FWC Law Enforcement Report
August 23, 2014
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending August 21.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Cushing received a complaint through dispatch that an individual was spearing egg-bearing blue crabs on the jetty at Ft. Pickens. The complainant advised that he informed the subject that it was unlawful to spear blue crabs, but despite the warning, the subject continued. Because of the accurate description of the individual and vessel, Officer Cushing was able to locate the subject. Upon initial contact, the subject was reluctant to come forth and admit that he had harvested anything. The inspection revealed eight speared blue crabs, six of which were egg-bearing. The subject was issued a citation for illegal harvest of egg-bearing blue crabs.
Officers Hutchinson and Ramos were working the Escambia River when they observed a vessel return to a boat ramp after participating in the statewide alligator harvest. When they checked the vessel, they observed an 8‑foot alligator in the airboat. The alligator was not tagged as required. After further investigation, the officers determined that one of the hunters was not properly licensed and that he shot the alligator with a pistol, a prohibited method. The officers seized the alligator, firearm, and other necessary evidence and issued the appropriate citations.
After receiving a complaint, Investigator Wilkenson conducted a site inspection of a yard trash facility. Investigator Wilkenson observed a large commercial quantity of yard trash debris on the property along with a log splitter and a portable tree grinder. It was determined the yard trash debris was an offsite generated material being stored and processed at an unpermitted facility. This past March, the owner of the tree removal business was educated on the permit requirements for storing offsite generated material through an operation plan initiative in educating through outreach efforts. The owner was issued a citation for storing/processing yard trash debris at an unpermitted facility, a first degree misdemeanor.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Lieutenant Berryman was on vessel patrol in Bayou Texar when he heard a call for assistance over the VHF radio. The complainant advised that his sailboat was almost struck by another sailboat and that the people on board appeared to be in a fight. Once on scene, Lieutenant Berryman observed three white males on a 32‑foot sailboat with the sail flapping in the wind and blood from bow to stern. Two of the three subjects were bleeding; one from his right hand and the other from his face. One of these two subjects, the operator of the vessel, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The U.S. Coast Guard arrived to assist and all three subjects were brought back to shore where interviews were conducted. It was learned the owner of the boat struck the operator of the boat in the face because he was drunk and passed out at the helm. Lieutenant Berryman requested the operator to perform some standardized field sobriety tasks and he agreed to do so. After failing several tasks, the operator of the vessel was placed under arrest for BUI and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail for booking. In addition, the owner of the boat was arrested for battery and also transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail.
While on water patrol on Santa Rosa Sound near Navarre, Officer Jones and Lieutenant Clark found an abandoned derelict 24-foot Capri sailboat near the shoreline and adjacent to a private home. Officer Jones and Investigator Schafer contacted and interviewed the registered owner. The officers explained to him that it was his responsibility to remove the derelict and that he could avoid misdemeanor charges by doing so. The owner was sent a registered letter advising him of the same information and allowing five days to remove the derelict. After more than the allotted time had passed, Officer Jones confirmed that the derelict had not been removed. He contacted the owner and issued a notice to appear (citation) on a misdemeanor charge of allowing a vessel to become derelict on the waters of the State of Florida.
Officer Pineda was on water patrol when he observed a vessel violating the no wake zone around the Navarre Beach Boat Ramp. He stopped the vessel and observed signs of impairment with the operator. In addition, the passenger was also showing signs of impairment. Officer Pineda asked the operator of the vessel to undergo some field sobriety tasks and he agreed to do so. After conducting several field sobriety tasks, it was determined that the operator vessel was in fact under the influence of alcohol or drugs and was placed under arrest for BUI. He was transported and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Officer Lewis and Lieutenant Hahr were patrolling around Bear Lake in the Blackwater River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when they observed a vessel returning to a primitive site. After the subjects loaded their boat, the officers inspected the vessel. There were four black bass in the boat and one was clearly under the 12‑inch minimum. While inspecting the vessel further, they located what appeared to be a meth pipe and a cannabis pipe. A small amount of cannabis was also located in the suspect’s truck. The man was issued notices to appear for possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of undersized black bass.
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.
Farm Field Day Held
August 23, 2014
The annual UF/IFAS Extension Farm Field Day was held Friday morning at the West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay.
Attendees learned about old and new challenges for weed management in row crops, potential biofuel crops, peanut fungicides, cotton varieties and pest management and sprayer calibration.
Pictured top: Cotton variety trials. Pictured below: Josh Mayfield of Bayer Crop Science talks about crop varieties. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Repairs Begin On ‘Major Public Safety Issue’ Gas Leak Under Hwy 29
August 22, 2014
Work began Thursday on a leaking section of natural gas pipe under Highway 29 in Century, three and a half years since the leak was publicly revealed as a “major public safety issue”.
The project is beginning with large pipes being bored under Highway 29 that will connect a new 4-inch pipe on west side of Highway 29 with a new 2-inch pipe to be installed on the east side of the highway, eliminating the need to install individual service lines under the road to service natural gas customers. Pipes will be installed where existing easements exist or can be obtained at no cost, otherwise, it will be installed under existing sidewalks.
R.A.W. Construction, LLC of Tallahassee is working to install the new natural gas lines along the right-of-way of Highway 29 (North Century Boulevard) from about McCurdy Lane to West Highway 4 near the courthouse. R.A.W. Construction is due to complete the project by November 25.
About 6,515 feet of 4-inch steel natural gas line was buried beneath the southbound lanes of Highway 29 when the road was widened to four lanes. Now, nearly 50 years since the almost 1.25 mile long pipe was first put into the ground, the town believes the steel is corroding and leaking somewhere between West Highway 4 and McCurdy Street.
The R.A.W. Construction bid was for the project was $393,500. Two other bids were received on the project — one for $795,700.75 from Utility Service Company and one for $897,000 from Roberson Excavation, Inc. of Milton.
Town Engineer Dale Long said due to the significantly lower bid from R.A.W, he verified the company’s references and verified the bid was correct. He said the company was lower because they are primarily a gas contractor, while the other two companies are primarily water and sewer contractors.
Century actually went through the paperwork process of the project twice. In April 2012, Century signed off on a $1.4 million USDA Rural Development loan to cover the cost of replacing the pipe. But, according to town officials, the town received the wrong form from the USDA, and as a result advertised the meetings incorrectly.
Pictured: Work to install the first pipe in a Century gas line relocation project Thursday afternoon on Highway 29 just south of West Highway 4. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Off-Duty Escambia EMT Killed In Pensacola Wreck
August 22, 2014
An off-duty Escambia County EMT passed away Thursday night from injuries he received in a traffic crash on his way to work.
Blake Ressler, 27, was westbound on his motorcycle on Creighton Road at Tippin Avenue about 5:40 p.m. when he struck a 2007 Acura SUV driven by 71-year old Judith Kicker of Pensacola, according to Pensacola Police.
Both drivers had a green signal when Kicker turned left into Ressler’s path, according to a police report.
Ressler, who was wearing a helmet, was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. Bell said Kicker was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured. Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three School Lockdown Due To Homicide Investigation
August 22, 2014
Three schools — Pine Forest High, West Florida High and Woodham Middle — were place on lockdown Thursday afternoon as deputies arrested on person of interest in a murder investigation and unsuccessfully chased another.
Reginald Beasley, 25, is a person of interest in the death of Tyler Evans, whose body was found Wednesday off Gulf Beach Highway. As of late Thursday night, had only been charged with fleeing and eluding and driving without a license, according to jail records.
Beasley and a second person, known to authorities only by his street name of “Tre-Tre”, fled as deputies performed a traffic stop in Ensley, prompting the school lockdowns.
Anyone with information about the incident or the individual known as “Tre-Tre’” should contact Escambia County Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP
Evans’ body was found in the area of Weller Avenue and Brandfield Drive Wednesday. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says the murder was not a random act.
Man Gets Life For 2011 Burning, Beating Death
August 22, 2014
An Escambia County man was sentenced Thursday to spend the rest of his life behind bars for a 2011 murder.
Sergio Dupree Moorer was sentenced by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh to life in state prison without possibility of parole for the murder of John Hall.
Moorer was convicted by an Escambia County Jury of first degree murder on August 11, 2014, with the jury recommending the life sentence.
Moorer beat John Hall and then poured gasoline on him and forced him to drink gasoline. Hall was then set on fire, dieing as the result of the combination of blunt force trauma and thermal burns. His body was found in a wooded area near the Marcus Pointe Apartments.
Preseason Volleyball Tournament At Northview
August 22, 2014
Five schools took part in a volleyball preseason classic Thursday at Northview High School with Laurel Hill taking first place.
Play included seniors from Northview, Laurel Hill, Central, Jay and Pensacola Christian Academy high schools in a dual court format.
Scores were as follows:
PCA vs Central
22-25, 26-24, 15-11
NHS vs Laurel Hill
11-25, 24-26
Jay vs PCA
25-16, 24-26, 15-9
Laurel hill vs Central
24-16, 17-25, 15-8
Laurel Hill vs Jay
26-24, 25-17
The Chiefs will begin their regular season on the road at Holmes County on August 28, with their first home game set for September 2 against Baldwin County High School.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
United Way Celebrates $10.2 Million Impact, Work Of Community Partners
August 22, 2014
Thursday afternoon, more than 250 United Way supporters and friends joined United Way of Escambia County at First Baptist Church of Pensacola to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and the many community partners who helped make it possible. The meeting featured a keynote address from The Rev. LuTimothy May.
United Way of Escambia County thanked special partners for a successful year in which $3.2 million in funds were leveraged by United Way to grow an $8.7 million impact.
Additionally,with $1.55 million in matching dollars secured by non-profit partners, United Way donors and volunteers were responsible for a $10.2 million impact on the community. A strong steam of volunteer board members lead by Gary Sammons, expressed their gratitude to the 2,980 generous United Way volunteers who donated 33,714 hours in volunteer service to Escambia County.
Chair Gary Sammons and Chair Elect David Peaden were honored to recognize the stellar contributions of following individuals and organizations:
RAYELL IRISH, COLOR A BRIGHTER WORLD: MaryAnn Bickerstaff, Arc Gateway Pearl Nelson Center
UNITED WAY PARTNER AGENCY OF THE YEAR: Manna Food Pantries
BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE YEAR: Cat Country 98.7
UNITED WAY SERVICE AWARD: Yvette McLellan, City of Pensacola
DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY SERVICE: Bob McLaughlin
VOLUNTEER GROUP OF THE YEAR: New Beginnings Recovery Home
VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VITA) VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR: Bill and Grace Bedford
DAY OF CARING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Wayne Thomley, Cerex Advanced Fabrics
Pictured top: Thursday’s annual United Way of Escambia County meeting at the First Baptist Church of Pensacola. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Florida Gay Marriage Ban
August 22, 2014
When Democratic political operative Christian Ulvert started his career nearly a decade ago, he was in the closet.
Since then, Ulvert — now the Florida Democratic Party’s political director — has come out in the open about his homosexuality, married his partner Carlos Andrade and seen his career skyrocket.
But it was U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle’s ruling Thursday striking down Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage that Ulvert said validated his personal journey.
“It’s a judge recognizing my marriage to my husband in a state where I was born and raised. And it means that a law that discriminated against couples like me and Carlos is unconstitutional,” said Ulvert, who married Andrade last year in Washington, D.C.
Ulvert — who said his journey has morphed his sexuality from a political liability “to pride, joy and positive acceptance”—
and his partner are among nine sets of same-sex couples in two combined federal lawsuits challenging the state’s ban on gay marriage. Hinkle’s ruling is the latest in a string of court victories for same-sex couples and LGBT advocates in Florida but the first statewide ruling. Although gay couples won’t be tying the knot in Florida any time soon because the judge placed a hold on his ruling, Hinkle’s opinion is considered historic in a state where voters just six years ago placed a prohibition against gay marriage in the state constitution.
“The institution of marriage survived when bans on interracial marriage were struck down, and the institution will survive when bans on same-sex marriage are struck down. Liberty, tolerance, and respect are not zero-sum concepts. Those who enter opposite-sex marriages are harmed not at all when others, including these plaintiffs, are given the liberty to choose their own life partners and are shown the respect that comes with formal marriage. Tolerating views with which one disagrees is a hallmark of civilized society,” Hinkle wrote in a 33-page decision.
The lawsuit accuses the Florida prohibition on same-sex marriage of allowing disparate treatment, including in benefits extended to couples such as retirement plans and health insurance. The plaintiffs include Arlene Goldberg who married Carol Goldwasser in New York in 2011 and had been with her mate for 47 years. Goldberg sued because she could not receive Social Security survivor benefits after Goldwasser died earlier this year. Hinkle also ruled Thursday that Goldberg should be listed on her spouse’s death certificate.
While advocates are celebrating the Tallahassee federal judge’s decision, couples across the country like Ulvert and his partner are biding their time until the U.S. Supreme Court, which paved the way for Hinkle’s ruling, renders a final decision on gay marriage.
In the meantime, Hinkle ruled that the ban interferes with couples’ rights to due process and equal protection and likened the prohibition against same-sex unions to laws that prevented blacks and whites from marrying nearly 50 years ago. The U.S. Supreme Court, Hinkle wrote, has “sometimes listed marriage as the very paradigm of a fundamental right.”
Hinkle rejected arguments that same-sex marriages should be banned because gay couples cannot procreate, saying that individuals who are medically unable to have children can marry in Florida and their marriages, if performed elsewhere, are recognized in the state.
“The undeniable truth is that the Florida ban on same-sex marriage stems entirely, or almost entirely, from moral disapproval of the practice,” Hinkle wrote.
Hinkle’s ruling comes after four similar state-court rulings in Florida since a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision last year in the United States v. Windsor case that overturned the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Courts in 19 other states have since struck down restrictions on same-sex marriages in lawsuits sparked by the Supreme Court decision.
Florida Family Policy Council President John Stemberger, who drafted and pushed the 2008 constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, said Thursday he was surprised by Hinkle’s ruling because, in the Windsor decision, the Supreme Court had deferred in part to states to make decisions about gay marriage.
“People ask me, are you on the wrong side of history? To me, this issue will never be on the wrong side of history because it’s rooted in the human experience. A little boy who longs to have a father in the inner city — that will never be on the wrong side of history. The little girl who has two dads and doesn’t have a mom and she wants someone to guide her through the changes that a woman’s body goes through — that’s never going to be on the wrong side of history. And the beauty of how a man and woman come together and life is born and the next generation springs from that, that’s never going to be on the wrong side of history,” Stemberger said.
Like judges in the other Florida cases, Hinkle issued a stay of his ruling pending appeals. A spokesman for Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has represented the state in all of the cases, said her office is reviewing Hinkle’s ruling.
Stemberger, however, said he remains hopeful.
“I’m done being discouraged. I’m done being happy when we win and sad when we lose. I just want to be faithful doing what I think is the right thing in the end,” Stemberger said. “I can’t control history. All I can do is use the influence that I have for the right thing.”
by Dara Kim, The News Service of Florida
Sheriff’s Office Conducts ‘Operation Clean Sweep’ In Molino (With Photo Gallery)
August 22, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted an “Operation Clean Sweep” event today in Molino.
During the sweep, 26 traffic citations were issued, three criminal infractions were cited and three warnings were issued. Six sex offender addresses were verified and five tons of debris were collected.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” is to work with neighborhood watch groups, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of crime. The Operation Task Force works closely with Escambia County Animal Control, environmental law enforcement, the military, Escambia County Roads and Bridges and neighborhood watch groups to clean up neighborhoods and educate citizens on preventive measures that could be implemented to minimize crime.
Pictured top: Deputies and a state probation officer check on a man on probation in Molino Thursday morning. Pictured below: Deputies conducted a checkpoint at the intersection of Highway 95A and Molino Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
