DOJ Launches Investigation Into ‘Anything For A Buck’ Operation
February 21, 2014
The U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has launched an investigation into four ATF storefront stings around the country, including “Operation Anything For A Buck” in Escambia County, Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz said Thursday.
One of the key findings made by the OIG in its 2012 report, A Review of Operation Fast and Furious and Related Matters, was that ATF had failed to exercise sufficient oversight over activities that posed a danger to the public or otherwise presented special risks. As a result, the ATF established the Monitored Case Program in July 2011.
Following more recent allegations regarding ATF’s use of storefront operations, the OIG has learned that four such operations – in Milwaukee, Pensacola, St. Louis, and Wichita — continued or began after the inception of the Monitored Case Program, the agency said. T
The investigations center around ATF activities in the undercover operations; the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office nor any another local agency is being investigated.
The OIG has now initiated a separate review that will examine these four operations for possible systemic deficiencies in ATF’s storefront operations policies, and evaluate the effectiveness of the Monitored Case Program as an oversight tool in these operations.
The investigation was launched following a detailed Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation that, according to the newspaper, “exposed foul-ups and failures in undercover government operations across the country”.
The newspaper’s investigation found “the ATF used mentally disabled people to promote operations and then arrested them for their work; opened storefronts close to schools and churches, increasing arrest numbers and penalties; and attracted juveniles with free video games and alcohol.”
One Operation Anything for Buck Escambia County case investigated by the newspaper was that of mentally retarded 24-year old Jeremy Lee Norris who lived in poverty with his parents and fiancee. His IQ, according to court documents was just 76, and he was often further impaired by drug use.
“He is naive, but charming, and completely dependent on his fiancee and family to help him navigate through life. In short, Jeremy Norris was no match for the team of undercover law enforcement officers who injected themselves into his life in the spring of 2011,” his attorney, Jennifer Hart, wrote in federal court documents.
Videotapes show Norris always assisted by a family member, even led around by the back of his shirt by his fiancee.
Norris place an ad in local Pensacola newspaper The Shopper advertising a handgun and shotgun for sale. The ad was answered by ATF agents who had established pawn shop “Anything for a Buck” operated by ATF agents and deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The operation was lauded as being successful, with hundreds of firearms taken off the streets and dozens of defendants facing criminal charges.
Guns were purchased by felon Gary Renaud at the Escambia County storefront, which would result in charges if the person selling the gun knew he was a convicted felon.
Court documents show Norris did not know Renaud was felon when he sold his first gun, but Renaud told him before he sold subsequent weapons. Anything for a Buck was paying so much for weapons that Norris, his fiancee and his parents would buy firearms at other gun stores and resell them at a profit to undercover officers.
Due to his low IQ, Norris was sentenced only to probation.
To read the full Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation click here.
Pictured: “Operation Anything for a Buck” is announced during November 2011 during a joint press conference at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Pictured below (courtesy WEAR): The “Anything for a Buck” storefront in Brownsville following the undercover operation. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
New Members Inducted Into National Beta Club At Northview
February 21, 2014
Almost two dozen new members were inducted into the National Beta Club Thursday afternoon at Northview High School. The new sophomore members are: (front, L-R) Niki Coleman, Brittney Ward, Madison Weber, Jadlyn Agerton, Bethany Reynolds, Savanna Roux, Lawrence Douglas, (middle) Tyler Houston, Harmoni Till, Jacob Dunsford, Jordan Taylor, Moriah McGahan, Haylee Weaver, Courtney Weekley, (back) Jason Perritt, Trevor Levins, Bradley Van Pelt, Leah Fischer, Jessica Amerson, Abbie Johnson and Jordan Helmken. Not pictured: Ben Preston and David Thorpe. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
‘Warning Shot’ Bill Zips Though House
February 21, 2014
The House Judiciary Committee voted overwhelmingly Thursday to approve what has become known as the “warning shot” bill, readying it to go to the full House.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Neil Combee, R-Polk City, would grant immunity to people who threaten to use force, including displaying weapons or firing warning shots, in self-defense. The Judiciary Committee voted 15-2 to approve the bill, which also would allow people to have records expunged if they were never charged or if charges were dismissed in situations where they showed weapons or fired warning shots.
The bill earlier was approved by the Criminal Justice Subcommittee and has not been assigned to any other committees.
Atmore Man Claims $3 Million Lottery Prize Ticket Sold In North Escambia
February 21, 2014
An Atmore man cashed in a winning $3 million prize scratch-off lottery ticket at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.
Marcus Knowles, 36, purchased the winning $20 Gold Rush Tripler ticket at the State Line Gift Shop, 11208 Highway 97 in Davisville. He chose to receive his winnings in a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,950,000.
“I enjoy playing Florida Lottery Scratch-Off games,” said Knowles. “I have won a few smaller prizes in the past, but nothing this big!”
Pictured: Marcus Knowles poses with his over-sized check after claiming his $3 million Gold Rush Tripler prize at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Report: Florida Agriculture Remains Strong
February 21, 2014
The United States Department of Agriculture released Thursday the preliminary results of the 2012 Census of Agriculture. The census tracks the number of farmers, farms, farmland, value of agriculture products and the demographics of the farmers themselves. The census revealed Florida agriculture remains an economic engine and job creator in Florida, with an increase in farmers, farms and farmland since the 2007 census.
“Despite expected setbacks as a result of the effects of greening on citrus and the collapse of the housing market on nurseries, the census confirms agriculture’s place as a vital and enduring part of Florida’s economy,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “The census noted the number of farms in Florida holding steady at approximately 47,000, and the average age of farmers ticking slightly upward, while growing more diverse, ethnically.”
- 9,548,342 acres of land in Florida farms, up from 9,231,570 in 2007;
- 47,740 farm operations in Florida, up from 47,463 in 2007;
- $161,368 is the average sales per farm, down from $164,027 in 2007;
- 200 acres is the average Florida farm size, up from 195 in 2007; and
- $7.70 billion in value of products sold, down from $7.78 billion in 2007.
The census provides a agricultural snapshot every five years.
Pictured top: Peanuts are harvested in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Making Florida Sexual Predator Laws The ‘Toughest In The Nation’
February 21, 2014
With Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, vowing to quickly pass the measures when the legislative session starts in March, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved four bills aimed at strengthening laws dealing with sexual predators.
The Appropriations Committee approved bills which put the proposals in position to go to the full Senate on March 4, the first day of the legislative session.
Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Chairman Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who is sponsoring SB 526, said the goal is to make Florida’s laws dealing with sexual predators the “toughest in the nation.”
Broadly, the package of bills would lead to closer tracking of sexual predators, more severe punishment and closing loopholes that have allowed predators to commit more crimes.
The bills were crafted after reports in the South Florida Sun Sentinel that nearly 600 sexually violent predators had been released only to be convicted of new sex offenses. Those offenses included more than 460 child molestations, 121 rapes and 14 murders.
by The News Service of Florida
Missing Teen Located In Good Condition
February 20, 2014
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office says a missing endangered juvenile has been located in good condition.
Tristan James Pace, 14, was late seen Wednesday at 11 p.m. on Acy Lowery Road in Pace. He was located just before 4 p.m. Thursday. Further details have not been released.
Cases Postponed For Three In Two North Escambia Murder Cases
February 20, 2014
Three defendants in two unrelated North Escambia murder cases were scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, but both cases were continued to later dates.
Brent Lambeth previously pleaded no contest to second degree murder in the November 2012 shooting death of a Davisville lottery store owner. Under his plea deal, he will receive no more than 30 years in prison in exchange for his testimony against Malcolm McGhee, previously sentenced to life in prison, and Michael Brad Orso. Lambeth’s sentencing was postponed until late March.
Orso was also due in court Wednesday for a docket hearing prior to his jury trial. But his case was reset for a docket hearing in mid-April and a jury trial in late April. Orso has pleaded not guilty to the first degree premeditated murder charge against him in connection with the lottery store murder.
Rebecca A. Rogers was also due for a court hearing on Wednesday. She allegedly shot her husband, 42-year old Jason Lee Rogers, in the head last August at the couple’s home in the 3400 block of Highway 29 near Mathison Road. He died about two days later. Rogers, who is claiming the shooting was self defense, is now due back in court in mid-April with her jury trial currently set for late April.
Public Workshop Set On Nine Mile Road Widening Project
February 20, 2014
The Florida Department of Transportation will host a public workshop next week concerning the reevaluation of a study for widening Nine Mile Road from two to four lanes beginning at U.S. 90/Mobile Highway to Pine Forest Road.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 25, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Plainview Baptist Church, 1101 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola. There will be no formal presentation. Maps, drawings and other study information will be on display and FDOT representatives will be available to answer questions.
Burglary Suspect Busted
February 20, 2014
A Pensacola man man has been arrested in connection with a string of burglaries.
Craig Warren Jackson, 35, is facing a list of burglary, larceny, fraud and other charges brought by both Pensacola Police and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He’s being held with bond set at $82,500.
Pensacola Police said Jackson is a suspect in burglaries in the city in which thousands of dollars worth of electronics, jewelry and other items were stolen. Man of those items have been recovered.
Police also said Jackson is a suspect in a Valentine’s Day burglary on Filly Road in Cantonment that prompted a North Escambia man to offer a reward and start a Facebook page looking for clues. It was a story that NorthEscambia.com was first to report on Monday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has not released details on their charges against Jackson or if he has been charged in connection with the Filly Road break-in.
But Cantonment resident Craig Morgan said police recovered most of his mother’s belongings with the arrest of Jackson.
“My Mom did get back most of her belongings and she is very happy,” he said Wednesday night.
The burglary at his mother’s Cantonment home occurred between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. last Friday, with the thieves forcing their way into the home, ransacking a bedroom and stealing a small safe, jewelry belonging to his mother, as well as jewelry and other items from his father. Morgan’s dad, who retired from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 1989, passed away three years ago.
Morgan said his newly created “Cantonment Fl. Break ins” Facebook page will remain in place in hopes of helping solve other Cantonment area crimes. After being published on NorthEscambia.com, the page quickly grew to over 1,500 likes.
“This is only the beginning for this page and there is more to come. I am committed to helping our community,” he said. “We can do this together.”
Pictured: A ransacked bedroom at a home on Filly Road in Cantonment following a burglary last Friday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.