FDLE Arrests Six In Fradulent Document Escape Scheme
December 20, 2013
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Thursday announced the arrests of six current and former prison inmates in a continuing investigation into two escapes using forged documents last fall.
The six face a combined 37 charges of conspiracy, escape, forgery and harboring an escaped prisoner. Those charged include Charles Walker and Joseph Jenkins, who were serving life sentences for murder from Orange County and now face additional charges.
The two men escaped from Franklin Correctional Institution using bogus court paperwork indicating their sentences had been reduced: Jenkins on Sept. 27 and Walker on Oct. 8. They were captured in Panama City Beach on Oct. 19.
Authorities know of five other attempted escapes using the same method, including two that were underway when the fraud was discovered. One of the prior attempts was by Jenkins. The attempts occurred at the Franklin Correctional and Gulf Correctional institutions and the Pinellas County Jail.
FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey said the “very complex investigation” will continue.
“These arrests represent significant progress in this case, and we definitely have a more clear understanding of the fraud,” Bailey said. “But it’s important that you understand this is still an active investigation. We still have numerous leads and evidence to filter through.”
Bailey described Nydeed Nashaddai, 48, as “the engineer of the scheme” and “the first to use it before passing his knowledge on to his fellow inmates.” Nashaddai is at Suwannee Correctional Institution and faces an additional four counts in connection with Walker and Jenkins’ escapes.
Also arrested:
Willie Slater Jr., 36, who faces nine counts for his outside role, which included ensuring that the forged documents arrived at the Orange County Clerk of Court’s office.
Terrance Goodman, 37, who drove Jenkins and Walker to Panama City and rented them a motel room. He faces one count of harboring a fugitive and two counts of conspiracy to commit escape.
Jeffrey Forbes, 30, an inmate at Florida State Prison, who faces four counts including escape, conspiracy and forgery.
The forged documents used by Walker and Jenkins were created at Franklin Correctional Institution and included the seal of the Orange County clerk of court’s office and signatures of circuit officials, including Ninth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. and Orange County State Attorney Jeffrey Ashton.
Bailey said so far, the investigation hasn’t pointed to anyone in authority in the criminal justice system being a part of the scheme.
“We have no indication … that anyone in the prison system or at the clerk’s office was involved with this fraud,” he said.
But Department of Corrections Secretary Michael Crews said authorities are still examining the role of the access that inmates had to computers and printers in the prison.
“We’re looking at what we legally have to provide,” he said.
The state expects to begin using a “secure e-system” in February 2014 to transmit court orders so as to close the door on similar attempts in the future.
Lawmakers will consider stiffening penalties for people who are involved in creating false court documents.
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
High School Grades Released; Penalty Takes ‘A’ From Northview And Tate
December 19, 2013
High school grades in Florida generally headed up across Florida, meaning the schools will face tougher standards next year.
In Escambia County, Northview High School improved one letter to a B grade, while the other high schools were unchanged – West Florida at an A ranking, Tate, Pensacola and Washington rated as B schools; and Pine Forest and Escambia rated as C schools.
Northview and Tate both actually earned more than enough points to receive an A rating, but both schools were penalized due to their at-risk student graduation rate.
Across the state, 8 percent of high school and “combination schools” received an A or a B in the 2012-13 school year, the state Department of Education said. The portion of high schools making the highest mark ticked up by one percentage point over 2011-12, to 48 percent, while 30 percent of schools made a B, slipping from 32 percent a year ago
“With more high schools earning A’s, it is clear that our teachers are succeeding in providing Florida students with a quality education,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a news release announcing the numbers.
But the high grades will also spark tougher standards under a State Board of Education rule, adopted in 2011, that requires the standards to rise if 75 percent of any group of schools makes the two highest marks. State officials said Wednesday this marked the first time the new rule has been used.
For example, high schools will now have to score 70 percent of the points available on the state’s grading system, up from 66 percent, to get an A. The standard will increase from 62 percent to 65 percent for a B, and there will be smaller increases in the scores necessary for C and D grades.
Education Commissioner Pam Stewart praised teachers and students for the progress.
“They are doing a good job, and it is really important that we continue to raise the bar as Florida his done, historically, over the years,” she said.
Stewart said that scores could still slip after new tests based on those standards are implemented because Common Core is expected to be more rigorous than the state’s current guidelines.
“I think it’s fair to say that, just as with this move on our high-school grading we are raising the bar, that’s what we’ll be doing in ‘14-’15,” she said.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Authorities Searching For Employee, $24K In Missing Bank Deposits
December 19, 2013
Authorities are searching for a Jay woman who allegedly disappeared after failing to make bank deposits for her employer over a two week period.
Dallas Mabire, 36, of Neal Jones Road, is wanted by the Brewton Police Department. Police say she failed to make $24,000 in bank deposits for the Discount Tobacco store in Brewton over the last couple of weeks.
Anyone with information on Mabire’s whereabouts is asked to call the Brewton Police Department at (251) 867-3212.
Appeals Court Cuts Off Pensacola State Professor In Firing Case
December 19, 2013
Describing him as a “poster-child for vexatious litigants,” the 1st District Court of Appeal this week ordered a former Pensacola State College professor to stop filing motions in an already-decided case about his firing.
A three-judge panel also threatened to take further action if Robert Michael Ardis, who has represented himself in the appeals, continues firing off paperwork.
“There comes a point in every case that the losing party must accept the fact that the case is over and he or she did not prevail,” said the order issued Tuesday by judges L. Clayton Roberts, T. Kent Wetherell and Simone Marstiller. “That point has passed for Mr. Ardis with respect to this case and his firing, and despite his obvious dissatisfaction with our ruling in this case, we see no reason to waste any more of this court’s finite time and resources on Mr. Ardis’ frivolous claims pertaining to his firing. The appellate courts do not exist simply to allow litigants to vent against rulings with which they disagree, and the constitutional right of ‘access to the courts’ does not give litigants free rein to litigate and appeal frivolous claims ad infinitum.”
Pensacola State College fired Ardis after he returned from a sabbatical and presented the college with a master’s degree from an online “diploma mill,” the order said.
He unsuccessfully challenged the firing in arbitration, Escambia County circuit court and the 1st District Court of Appeal. The appeals court affirmed the circuit-court decision on Feb. 14. During the next month, Ardis filed 11 motions, leading the appeals court to order him on March 14 not to make additional filings unless directed by the court. Judges issued an order April 4 denying Ardis’ post-opinion motions and said it would not consider further motions. But this week’s order said Ardis continued making filings with the court.
by The News Service of Florida
Satanic Display Barred From State Capitol; ‘Flying Spaghetti Monster’ OK
December 19, 2013
The state Department of Management Services on Wednesday denied an attempt by “Satanists” to put up a display in the Florida Capitol, which currently showcases a Nativity scene, a Festivus pole made of beer cans, posters from atheists, and a crudely-made Flying Spaghetti Monster.
“The department’s position is that your proposed display is grossly offensive during the holiday season,” DMS Administrative Assistant Sherrie K. Routt emailed a group calling itself the Satanic Temple.
Lucien Greaves, a spokesman for the temple, said in an email the group was “surprised and dismayed” by the rejection.
However, before possibly challenging the decision, the temple is seeking clarification from DMS as it had initially been advised the display had been approved and that “written confirmation is forthcoming,” Greaves said. The group initially requested putting up a 5-foot-by-5-foot poster that featured “religious symbols and images” on Dec. 9.
In the application, the group explained that the public service intended was to “contribute to the plurality of the community by representing the spirit of good will from other faiths.” The group would later send DMS a photo of the proposed display that bannered the phrase “Happy holidays from the Satanic Temple” atop a diorama of an angel falling into hell. A sign on one side of the display referenced Luke 10:18 including the line, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
Since the Florida Prayer Network’s Christian Nativity scene was set up in the first floor of the Capitol on Dec. 3, DMS has approved requests for space in the rotunda for a 6-foot-tall “Festivus” pole made of Pabst Blue Ribbon cans by South Florida political blogger Chaz Stevens and seasonal signs from the Tallahassee Atheists, The American Atheists Florida Regional Directors and the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Also, on Tuesday, the department approved a display that included an office chair and shredded paper depicting spaghetti for the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Last January, the “Satanists” drew about six of the self-professed devil worshipers to the steps of the Old Capitol for what they said was an event to praise Gov. Rick Scott — but that was reported to be part of an effort to make a fake documentary.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster has joined a growing number of groups putting up irreverent displays in the first floor of the Florida Capitol since a Nativity scene (pictured page bottom) was placed their by a Christian group. A display proposed by the Satanic Temple that was rejected by the Department of Management Service for the Florida Capitol. Photos by Jim Turner for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Lily Townson Named An American Volleyball Coaches Player of the Year
December 19, 2013
Northview High School’s Lily Townson has been named an American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year.
Since 2007, the AVCA has selected a regional player of the year. This year, there were over 14,000 girls that played high school volleyball in Florida from 645 schools. Florida’s volleyball coaches voted, based upon season stats, for a player of the year.
Townson’s award as the Region 2, District 3 Class 1A Player of the Year marked the first AVCA award for a Northview Lady Chief.
Pictured top: Northview volleyball coach Barbara Luker (left) presents an American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year award to Lily Townson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..
Paving Work Continues On Dirt Portion Of Bratt Road
December 19, 2013
Work is continuing to pave a dirt portion of Bratt Road.
The project includes the dirt road paving and drainage improvements on Bratt Road from Pine Barren Road east about 1.25 miles to the existing paved roadway. The county road department has provided pipe installation and grading, while contractor Roads Inc. is performing the paving.
The project does not include the section of Bratt Road from Pine Barren Road to the Travis Nelson Park and West Highway 4.
Pictured: A partially paved portion of Bratt Road near Vaughn Road as seen Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Convicted Of Murder
December 19, 2013
An Escambia County man was found guilty Wednesday of the the fatal shooting of a teen last year.
Scott Rozear Mason, 45, was convicted second degree murder for the fatal shooting of his guest Matthew Nestle, 18, during an argument at a home on West Gadsden Street during December 2012. Mason first claimed the shooting was in self defense and he was trying to get the gun away from Nestle when it fired.
Mason faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced next month.
Man Gets 15 Years For Drug Trafficking
December 19, 2013
An Escambia judge has sentenced an Escambia County man to prison for drug trafficking.
Timothy Allen Gilley was sentenced by Judge Gary Bergosh to a minimum mandatory 15 years in state prison for trafficking in hydrocodone. He was previously convicted by an Escambia County jury.
On August 18, 2011, Gilley met a confidential informant working with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and sold 22 hydrocodone pills to the informant, according to prosecutors.
Burglar Gets 10 Years In Prison
December 19, 2013
An Escambia County burglar will spend the next 10 years in prison.
Overton Dixon was sentenced as a habitual felony offender by Judge Scott Duncan for multiple burglaries. On November 15, 2013, Dixon was set for trial for burglarizing Lincoln Park Elementary when he entered a plea of no contest straight up.
On October 11, 2012, Lincoln Park Elementary was broken into and a microwave was taken. Blood was located on the floor at the point of entry. DNA from the blood matched that of Dixon, according to prosecutors.
Dixon was also sentenced for two other burglaries occurring on November 25 and 27, 2012 and was sentenced to 10 years state prison concurrent.