Cantonment Man Gets 10 Additional Years In Drug Case
December 23, 2014
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to another 10 years in state prison following another drug related conviction.
Johnathan Wayne Glass, 38, was convicted by a Santa Rosa County jury of trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Immediately following the trial, Santa
Rosa County Circuit Court Judge John F. Simon sentenced Glass to 10 years in state prison with a minimum mandatory of three years. Judge Simon ordered the 10 year sentence to run consecutively to a 15 year prison sentence he had previously imposed on Glass in September.
On February 21, 2013, members of the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at the residence Glass shared with his girlfriend, Victoria Cain, at Piney Woods Place Apartments in Milton.
During the execution of the search warrant, officers found a trafficking amount of methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia and numerous other items used to manufacture methamphetamine.
The search warrant had been obtained after Glass brought sulfuric acid into the home on February 20, to use during the process of manufacturing methamphetamine. Glass left the bottle of acid on a bathroom counter where a 3-year old child drank the acid. As a result, Glass was charged and convicted on September 18, 2014, by a Santa Rosa County Jury of child neglect causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. Judge Simon sentenced Glass to 15 years in prison in that case.
Glass is also charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and unlawful possession of listed chemicals. Those charges are set for trial on January 20, 2015. He faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison in that case.
Victoria Cain was also arrested as a result of her involvement and entered a plea to aggravated child abuse, child abuse causing great bodily harm, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of prescription drugs without a prescription, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and unlawful possession of listed chemical.
Cain testified at both trials against Glass. She is set for sentencing on February 4, 2015, before Circuit Judge Marci Goodman and faces a maximum possible sentence of 135 years.
Minor Injuries In Late Night West Roberts Crash
December 23, 2014
One person received minor injuries in a single vehicle crash late Monday night. The accident happened about 11:55 p.m. on West Roberts Road near Tate Road. A young female driver was transported to an area hospital by ambulance. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Century Offices To Close December 26 Rather Than Christmas Eve
December 23, 2014
The Town of Century normally closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but this year town leaders have decided to close town hall on Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26 to allow employees to enjoy a four-day weekend. Town offices will be open on December 24.
The closure schedule change in include all town departments such as water and gas. For more information, contact the town at (850) 256-3208.
Supreme Court: Another Circuit Judge Needed For Escambia, Santa Rosa
December 23, 2014
After lawmakers have turned down requests in recent years for more trial judges, the Florida Supreme Court on Monday said the state needs an additional three circuit judges and 32 county judges — including an additional circuit judge in the 1st Judicial Circuit, which includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
“The First Judicial Circuit continues to experience a heavy criminal workload as well as a steady number of tobacco cases, which frequently go to trial and thus require significant judicial labor,” the Supreme Court said.
The request came in an annual process known as a “certification of need” to the Legislature, which ultimately decides whether to approve new judges.
“As the state economy continues to steadily improve, we recognize that in a post-recessionary period competing demands for state funding persist across state government,” the Supreme Court said in a 10-page document. “We also note that, due in large part to the recession, the judicial branch has had no increase in trial court judges since 2007, despite a documented need.”
Video Visitation Coming To Santa Rosa County Jail
December 23, 2014
Video visitation is coming soon to the Santa Rosa County Jail, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Detention Division. Complete details are still being finalized, but the system will even allow visitors to use the system from their homes. There will be a charge for the service. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alleged Drug Dealer Beats Century Man Over Unpaid Drug Debt
December 22, 2014
A local man has been charged with allegedly beating another man with a pipe in a Century street over a drug debt.
The 61-year old victim told Escambia County deputies that he was walking in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Mincy Court in Century when he was attacked by 33-year old Johnnie Leethomas Carter. The victim said he drove up, got out of his car, and struck him several times in the face with his fist before hitting him in the back of the head with a metal pipe.
The victim told deputies, according to an arrest report, that Carter beat him because he had not paid up for a previous drug deal. He said he could positively identify Carter from the neighborhood and previous drug deals.
The victim was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital with a bloody nose, a profusely bleeding busted lip and a large knot and cut on the back of his head.
Deputies located Carter a short time later and placed him under arrest during a traffic stop at Jefferson Avenue and Pond Street. On Carter’s person, deputies reported finding a plastic bag containing what tested positive for crack cocaine.
Carter was charged with felony possession of crack cocaine and felony aggravated battery causing bodily harm. Deputies also seized his 2007 Lincoln MKX and $523 in cash.
Carter was released from the Escambia County Jail on on a $5,000 bond.
Fight Between Brothers Ends With Cantonment Stabbing
December 22, 2014
A domestic dispute between brothers ended with a stabbing Sunday night in Cantonment.
It happened just after 9 p.m. on Joshua Drive near Harlington Street. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, two brothers got into a fight. One brother, about 17-years old, was stabbed and transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment. He is expected to face domestic violence charges.
Nicholas Anthony Deluca, 19, was charged with the stabbing. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond a charge of aggravated battery using a deadly weapon.
Further details have not been released.
County Administrator Jack Brown Offered Three Year Contract
December 22, 2014
When Jack Brown started work as Escambia County administrator last June, he had accepted a one year contract and moved from Perry, FL, where he was serving as Taylor County Administrator.
And now, about halfway through that first year, the Escambia County Commission has voted to offer Brown a three year contract plus to one year extensions. His annual salary will be $170,000. The salary amount was based upon similar positions in the state.
County Commissioner Steven Barry was placed in charge of working out details like severance pay, and return to the commission in January with a complete contract for approval.
FCA Plus Beta Equals Sounds Of The Season
December 22, 2014
Members of the Northview High School FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and the Northview Beta Club recently stopped by the Century Town Hall and spreed good cheer with Christmas carols. Pictured with the FCA and Beta members are (to the right) sponsors Alison Robinson, Natalie Nall and Century staffers Angela Suggs and Erin Weekes. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Budget Surplus Grows To Near $1 Billion
December 22, 2014
The surplus for next year’s state budget is nearing $1 billion, giving lawmakers more room to bankroll their priorities as well as Gov. Rick Scott’s call for additional tax cuts and record per-student school funding.
At a meeting Monday, state economists added $622 million to the total available for Scott to use when he proposes his spending plan for the coming budget year, which begins July 1. That would be in addition to the approximately $336 million surplus that had been projected earlier.
The new numbers come with some caveats. Since the earlier projections, there are increased spending needs in some areas of the budget, though projected spending in other areas has been reduced. And economists will meet to predict whether a few other areas of the budget might demand more or less money in the future.
Scott, who won re-election in November based in part on the strength of the state’s economic recovery, wasted no time pushing for the extra money to be devoted to his priorities.
“Because we are creating an environment where our private sector can succeed, our economy is growing which makes it possible for us to invest in areas important to Florida families,” Scott said. “I look forward to working with the Legislature to continue to cut taxes by $1 billion over the next two years and increase K-12 per pupil funding to the highest level in our state’s history this coming year.”
During his campaign, Scott pledged to increase spending on public schools to $7,176 a student — about a $50 increase over the previous high-water mark, which happened in the 2007-08 budget year. Critics like the campaign of former Gov. Charlie Crist, Scott’s rival in November, said the proposal wasn’t as generous for schools when inflation was factored in.
Legislative leaders were more measured than Scott about spending the extra money.
“While it appears we will once again see a budget surplus in the upcoming fiscal year, it is important we don’t forget the principles that brought us here,” House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, said in a statement issued by his office. “We will continue our commitment to fiscal responsibility with every dollar as we prioritize funding initiatives and seek ways to continue tax relief for Florida’s families.”
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, called the forecast “great news” but was also careful.
“There is no shortage of ideas for how this slight increase in available general revenue could be spent,” he said. “While today’s news gives my Senate colleagues and I reason to approach the 2015-16 fiscal year with cautious optimism, our challenge is to remain vigilant and responsibly plan for Florida’s future.”
The increased estimates were in the state’s general revenue, which plays a key role in funding education, health care and prisons. That revenue is made up of sources such as sales taxes.
Economists said some of the growth in sales taxes — a vital revenue source for the state — was helped by lower gas prices, which would allow consumers to use their money elsewhere.
“Our belief is that most people will view that not as a permanent change but as a temporary change, like a windfall, and that they would spend it in taxable sales purchases,” said Amy Baker, the Legislature’s chief economist. “So they might spend a little bit more on Christmas, they might feel more comfortable making some other one-time purchases.”
Baker said the economists believe that gas prices will continue to be lower in future years than originally predicted, though they might tick up slightly from the current prices. She also said the conference Monday agreed to throttle back slightly on the growth of the housing market in some future years, but that stronger-than-expected growth in recent months would essentially make up for the difference.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida