Escambia Man Facing Life Sentence For Robbery
February 13, 2015
An Escambia County man is facing possible life sentence for robbing a cab driver. Lucas Jenkins was found guilty by an Escambia County jury of robbery with a firearm.
On April 17, 2014, Jenkins and his three co-defendants called for a cab. Once the cab arrived, they directed the cab driver to take them to an unoccupied trailer and then robbed the cab driver at gun point. The cab driver’s money, GPS, in car camera and cell phone were all stolen. The four suspects were later apprehended at an apartment building and at that time all of the stolen items were recovered. The gun was also found by the police at that location.
Sentencing on this conviction will be scheduled at a later date before Circuit Judge Linda Nobles. Jenkins faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The charges against Jerry Dwayne Moorer, Jr., one of the other co-defendant’s, are still pending.
At the time of his arrest for this case, Lucas Jenkins was on felony probation for robbery armed with a firearm, aggravated assault by threat and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. After his arrest for the cab driver robbery, Jenkins was found guilty of violating his probation and was sentenced on October 27, 2014 to 15 years in state prison for his violation of probation.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Awards Bravery, Dedication
February 13, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held its annual award ceremony Thursday during which several deputies will receive the Medal of Courage for rescues during the flooding and jail explosion last April.
Escambia County Jail employee Kelley Bradford was recognized with the Civilian Gold Medal of Honor, and Chris Hankinson was honored with the law enforcement Purple Heart. Hankinson was paralyzed as a result of the natural gas explosion, while Bradford is credited for saving his life.
“An explosion at the Escambia County Jail left Kelley fearing for her life, yet she was more concerned about the life of another. Seconds after the explosion, Kelley called out for her co-worker, but heard no response. When she finally found Detention Deputy Christopher Hankinson, he was unable to move and lying in debris-filled water that was beginning to fill a confined area. Kelley entered the water, grabbed his head and struggled to keep it above the water as she waited for help,” Sheriff David Morgan said. “Anxious seconds turned into minutes and minutes turned into nearly an hour. She fought to ensure his survival even as her strength nearly gave out. She was determined to do whatever it took to save his life. Forty-five minutes later ,firefighters arrived and pulled the two to safety.”
“This was just the beginning of some challenging days for Detention Deputy Chris Hankinson, whose life was changed forever. He received paralyzing injuries and had to leave his job at the jail to undergo therapy,” Morgan addded
Also Thursday, other awards were presented as promotions recognized as follows:
Awards
NCIS Special Agent Richard Campbell received the Civilian Service Medal and Deputy John Rose received a Life Saving Medal for using an AED and CPR to save the life of a heart attack victim who was able to fully recover.
Senior Deputy Terry Hammock received the Life Saving Medal for rescuing a child that trapped under a heavy box at an apartment on Nine Mile Road on July 12, 2014. Hammock starting lifesaving techniques on the child, who was blue in the face an not breathing. He begin CPR, and EMS was able to revive the child.
Kimberly Lawson was named Law Enforcement Employee of the Year for her efforts during her nine year employment.
Deputy Richard Durant was awarded the Medal of Courage and Deputy 1st Class Jason Donnelly was named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Durant and Donnelly rescuing two people trapped in rising floodwaters at a bridge on Lillian Highway.
Medals of Courage were awarded to a group of deputies for saving many lives following April’s historic flooding and for entering the Escambia County Jail to perform rescues shortly after an explosion tore through the facility. Medal of Courage recipients were: Sgt. Patrick Frazier Jr., Sgt. Curtis Cephas, Deputy Ken Holyfield, Lt. Mindy Von Ansbach Young, Deputy Michael Williams, Deputy Casey Whitlock, Lt. Lisa Dixon, Deputy Bryan Barton, Deputy Richard Durant, Deputy Jeremiah Meeks, and Deputy Mildred Smallwood.
Promotions
- From Lt. to 1st Lt. Roderick Custer, Jr.
- From Senior Deputy to Sgt. Larry Crossley II
- From Senior Deputy to Sgt. Jeffrey Swanson
- From Senior Deputy to Sgt. Johnathan Mashburn
- From Deputy 1st Class to Sgt. Delarian Wiggins
Longevity Awards
20 years
- Debra Berry-Girdner
- Lt. Darrell Allday
- Lt. Richard Baily
- Sgt. Phillip Nix
- Master Deputy Terry Brunson
- 1st Lt. Mark Jackson
25 years
- Kenneth Simmons
- Lafe (Layfe) Highfill
- Debra Lattimer
- Cynthia Broughton
30 years
Lisa Caballero
Pictured top: Purple Heart recipient Detention Deputy Chris Hankinson and Civilian Medal of Honor recipient Kelley Bradford with Sheriff David Morgan. Pictured below: Some of the ECSO Medals of Courage recipients. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Opens Season With Wins Over Pensacola High
February 13, 2015
The Northview Chiefs opened their 2015 season with wins over the Pensacola High School Tigers.
The JV Chiefs beat PHS 10-1, while the varsity Chiefs defeated Pensacola 7-3 at PHS.
The Chiefs will travel to Baker on Monday before hosting Baker on Friday.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Art On Display At School District Headquarters
February 13, 2015
3-D art from Bratt Elementary School is currently on display in the Escambia County School District headquarters in the Vernon McDaniel Building on Pace Boulevard. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Military Housing Tax Exemption Gets Support
February 13, 2015
County property appraisers would be prohibited from seeking property taxes on housing improvements at U.S. military bases in Florida, under a proposal that easily marched through its first House appearance Thursday.
The House Finance & Tax Committee unanimously backed a proposal by Rep. Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, aimed at recognizing that housing under a program known as the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, on land owned by the federal government, is exempt from ad valorem taxation.
Initiative developments can be found at several bases, including Naval Air Station Pensacola.
The Military Housing Privatization Initiative involves the military entering agreements with private developers to own and operate military-family housing.
Trumbull’s bill is in reaction to a 2012 attempt by the Monroe County property appraiser to subject such housing at Naval Air Station Key West to local property taxes. Similar efforts are underway in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, Trumbull said.
The Monroe County property appraiser contended the non-governmental title holder on the housing improvements at the Navy facility shouldn’t be exempt from the taxes. However, a circuit judge blocked the attempt, declaring that the U.S. Navy is the equitable owner of the property, according to a legislative analysis. The case has been appealed to the 3rd District Court of Appeal. “At a time when Florida is spending a significant amount of money to maintain a military presence in Florida, these actions send a terrible message,” Trumbull told the committee.
by The News Service of Florida
West Florida Lady Jags Get District Win (With Gallery); Tate Now 4-0
February 13, 2015
The defending state champion West Florida Lady Jaguars are off to a 2-1 start this season.
The Lady Jags opened their season with an eight-inning 10-9 win over the Escambia Gators, a loss to Gulf Breeze and a district win Thursday 7-2 over the Marianna Bulldogs. Mogan Freeman hit a homer for the Lady Jags, while Farrah Nicholas struck out eight.
For photo highlights from the first three WFGS games, click here.
SOFTBALL
Tate 10, Navarre 0
Tori Perkins earned the win for Tate, striking out eight and allowing four hits in five innings. Casey McCracking had two runs, two RBIs; Perkins was 2-3 with an RBI; Rachel Wright was 2-4 with 3 RBIs; and Hayden Lindsay had a run and two RBIs for the Lady Aggies.
Tate is now 4-0, 3-0 in the district.
Photos by Gary Carnley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Royal Classic Winterguard and Percussion Competition Saturday In Jay
February 13, 2015
The Royal Classic Winterguard and Percussion Competition will be held Saturday at Jay High School.
The competition beings at 4:30 with scoring to be announced at 9:15. Admission is $10; full concessions will be available during the entire event.
Over 20 groups are scheduled to perform
Navy Helicopter Suffers ‘Training Mishap’ In Pace
February 12, 2015
A training wing helicopter suffered a “training mishap” this afternoon at Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s Navy Outlying Landing Field Spencer in Pace.
Initial reports from the scene indicate that the helicopter rolled on its right side while landing, and the two pilots exited the helicopter on their own accord. The pilots were evaluated by NAS Whiting Field EMS personnel and weretransported to Santa Rosa Medical for a routine evaluation.
The incident is still being investigated and further details will be released as they become available, according to a statement from the Naval Air Station Whiting Field Public Affairs Office.
Four People Injured In Cantonment Crash
February 12, 2015
Four people were injured in a two vehicle crash in Cantonment this morning.
One vehicle came to rest on its roof following the accident on Highway 95A just north of East Roberts Road this morning. In addition to the four injuries that were transported to area hospitals by ambulance, one other person involved in the 5:50 a.m. crash refused medical treatment.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Three Winning Tickets In $564 Million Powerball Drawing
February 12, 2015
There were three winning tickets sold in North Carolina, Texas and Puerto Rico in Wednesday night’s $564 million Powerball lottery drawing — one of the country’s largest prizes in history. The tickets matched the winning numbers 11, 13, 25, 39, 54 with a Powerball of 19.
The odds at winning with a single ticket were estimated at 175 million to one.
The Powerball is played in 44 states, but Alabama does not participate. That led to a steady stream of hopeful winners at lottery retailers on Highway 97 south of Atmore Wednesday afternoon and into the evening.
Pictured: A billboard just a few feet into Florida teases a $500 million jackpot to those driving into Florida early Wednesday afternoon on Highway 97 from Atmore, AL. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.