Ryan Cheney, entered the Raceway Gas Station on Nine Mile Road. While Reynolds acted as a lookout, Cheney pointed the firearm at the clerk and demanded money and cigarettes. Cheney discharged the firearm into the floor towards the clerk. Both defendants fled the scene in the getaway vehicle waiting outside driven by co-defendant, Hunter Lafoe. All three defendants were apprehended a few days later.
Cheney was convicted of armed robbery with a firearm with discharge in May 2017. Cheney was sentenced to life in state prison. Since there is no parole in Florida, Cheney will serve the remainder of his life in prison.
Hunter Lafoe pled no contest to the charge of principal to robbery with a deadly weapon in May 2017. He will be sentenced on September 8, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. He faces up to 10 years in state prison.
Editor’s note: At time of story publication, Reynolds’ mugshot was available from the Escambia County Jail.
Driver Suffers Minor Injuries In Highway 97 Accident
August 31, 2017
One person received minor injuries in a single vehicle accident on Highway 97 Wednesday afternoon in Walnut Hill. The driver of a pickup lost control just north of the Walnut Hill Fire Station, ran off the roadway struck a fire hydrant base and a small tree before coming to a stop just before hitting a power pole. The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Highway Patrol also responded to the crash. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Attorney General Warns of Disaster-Relief Charity Scams After Harvey
August 31, 2017
As Texas continues to feel the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, Attorney General Pam Bondi is asking Floridians who want to help to use caution when donating. Scammers will often use natural disasters to prey on the good intentions of others, but there are steps consumers can take to protect against charity-related scams.
“As Floridians, we know all too well the destruction a massive hurricane can cause and how vital charitable donations are in helping communities recover—but before you give, please take steps to ensure your donation will be used to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey, not a scammer exploiting the goodwill of Floridians,” said Attorney General Bondi.
Anyone wishing to donate can follow these tips to make sure gifts are used to help victims and Texas communities recover from Harvey:
- Be proactive and donate to a reputable charity, rather than wait to be solicited;
- When giving, consider donating to an established disaster-relief charity, such as RedCross.org;
- Research a charity by using Charity Navigator and by contacting the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to determine whether the charity is registered to solicit donations in Florida;
- Avoid solicitors using high-pressure tactics or hesitant to provide more information about a charitable organization;
- If donating online at a fundraising site, be sure to confirm the identity of the recipient and be careful when providing any personal contact information; and
- Contact the Attorney General’s Office at (866) 9-NO-SCAM or call the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at (703) 276-0100 to determine if there are any complaints against a charity.
Wahoos Sweep Doubleheader Against Mississippi Braves
August 31, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Hudson hit a slow roller toward Mississippi Braves second baseman Travis Demeritte who fielded the ball on the infield grass, but threw the ball wide past the first baseman Jonathan Morales.
The result — a walk-off error — scoring center fielder Jonathan Reynoso from third base to give Pensacola a, 6-5, victory in the second game of the doubleheader Wednesday in front of 4,789 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola won the first game, 4-3, to sweep the Braves and capture the series, 3-2. It snapped a streak of two series losses at home.
Hudson, not exactly known for his speed, said he closed his eyes and ran as fast as he could once he made contact.
“I really got a hold of that one,” Hudson said jokingly of the Blue Wahoos sixth walk-off win this season. “You can hit four liners in a game and not get a hit and hit one off the end of the bat and get a game winner. That’s baseball.”
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly also teased Hudson about the game-winner in the 10th inning that improved the Blue Wahoos’ record in extra-inning games to 3-6.
“It’s the Wahoo Way,” Kelly said. “He put the ball in play and obviously his speed is what got it.”
Pensacola trailed Mississippi, 5-4, heading into the bottom of the 10th. Right fielder Gabriel Guerrero hit a one-out double down the right field line. With two outs, Reynoso lined a single to center field, scoring Guerrero to tie the game, 5-5.
Reynoso also had the clutch, game-winning hit in the first game Wednesday as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning. The 24-year-old, hitting .286, singled to right field with two outs to drive in first baseman Gavin LaValley, who led off the inning with a double off the top of the yellow bumper pad in left-center field.
“He’s been really clutch since coming up,” said Kelly of Reynoso who came up from High-A Daytona Tortugas on Aug. 5. “He has a knack for putting the ball in play and finding holes.”
In the second game, Blue Wahoos second baseman Arismendy Alcantara tripled to right field when the ball scooted by Mississippi’s Connor Joe, allowing LaValley to score and tie the game, 4-4, in the fifth inning.
Mississippi took the lead, 4-3, in the fifth inning when catcher Joseph Odom crushed a solo homer to left field, his first for the Braves this season.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos first baseman Reydel Medina launched a two-out, three-run homer to left field in the fourth inning with Guerrero and Reynoso.on base to tie the game, 3-3.
Leading Mississippi at the plate was Austin Riley who hit a solo homer in both of Wednesday’s games to increase his total to eight on the season.
Mississippi hit four homers total including one by the Braves Game 2 starting pitcher Wes Parsons who ripped his first career homer to left field with two outs in the fourth inning for a 3-0 lead. Mobbed by his teammates in the dugout, Parsons is now 3-18 with two RBIs this year.
Other first game highlights included Pensacola taking a 3-1 lead in the second inning when Alcantara lined a two-out, bases-loaded doubled into the left center gap, driving in right fielder Aristides Aquino, catcher Chad Tromp and pitcher Jesus Reyes.
Additionally, Pensacola closer Tanner Rainey picked up his second save in two days for the Blue Wahoos. In his last three relief appearances, the 24-year-old, whose fastball reaches triple digits, has struck out nine of the 11 outs. For the Blue Wahoos he has 25 strikeouts in 15 innings over 12 appearances with a 1.80 ERA.
The Blue Wahoos, who improved to 31-34, are guaranteed to play in the Southern League South Division playoffs after winning the first half. They play their last five-game series of the regular season against first place Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, who they will likely play again Sept. 6 in the playoffs.
Kelly said he hopes that Cincinnati Reds top ranked prospect, third baseman Nick Senzel, is in the starting lineup soon after taking medication for an inner-ear infection.
Hudson, who has played in four consecutive minor league playoffs in the Reds farm system, said it’s odd playing Jacksonville in two-series in a row.
“We’ve always fallen short,” Hudson said. “We’d like to win one for (manager) Pat (Kelly) and for our city.”
FWC Officers Rescue More Than 200 Harvey Victims In Texas
August 30, 2017
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers are continuing to actively assist with disaster response efforts in the Houston area.
FWC officers have rescued more than 200 Texans since arriving in the area after being deployed by Governor Scott in response to Texas’ request for emergency assistance. Nearly 125 FWC officers, more than 40 boats, 17 high water vehicles, two Mobile Command Centers, and eight shallow draft vessels are currently in Texas to support ongoing search and rescue and disaster response efforts.
Contributed photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested
August 30, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in a January 24 robbery at the Compass Bank on North Davis Highway.
Nicholas Paschel was charged with robbery without a weapon for the holdup. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $100,000.
Deputies said he walked up to a bank teller wearing a motorcycle helmet and handed the teller a note demanding money. After the teller complied, he fled the bank on an orange motorcycle.
The Sheriff’s Office said a Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers tip lead to a search warrant of Paschel’s home and his eventual arrested.
Splash Pad Water Bill Costs Century Nearly $8,000
August 30, 2017
The Town of Century has paid a water bill of just under $8,000 for their new splash pad.
Town documents show the bill was $7,871.81 for water used since the splash pad was installed late last year. It official opened in March.
The town paid the water bill to it’s own water department, but it was still an actual expense for taxpayers. That is because the water was billed at the actual cost of providing it with no profit for the water department., according to a town official.
The splash pad operates on a timer system. Children push a button to turn it on, and a short time later it turns off the water until the button is pushed again.
A $50,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant was awarded to the town in October 2015 to install the splash pad. The competitive grant program provides state funds to develop lands for public outdoor recreational use, such as building or renovating sports facilities or playgrounds. Century was the only recipient of the grant in Escambia County during 2015.
Pictured: The official opening day for the Century Splash Pad last March. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
ECSO Honors Road Prison Corrections Officer That Died After Saving Inmate
August 30, 2017
A corrections officer that died after working to save a suicidal inmate was among those honored during an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office award ceremony Tuesday afternoon.
Joe Heddy Jr. died from a heart attack while trying to save the inmate’s life on June 17.
“He suffered a fatal heart attack after struggling with an inmate,” Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said. “He had responded to a cell at the Escambia County Road Prison in Cantonment after an inmate tied a bedsheet around his own neck and was tightening it in an attempt to commit suicide. He called for assistance and began to struggle with the inmate in an attempt to remove the bedsheet. The inmate continued to resist until officers were able to remove the bedsheet and subdue him.
“Officer Heddy then packed up the inmate’s belongings before calling for assistance on the radio and collapsing. Other officers initiated CPR but were unable to resuscitate him. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Officer Heddy reflect great credit upon himself, the corrections profession and the criminal justice system, Morgan said, presenting the department’s Medal of Courage to Heddy’s widow, Jill Heddy.
Also during the ceremony, a Lifesaving Medal was presented to deputies Matt Howell and Bryan Barton.
According to Morgan, the deputies responded to a call involving a mental health problem.
“The victim had a large laceration to his left forearm which was spurting blood from an arterial injury. The victim was armed with a knife and a screwdriver and told deputies he had a firearm. He warned Deputies Barton and Howell that if they came any closer that he would shoot them. The victim was losing a lot of blood fast, so Deputies Barton and Howell needed to act quickly. Deputy Barton made the decision to utilize his TASER which allowed Deputy Howell to restrain the victim and apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. The victim was transported to a hospital. An emergency room doctor advised that if the tourniquet had not been applied when it was, the victim would not have survived,” Morgan said.
FDLE Agents Brian Whittaker, Mike Jankowski and Chris Williams were commended for the roles they played in assisting the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in closing homicides last March on Klondike Road and Citrus Avenue.
Sgt. Kevin Coxwell, an investigator, was recognized for closing a 10-year old cold case homicide with an arrest.
On July 26, 2007, Barry Shipp was killed inside his barber shop. The homicide happened after what appeared to be a robbery. A year later, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement identified Demarcus Ledent as a foreign DNA contributor. Ledent denied ever having contact with the victim.
The case went cold for seven years, until Sgt. Coxwell received a call from FDLE that a source was willing to provide information on the case. During an interview with that source, Coxwell learned that Ledent was in fact at the scene of the crime, had robbed the victim first, and had also shot himself during a struggle before going to Mobile for treatment.
Coxwell learned that an individual who identified himself as Ledent’s brother reported to a Mobile hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound during that time period. The man told hospital staff he was robbed in Mobile
On December 16, 2016, Ledent was arrested on unrelated charges in Spokane, WA. Coxwell contacted the arresting officer, who took photos showing scarring to Ledent’s right knee. Ledent told the officer that he had been shot and had surgery years earlier. Coxwell traveled to Louisiana and located Ledent’s brother who stated that he had never been shot or received treatment in Mobile.
Coxwell discovered that seven shell casings were located at the scene of the homicide as well as five projectiles. The sixth projectile was removed from the victim during the autopsy and the seventh from Ledent’s leg at the hospital. These projectiles accounted for every shot fired during the robbery
On January 6, 2017, Coxwell was able to obtain a warrant for the arrest of Demarcus Ledent, for first degree premeditated murder.
Dispatcher Karen Jones was named Law Enforcement Employee of the First Quarter. A woman in Pennsylvania credited Jones for helping to save her daughter in Cantonment from a domestic violence situation.
A Civilian Service Medal was presented to the staff of staff at Scenic Hills Veterinary Clinic.
On January 19, 2017, ECSO Deputies were en route to the Escambia County Jail when they saw a large dog attacking a small dog and its owner. Deputies Robert Greene and Jose Oliveras engaged the attacking dog to stop further injury to the small dog and its owner.
The small Dachshund suffered several lacerations around its midsection. Deputy Greene asked the dog’s owner if he needed a ride to the vet office to get his dog treated. The dog’s owner told deputies that he didn’t have the money to have the dog treated. Deputy Greene offered to take the dog to the vet and cover the cost. The dog’s owner agreed.
Deputy Jose Oliveras placed the injured dog in the rear of the patrol car as a second person approached them. A second small dog, a Chihuahua, had been attacked by the same large dog and was bleeding from lacerations to the neck and midsection. The second owner, a double amputee, was also unable to afford the cost of vet care. Deputy Greene asked her if he could take her dog to the vet and he would pay for the costs. She agreed.
Deputy Oliveras placed the second dog in the patrol vehicle and Deputies Greene and Oliveras drove the dogs to Scenic Hills Veterinary Clinic. The staff of the clinic triaged the two dogs and placed them in the rear. Deputy Greene told the staff that he would be responsible for the cost.
Later, Deputy Greene received a call from the Scenic Hills Vet staff that the dogs would make a full recovery. When he arrived at the clinic to pick the dogs up, he was informed the bill was paid in full by the clinic. The clinic also provided medicine at no cost.
Other awards and recognitions included:
- Scenic Hill Hills Veterinary Clinic owner Greg Strand, veterinarians Mark Royer and Lisa Beitler, Manager Ryan Mitchell and Supervisor Hayley Brown were presented the Civilian Service Medal.
- Law Enforcement Officer of the First Quarter – Sgt. Joshua Hendershott
- Law Enforcement Officer of the Second Quarter – Deputy Neal Tipton
- Law Enforcement Employee of the Second Quater: Intelligence analyst Stephanie Brown
- Civilian Service Medal – Linda Warrick, Russell Warrick and Wesley Warrick – Diamond View Neighborhood Watch
- Longevity Awards 20 Years: Sonny Beane, Kim Mathis, Yvonne Jackson, Master Deputy J. Jarman Sr., Sergeant. S. Mashburn, Sergeant. S. Webber, Captain L. Dixon, Captain T. Greer
- Longevity Awards 35 Years – Lynn Hodge
- Newly promoted sergeants: Andrew Kilgen, Shaun White
Pictured top: Chief Deputy Chip Simmons (left) and Sheriff David Morgan as a Medal of Courage was presented posthumously to Jill Heddy, wife of corrections officer Joe Heddy Jr. Courtesy photo for North Escambia.com, click to enlarge.
Portion Of Stefani Road To Close Thursday Morning
August 30, 2017
A planned closure of Stefani Road between Nine Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road in Cantonment has been postponed. The closure and detours will now begin Thursday at 7 a.m. Construction will consist of the installation of a sanitary sewer manhole.
The roadway closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately three weeks. Every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road on or before Monday, Sept. 18. If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time period, another notice will be issued.