Senate: Make Florida “Scorched Earth” For Violent Sex Offenders
December 18, 2013
Florida senators Tuesday filed a package of bills that Senate President Don Gaetz said would make the state “scorched earth” for sexually violent predators and become a centerpiece of the 2014 legislative session. One of the bills was filed by Sen. Greg Evers, who represents the local area.
His language echoed lawmakers’ outrage after the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported in August that nearly 600 sexual predators had been released only to be convicted of new sex offenses — including more than 460 child molestations, 121 rapes and 14 murders.
“Over the last several months, we watched in disbelief and disgust as news accounts detailed stories of sexually violent predators slipping through the cracks of our criminal justice and civil commitment system and committing unthinkable repeat offenses against Florida’s most vulnerable children,” Gaetz, R-Niceville, wrote to senators as the four bills were filed.
The bills would “widen the net” to apprehend, punish and monitor sexually violent predators, in the words of Sen. Denise Grimsley, one of the Senate committee leaders from both parties sponsoring the measures.
“It really is a bipartisan effort,” said Duval County Sheriff John Rutherford, whose jurisdiction was rocked in June by the high-profile murder of eight-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle.
And by all accounts, the Senate and House are speeding toward a comprehensive effort in both chambers.
“If we have the strongest laws in place in the country to identify the worst of the worst, I think we can reduce the number of these offenses,” said House Criminal Justice Chairman Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican who is the son of the Senate president. “And most importantly, we won’t have to go and say to the parents of a child victim that we had the person in our custody, but we let them go and they harmed again.”
The measures follow a series of legislative hearings after the Sun Sentinel reported that the commitment of sexually violent predators under the state’s Jimmy Ryce Act had slowed to a crawl.
By the terms of the Jimmy Ryce Act — named for a 9-year-old Miami-Dade County boy who was raped and murdered in 1995 — the Department of Children and Families evaluates sex offenders before their releases from prison. Those considered most likely to attack again aren’t necessarily released after completing their prison sentences, but may be screened, evaluated and confined at the Florida Civil Commitment Center in Arcadia until they aren’t considered dangers to the community.
Lawmakers heard from an array of experts that those precautions weren’t enough.
“We have said for many years that leopards don’t change their spots and tigers don’t change their stripes,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, president of the Florida Sheriffs Association. “These sexual predators — these deviants — will continue to offend and target our children whenever they’re not incarcerated.”
For instance, Rutherford told lawmakers his officers had spoken with Donald Smith — now charged with kidnapping, raping and strangling Perrywinkle — on the very day of her murder. Smith was released from jail as a sex offender 21 days before Perrywinkle’s death.
One of the bills, by a Jacksonville-area lawmaker, would close several of the loopholes in that case.
SB 526 by Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican and chairman of the Senate Civil and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, would increase the length of sentences for certain adult-on-minor sexual offenses formerly classified as lewd and lascivious. It would ban gain-time for people who commit certain sexual offenses and require courts to order community supervision after release from prison for those convicted of certain offenses.
Rutherford pointed to another portion of Bradley’s bill, which deals with the post-release supervision of sexual predators in DCF custody as part of the civil commitment process. Currently, those offenders participate in civil commitment and community supervision simultaneously. But the bill would require them to be under community supervision after their release from civil commitment.
“When they get out under supervision, that actually allows us more oversight of this individual’s life when they first get out because they’re still under probation at that time,” Rutherford said. “Now, they may do all of their probation time under civil commitment where they’re not in the community being tempted. And when they get out, their community supervision has already expired, and so there’s no community oversight during the most vulnerable time for them to re-offend, which is when they first get out.”
The other measures include:
— SB 528 by Sen. Greg Evers, a Baker Republican and chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. It would require registered sexual predators to report their vehicle information, Internet identifiers, palm prints, passports, professional licenses, immigration status and volunteer work at higher-education institutions.
Rutherford pointed out that Smith didn’t own a vehicle, but had access to his mother’s van, “which he used in the commission of that heinous crime,” but Evers’ bill would close that loophole as well.
— SB 522 by Grimsley, a Sebring Republican and chairwoman of the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee. It would require sheriffs to refer prisoners serving sentences in county jails for civil commitment if they are registered sexual offenders or predators and have committed sexually violent offenses. It also would add a state attorney, law enforcement officer and victim’s advocate as advisory members to the multidisciplinary team that evaluates offenders considered for civil confinement.
“Her bill is going to allow us to be part of that decision-making process,” Rutherford said.
— SB 524 by Sen. Eleanor Sobel, a Hollywood Democrat and chairwoman of the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee. It would require that offenders be defined as sexually violent predators and be subject to civil confinement after a finding by two or more members of a multidisciplinary team. It would require higher-education institutions to tell students about a sexual predator’s presence on campus.
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
At Least Two Winners In $636 Million Lottery Drawing
December 18, 2013
At least two winning tickets were sold in California and Georgia for Tuesday night’s Mega Millions jackpot drawing worth an estimated $636 million, the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history.
In Florida, there were two tickets sold with five of five numbers worth $1 million each. Other winning amounts in Florida are in the table below.
The winning numbers were: 8, 14, 17, 20, 39; Mega Ball: 7. The cash option was estimated at $341 million before taxes. The jackpot had rolled over since it was last hit for $190 million in Maryland back on October 1.
The next Mega Millions drawing Friday night is worth $15 million.
Legislation Aimed At Expanding Private Flood Coverage In Florida
December 18, 2013
Two lawmakers released a proposal Tuesday intended to make it easier for private insurers to offer flood coverage in Florida and to potentially make coverage more affordable for homeowners.
The measure (SB 542) by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, is designed to increase competition by expanding the number of insurers offering flood insurance coverage in the Florida market.
The proposal comes as up to 13 percent of Florida’s property owners now covered through the National Flood Insurance Program are in line for rate hikes of up to 25 percent a year. Some properties have been projected to face increases that reach 900 percent, and efforts to hold back the rising costs have floundered in Congress. The increases stem from a measure known as the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act.
“Floridians deserve an alternative to the drastic rate increases of Biggert-Waters,” Brandes said in a prepared statement. “This legislation builds a framework for a Florida-based solution that gives flexibility to homeowners. This will put Florida at the forefront of addressing this issue nationwide.”
Rep. Larry Ahern, R-Seminole, is expected to file the House companion bill in a couple of weeks.
The two held a press conference Tuesday at the Pinellas Realtor Organization in Clearwater to announce the legislation.
John Sebree, senior vice president of public policy for Florida Realtors, supported the proposal, saying the state can’t wait for Congress to act on requests to delay the increase.
“First of all, we can’t wait around for Congress to act — they didn’t in 2013 and what if we wait and wait and they don’t do anything in 2014,” Sebree said in an email. “Even if Congress were to delay implementation of Biggert-Waters there would be uncertainty about premium increases and it is a win-win to promote the private sector jumping into this business in a big way.”
Sebree added that getting more insurers in Florida would both reduce the size of the federal program and expand the private market.
Sam Miller, executive vice president of the Florida Insurance Council, was supportive of the effort but said he was still reviewing Brandes’ proposal.
“We know there is some appetite on the part of private insurers, but just how much remains to be seen,” Miller said in an email. “Whether the private market — which has been unable to write this peril in the past can suddenly do it in a significant manner is an unanswered question.”
Brandes has been working with the state Office of Insurance Regulation, bankers and insurers on the legislation since early November, as a bipartisan group in Congress has struggled in efforts to delay the implementation of the Biggert-Waters act.
The 2012 act requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies to make a number of changes to the way the National Flood Insurance Program is run, including raising rates to reflect true flood risk and to make the program more financially stable.
The federal program was created by Congress in 1968 to provide coverage where it was unavailable from the private market and to reduce the amount of financial aid the federal government would have to pay after a flood-related disaster.
In September, Florida Realtors outlined nightmare scenarios in which some properties in Pinellas County could see a jump in premiums from $3,000 a year to more than $30,000, eventually impacting “Florida’s economic rebound.” The Florida Bankers Association has warned that the higher costs could eventually impact lending.
The proposal by Brandes and Ahern would require adding projected flood losses to the factors that must be considered by OIR when reviewing rate filings.
A key part of the proposed legislation would allow policyholders the choice of covering the outstanding balances of their mortgages, the replacement costs of their properties or the actual cash values of their properties.
Brandes’ proposal declares that because Biggert-Waters will prevent many property owners from obtaining affordable coverage the state “has a compelling public purpose and interest” to protect the economy by “promoting the availability of flood insurance from private market insurers at potentially lower premium rates.”
Brandes’ proposal is expected to first be heard by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee in January.
The legislation comes as Tampa-based Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., was approved Dec. 5 by OIR to offer flood insurance coverage to its Florida policyholders.
The company announced last Thursday the coverage is expected to be priced similarly to what Florida residents were paying before the Biggert-Waters Act.
“We will enter the market cautiously and focus on our strict underwriting guidelines and calculated risk management,” Scott Wallace, Homeowners Choice’s president said in a release.
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Search And Rescue Fundraiser Underway
December 18, 2013
Escambia Search and Rescue wants Escambia County residents to know that the group is currently soliciting funds door-to-door.
Several months ago, the group said they received reports of someone fraudulently going door-to-door for the group. But Skip Bollens, ESAR director, said this week that their annual door-to-door fundraiser is now underway.
“ESAR is supported by these donations,” Bollens said. “We are non-profit, all volunteer organization…serving the community since 1961.”
Escambia Search and Rescue trains for and responds to many different types of incidents, including lost children, missing hunters, drowning victims, overdue boats, natural disasters, and missing persons with Alzheimer’s, autism or other forms of dementia.
Donations can be made on the group’s website, www.EscambiaSearchAndRescue.com.
Pictured: ESAR begins a successful search for a missing 8-year old boy lost in a wooded area near Century. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Deputy Ticketed After Crash
December 18, 2013
A Escambia County deputy was ticketed after a two vehicle accident on Lillian Highway.
The Florida Patrol said 24-year old Danna Sirouis slowed her 1997 Nissan Altima to a stop on Lillian Highway due to an approaching emergency vehicle. Deputy Ken Holyfield, 31, failed to stop his marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Crown Victoria and hit the rear of the Altima.
Sirois was taken to West Florida Hospital win minor injuries.
Holeyfield, the FHP said, was cited for careless driving.
Your Christmas Photos: Molino Lights
December 18, 2013
This house on Highway 29 near Cross Faith Church is decorated for Christmas. Submitted photo by Charles Crumpton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Share your Christmas lights or other Christmas photos. Email the photos to news@northescambia.com.
Donations Make For Merry Christmas At Century Care Center
December 18, 2013
Residents at the Century Care Center recently held their annual Christmas party. The event included gifts for the residents that were made possible by donations from local groups, families and staff.
“Thanks to all,” said Mae Hildreth, the facility’s activities director. “You help make Christmas wonderful, magical for our residents.”
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Boys, Girls Beat Baker
December 18, 2013
The Northview varsity boys and girls beat Baker Tuesday night.
Northview 45, Baker 25 (Girls)
Northview Varsity Girls beat Baker, 45-25. It was 14-13 at the half, Northview leading. The Chiefs outscored Baker 31-12 in the 2nd half. E’Layzha Bates lead the Lady Chiefs with 16 points. Danielle Steadham had 11 points, Angel Lathan had 9 points, Lana Clayton had 5 and De’Asia Fountain had 4. Northview plays Thursday in the Jay Christmas Tournament.
Northview 59, Baker 51 (Boys)
The Northview Varsity Boys beat Baker 59-51. . The boys play next this Friday in the Alabama Southern Christmas Tournament.
Reindeer Games: US Marshals, Escambia Deputies Bust 93 Wanted Felons
December 17, 2013
In a joint effort, the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office hit the streets of Escambia County the past week in the second phase of an earlier round-up initiated two weeks ago, capturing some of Escambia’s more elusive and violent fugitives.
Deputy Marshals from Tallahassee, Panama City, Tampa and Pensacola worked with Sheriff’s deputies from the ECSO TAC Team and arrested 93 wanted felons in a street-level sweep dubbed as Operation Reindeer Games.
The Task Force identified approximately 120 of Escambia’s more dangerous fugitives who were wanted on various charges including murder, attempted murder, sexual battery, assault, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, strangulation, possession of firearms and other weapon offenses as well as numerous narcotics violations.
At the end of the week, the population of Escambia County Jail swelled as a result of the multi-agency fugitive round-up and others found themselves in local jails in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties; as well as other parts of Florida and Alabama. Of the 93 criminals who went to jail, 12 fugitives surrendered to jails after learning they were being sought on warrants.
Although the operation’s aim was to find fugitives, others were arrested on probable cause arrests of which several included harboring a fugitive or obstruction of justice when trying to conceal the fugitives’ locations. In just four days over 120 warrants were served, three firearms seized, over 1000 grams of various drugs and $240 in counterfeit bills were confiscated, a stolen car was recovered and three active meth labs were shutdown.
This sweep is the latest but not the last one as a part of Sheriff David Morgan’s objective to crackdown on violent offenders with the help of the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force. The shared goal is to try and help make the people in the community feel safer.
Highlighted cases from Operation Reindeer Games:
Eddie McGee – Charged with 1st Degree Homicide. McGee was wanted out of Atlanta, GA and was believed to be hiding out in Pensacola. The US Marshals in Atlanta identified possible locations and asked the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force for assistance. McGee was wanted in association with a homicide that took place June 14th, 2013, that occurred at Hidden Cove Circle, Gwinnett County, Norcross, Georgia. On that day, officers arrived on a scene of a reported shots fired call. Gwinnett Officers found the victim dead of a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Gwinnett Homicide investigators determined during their investigation that McGee was a suspect along with Norman Griffith who is also in custody relating to the murder. According to police reports they had arranged to purchase cocaine from the victim.
Douglas White – Charged with Child Cruelty and Abuse. When Marshals and officers attempted to arrest White inside of a trailer, White then took a two-year old whom White stuffed in a plastic tub and covered with clothing and blankets to hide the child to keep it quiet. White then secreted himself in a larger plastic tub beside the child and covered himself under a blanket. White and the child were located and White was subsequently tased by FRFTF members as he attempted to avoid arrest. The child is also the victim of the original crime in which the child was admitted to an Emergency Room for stitches due to injuries reportedly inflicted by White. White also had an active child abuse case with Department of Children and Family services for an assault on a 5 year old child. White was charged additionally with Child Cruelty and Resisting Arrest.
Jermaine Beasley – Charged with Attempted Homicide, Armed Robbery. Beasley is a suspect in a random street robbery and shooting that occurred at Gadsden and “Y” Streets in Pensacola on November 19 of this year.
Latasha Griggs – Charged with Possession of Cocaine and Marijuana. Griggs arrest resulted in the seizure of 126 grams of cocaine and marijuana which also led to the arrest of:
Tequilla Stallworth – Was arrested and charged with Grand Theft Auto, Possession of Counterfeit US Currency.
Casey Blackmon – Charged with Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon and Felony Battery by Strangulation. Escambia County Sheriff’s reports state that Blackmon was involved in an argument with his reported girlfriend that resulted in him allegedly choking her, punching and smacking her in the face, then held her down kneeing her in the stomach (police report reflects that she stated she is pregnant and Blackmon was aware of that) and then attempted to tase her with some type of taser device.
Keith Rogers – Charged with Armed Robbery with a Firearm and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. Rogers was wanted in connection with a home invasion robber that took place on October 10th of this year at the Oakwood Terrace Apartment complex. According to victim and witness statements, Rogers and another man approached the victim and Rogers pistol whipped the man and then the two suspects dragged him into his apartment and robbed him before fleeing. Rogers has 6 prior firearm related arrests.
The sweep was by in large successful because of the assistance of Special Deputy Marshal Task Force Officers from Escambia, Bay, Leon, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton County Sheriff’s Offices, Panama City and Tallahassee Police Departments, Florida Department of Corrections and Special Agents from the ATF and FBI.
Fire Destroys Pickup Truck, Camper On Jacks Branch
December 17, 2013
There were no injuries when fire destroyed pickup truck and pop-up camper Monday night near Molino.
The pickup and camper caught fire on Jacks Branch Road, just north of Schifko Road about 7:15 p.m.. The driver of the truck was able to escape without injury.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze, which shut down Jacks Branch Road for about an hour. The exact cause the fire was not immediately known.
Pictured: Fire destroyed a pickup truck and pop-up camper Monday night on Jacks Branch Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
