Lawmakers Set To Tighten Rules On Sex Predators
November 7, 2013
The Florida House is taking a hard look at the state’s civil-commitment process for sexual predators, with House committees working together on an overhaul — and it’s likely that any recent slack in the commitment process will be corrected next year.
“One of the things we are going to do is ratchet up some of the penalties on people who abuse children sexually, abuse seniors, abuse the developmentally disabled,” said House Criminal Justice Chairman Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach. “We’re also going to make sure that when people get out of jail, we don’t just release them back into the wild and hope for the best.”
The process took another step forward this week, as the House Healthy Families Subcommittee took up recommendations still being developed by Gaetz’s criminal-justice panel.
“We must address those here and craft those in this committee,” said House Healthy Families Chairwoman Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart. Her subcommittee oversees the state Department of Children and Families, which in turn oversees the Sexually Violent Predator Program.
Legislative hearings began in September. That came after the June rape and murder of Cherish Perrywinkle, an 8-year-old Jacksonville girl, allegedly by a sexual predator who had been released just weeks before on a prior offense.
Also, in August, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that commitments under the state’s Jimmy Ryce Act had dried up. The act targets sexually violent predators who cannot stop themselves from further violence, and identifying them requires a DCF screening, a psychological evaluation and a trial. Once committed to the 720-bed Florida Civil Commitment Center in Arcadia, they must remain until a judge rules they are no longer dangers to society.
The Sun Sentinel found that 594 offenders had been released statewide, only to be convicted of new sex offenses — more than 460 child molestations, 121 rapes and 14 murders.
“Over a period of a year or two, there were no longer a significant number of people committed under this program,” Harrell said.
Now the Sexually Violent Predator Program has a new director, Kristin Kanner, a 21-year prosecutor and the former head of Broward County’s civil commitment unit for sexual predators. DCF Interim Secretary Esther Jacobo tapped Kanner after hearing her address lawmakers in September.
“It is very clear (Kanner) understands from top to bottom how this works,” Jacobo told lawmakers Tuesday. “She will be adding a focus in addition to the rest of the focus on treatment and identification, the public safety awareness piece and a really important partnership with law enforcement, which is very important for us to do this job correctly.”
Legislators have signaled they will give law-enforcement officers more tools to monitor sexual predators. They’re also considering adding state attorneys and corrections officials to the list of those who refer offenders for a civil-commitment evaluation.
DCF has already added convictions for attempted kidnapping or attempted murder with a sexual component as automatic grounds for referring people for evaluations.
Had that provision been in place, Cherish Perrywinkle might still be alive.
Donald Smith, 56, was released from jail in May and, according to prosecutors, kidnapped, raped and strangled Perrywinkle three weeks later. A registered sex offender, Smith had made repeated failed attempts to kidnap young girls — even posing as a DCF worker in one instance. But those crimes did not qualify him for civil commitment. Now they would.
Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, represented the House Criminal Justice panel at the meeting of Harrell’s subcommittee Tuesday. Harrell said she, Eagle and Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, would shepherd a legislative response on the House side.
Clearly, lawmakers are in no mood for half-measures. Gaetz said crafting the legislation would be one of the most important things his committee does during the 2014 legislative session.
“There are some folks who commit some offenses who we should never let out of jail,” Gaetz said. “If you are predisposed to violently rape children, or senior citizens, or the developmentally disabled, you simply should not be allowed to walk the streets with the rest of us.”
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz talks to the capitol press Wednesday. Photo by Tom Urban, NSF, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Report Details Why Molino Father Arrested At Scene Of Son’s Fatal Wreck
November 6, 2013
Saturday night, a Molino father was arrested on felony charges for attacking first responders and troopers at the scene of a traffic accident that claimed the life of his son.
John David Edmonson, Jr. stands accused of felony battery on an officer, firefighter or EMT, felony aggravated assault on officer, firefighter or EMT, felony resisting an officer with violence and a misdemeanor count of failure to obey police or fire department. Edmonson, 56, was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $15,500 bond.
(For the original story on the accident, click here.)
NorthEscambia.com has obtained the Florida Highway Patrol report on the incident, which spells out in detail exactly what troopers say happened.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol report:
Two troopers were dispatched to the crash and were responding. They were advised by their dispatcher than EMS had reported an “angry mob” was forming and not allowing them to perform their duties. The troopers then sped up their response with lights and sirens, arriving to see the victim’s pickup in the woods, surrounded by first responders.
A fire chief on the scene told troopers there was a man by the truck assaulting EMS and firefighters and interfering with their duties. One trooper reported that he personally observed Edmonson pushing back at firefighters and not obeying their orders to leave the scene. The second trooper made contact with Edmonson and advised him to leave the area so emergency responders could do their job. He refused to leave.
The first trooper then went over to Edmonson and placed his left hand on his shoulder and advised him that he had to leave the scene. He pushed away, and was advised that he would be arrested if he did not leave the scene immediately.
Edmonson became angry and pushed the trooper away. The second trooper then placed the man in a choke hold and attempted to calm him down. He pushed the trooper off, and threw a punch at the second trooper, hitting him in the upper part of his chest.
Both troopers continued their attempt to subdue Edmonson, but he continued resisting. Edmonson then ended up on top of one trooper, trying to punch him. He was pulled off by another trooper by his shirt. Edmonson continued to resist, trying to go back against the trooper. One trooper then pulled out his taser and removed the cartridge due to being in close proximity to other responders.
The trooper advised Edmonson that he would be tased if he continued resisting. Edmonson pushed the trooper with the taser, and the trooper tased Edmonson one time around his stomach, causing him to fall back into bushes.
Edmonson resisted as both troopers attempted to take him into custody; the troopers were eventually able to overpower and handcuff him.
A McDavid firefighter told troopers that Edmonson had grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him away from victim as he tried to render aid.
Edmonson was not seriously injured. He did request that he be checked by a doctor for his diabetes. Escambia County EMS responded to the scene where Edmonson appeared to be having a diabetic issue. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was “cleared” and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
The FHP report also indicates that Edmonson was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Pictured bottom inset: A Florida Highway Patrol trooper talks with John David Edmonson, Jr. after his arrest Saturday night. Pictured below: Edmonson’s alleged struggle with two troopers prompted a large emergency response from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Congressman Jeff Miller’s Staff To Hold Office Hours In Century, Jay
November 6, 2013
Congressman Jeff Miller has announced that his staff will be conducting mobile office hours for Century and Jay on Wednesday, November 13, 2013.
In order to better serve the needs of constituents who are unable to get to the Congressman’s Pensacola or Ft. Walton offices, special “mobile office” days have been established. Expanding on the idea first used for “veterans’ assistance days,” two members of Congressman Miller’s staff will be on hand to answer questions about problems with federal agencies or issues affecting the First Congressional District.
“This is just another way we can better serve our growing population in Northwest Florida,” Miller said. “We tried the mobile office concept earlier and we had such an outstanding turnout that we decided to expand the concept and add more dates and locations to the program.”
The mobile office hours will be conducted on Wednesday, November 13 as follows:
Century Chamber of Commerce
7811 N. Century Blvd
9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
Jay City Hall
3695 Highway 4
11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.:
Molino Man Pleads Not Guilty Of Juvenile Sex Abuse, Bond Remains At $1.6 Million
November 6, 2013
A 61-year old Molino man charged with sexually abusing a teenage family member remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $1.6 million.
Eddie Williams, a resident of Blake Street, has entered a not guilty plea on three counts of sexual assault by a custodian with a victim age 12-18, two different counts of lewd and lascivious behavior with a victim age 12-16, and incest.
During an interview with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the victim said Williams first withheld certain unspecified items from the victim while soliciting her for sex. She eventually had sex with him three to four times.
Williams admitted in an interview with investigators that he had sexual intercourse with the underage victim, according to an arrest report.
International Paper To Hold Grant Application Info Meeting
November 6, 2013
International Paper (IP) Pensacola Mill will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2014 and is hosting a one-hour meeting to review the application process with qualifying non-profit organizations, schools, and state and local government entities. Amanda Morris, from the IP Foundation in Memphis, will be on site to review the grant process.
The meeting will take place at the mill located at 375 Muscogee Road in Cantonment on Wednesday, November 20 at 10 a.m. and will focus on eligibility, criteria and restrictions. Grant committee members will be available for questions.
Reservations to attend the meeting are required as space is limited, however; attendance is not mandatory to apply.
The deadline for all 2014 grant applications is Monday, January 13, 2014.
Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply.
For more information about the Foundation, visit www.ipgiving.com.
To reserve your seat at the workshop, contact Janice Cooper Holmes, communications manager, at 850-968-4203 or email janice.holmes@ipaper.com.
First Baptist Bratt Will Serve As Operation Christmas Child Central
November 6, 2013
Volunteers will soon be busy at the First Baptist Church of Bratt during “National Collection Week” for Operation Christmas Child. For the 20th year, the simple, gift-filled shoe boxes will bring Christmas joy and evangelistic materials to children in over 130 countries across the world.
National Collection Week for OCC is November 18-25. The First Baptist Church of Bratt will be the official OCC Relay Center for the north end of Escambia County, Florida. The FBC Bratt will also accept boxes from individuals, groups or churches in and Escambia County, Alabama, again this year.
“This is not about the FBC of Bratt”, says Student Pastor Tim Hawsey, Relay Center coordinator. “This is about being a blessing and bringing God’s love and hope to children in poverty around the world that would not receive it otherwise. We have gone through the intense process of been approved as a church to be a Relay Center to collect the boxes from individuals, families, and churches of our area, document and pack them into special cartons and take them to the next level for Samaritan’s Purse, and we are blessed to do it.”
Collection hours at the First Baptist Church of Bratt will be:
- Monday, Nov. 18: 8 a.m. – noon, 4-6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 19: 8 a.m. – noon
- Wednesday, Nov. 20: 8 a.m. – noon, 4 PM – 6 PM
- Thursday, Nov. 21: 8 a.m. – noon
- Friday, Nov. 22: 8 a.m. – noon
- Saturday, Nov. 23: 8 a.m. – noon
- Sunday, Nov. 24: 8 a.m. – noon, 4-6 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 25: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
The boxes collected this year at FBC Bratt will go through the Atlanta Processing Center then will be shipped to the countries of Belize, Botswana, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Haiti, Macedonia, Madagascar, Niger, Seychelles, Suriname, Trinidad, Tobago, and the Ukraine.
Operation Christmas Child boxes should be packed in a specific manner, and there are changes this year. For more information, call Hawsey at the First Baptist Church of Bratt at (850) 327-6529, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ, or call (800) 353-5949. Resources are available for churches that wish to participate.
Students Dress To Impress
November 6, 2013
Northview High School recently held a “Dress To Impress” day, with students skipping jeans and t-shirts and wearing their favorite dress clothing instead. Submitted photos for NorhtEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northwest Escambia Claims Three Escambia River Championships
November 6, 2013
Three Northwest Escambia Eagles teams won Escambia River Conference championships Saturday in Jay.
Here are game summaries, as submitted by NWE. (Scroll down below photos for each summary).
NWE Sophomores were named ERC Sophomore Champions Saturday after defeating Poarch 26-6.
NWE and Poarch split regular season games at one win each. Poarch came out scoring quick but Eagles stop the extra point. Kaden Odom scored two touchdowns and one extra point for the Eagles. TJ Wright completed a 50 yard touchdown pass to Nolin Godwin for the play of the game.
Arquavian Smith had two long runs for more than 40 yards each, including one for a touchdown. TJ Wright punched in the extra point for the Eagles. The Eagles defense was able to hold Poarch scoreless for three quarters. Luke Bridges, John Michael Ward, Nathan Chavers, Aiden Broadhead and Braeden McGhee all made stops for the Eagles to help shut down Poarch’s running game.
Kaden Odom was named ERC’s Sophomore MVP for his outstanding performance and leadership on the field. The sophomores are coached by Gordon Godwin, David Nolin, Carl Ward, Ted Bridges, David Odom and Joel Broadhead.
NWE Juniors were named ERC Junior Champions Saturday as they defeated Jay 35-0.
Jayden Jackson started the Eagles off by scoring a 60 yard touchdown on their first possession of the game. Michael Merchant added the extra point with a quarterback sneak.
Jaden Cunningham followed on the next possession scoring with at 55 yard touchdown. Jaheem Durant punched in the extra point for the Eagles. Michael Merchant completed a pass to Dariontae Richardson for a 65 yard touchdown reception. Jaden Cunningham scores the extra point for the Eagles.
Jay drove the ball down to their 5-yard line when Ki-Jauna Carter forces the fumble and Dariontae Richardson recovered for the Eagles. Eagles took advantage of the recovery on the next play with Jayden Jackson running for 95 yards to score a touchdown.
Jaheem Durant scored with a 35 yard touchdown late in the game with Jaden Cunningham scored the extra point bringing the final score to 35-0.
Key plays on defense were made by Logan Bryan who stopped the Royals at their 5-yard line twice, Ki-Juana Carter and Hayden Thrower who each had a sack each. Jackson, Durant, Richardson, Thrower and Cunningham all made stops to prevent the Royals from scoring. Jayden Jackson was named ERC’s Junior Division MVP for his outstanding season.
The junior team has the opportunity to travel to Gulf Shores over Thanksgiving weekend to compete in the Gulf Coast Youth Football Championships, where teams from all over the United States will compete. The Juniors are coached by Patrick Boone, Eric Jefferson, Johnnie Carter, Kevin Bryan, Chris Singleton and Charles Davis.
Northwest Escambia won the Senior Championship 40-30 over Flomaton.
The Seniors Championship Game was a match-up of two undefeated teams, with both Flomaton and NWE coming in with 8-0 records. The game started with a 65 yard scoring drive by NWE, Aunterio Minor picked-up the bulk of those yards running strong through the middle of the Flomaton defense. Minor capped the drive off with a 5 yard TD run, Seth Killam added the successful two-point kick to make the score 8-0.
Flomaton started their first possession at their own 35 and was able to put together a nice drive, ending it by out running the Eagles around the right side of the defense for a TD. The Hurricanes kicker added the two point kick and the score was all tied up at 8-8.
On NWE’s next possession began at their 35 and the Eagles continued to work the middle of the Canes defense behind strong running from Trent Kite. After two hard runs by Kite, the Eagles were in Canes territory. NWE QB Seth Killam then completed a 20 yard pass to Keaton Solmonson, who used great concentration to pull to make a tremendous catch. The Eagles then went back to the run game, and Kite capped off the drive with a 10 yard TD run, Killam’s two point kick was good, and the score stood at 16-8 to begin the second quarter.
The Hurricanes first possession of the second quarter was capped off with a long TD pass, on which the Canes receiver out jumped a NWE defender for the ball. The Canes two point kick was good and the score was all tied up 16-16. The Eagles continued to use a strong running game and some timely passes to move the football, with Killam capping the drive on a QB sneak from the two yard line. Killam added the two point kick and the score was 24-16. The Canes then put together another strong drive, punching the ball into the endzone with only seconds left in the half. The Canes two point kick attempt was no good and at half time the scored stood at NWE 24,Flomaton 22.
NWE held Flomaton on their first second half possession and forced a punt. NWE’s next possession ended on a fumble. After the turnover the Eagles defense stepped up and held the Canes on downs behind strong play from Keegun Johnston, Jovantaye Wright and Minor. The Eagles took advantage of their next possession going back to the run game, attacking the middle of the Canes defense. Minor capped off the drive with a 10 yard TD run. Killam’s two point kick was good to make the score 32-22. On the Canes next possession the Flomaton ball carrier was able to out run the Eagles defense on 50 plus yard TD run. The Flomaton two point kick was good, to make the score 32-30 to begin the 4th Quarter.
On the Eagles next possession the middle of the Flomaton defense seemed to stiffen a bit. The Eagles were faced with a 3rd and 8, inside their own territory, Cameron Cloud the Eagles back up QB came in and completed a great pass down the right sideline to starting QB Seth Killam for the first down. Killam moved back to QB and then out ran the Canes defense on a QB bootleg around the right side for a 20 yard TD run. Killam added the two point kick to make the score NWE 40 Flomaton 30 half way through the 4th quarter.
Flomaton’s next possession ended when Killam intercepted a Canes pass. The Eagles looked to put the game away on their next possession drove down deep into the Canes territory with strong ruining from Trent Kite, but the drive ended with a fumble on the Flomaton 12 yard line. Canes mounted a valiant attempt moving the ball near mid field before the NWE Defense stiffened and sacked the Canes QB on fourth down. After a couple of running plays NWE then took a knee to win the championship 40-30
The NWE Seniors are coched by Greg Gibson, Matt Olsen, Jared Peebles, Brett Roberson, and Zach Windham.
Bill Would Bar Insurers From Considering Gun Ownership
November 6, 2013
State Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, filed a bill this week that would prevent property and auto insurers from refusing to issue or renew policies based on customers’ legal use, possession or ownership of firearms.
The proposal also would bar insurers from charging a “discriminatory” rate because of guns. The proposal, which will be considered during the spring legislative session, would take effect July 1, 2014, if passed.
House, Senate Look At Ditching No Fault Insurance
November 6, 2013
A House Republican is driving forward with plans to replace the state’s “no-fault” auto insurance coverage, two years after lawmakers passed reforms to try to rid the system of fraud.
However, the proposal continues to be reviewed in a “deliberative and thoughtful manner” in the Senate as a number of insurance officials have tempered their call for a change after a constitutional challenge to the 2012 reform law was recently sidetracked.
Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, on Tuesday filed two measures (HB 267 and HB 269) directed at making bodily injury coverage, which a vast majority of motorists in Florida already purchase, the replacement for no-fault.
The measures replicate a draft being put together by Senate Banking and Insurance Chairman David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs.
Simmons said he will continue to gather input on the proposal after his committee reviewed the potential change on Tuesday.
Simmons had been advancing the measure at the request of some insurance officials who said they didn’t expect reforms to the decades-old Personal Injury Protection (PIP) auto insurance system — also known as no-fault — to fully take hold.
But Simmons noted that some of those advocates have taken a wait-and-see attitude after the 1st District Court of Appeal tossed out a challenge to the law Oct. 23. The court found that an acupuncturist, a chiropractor, two massage therapists, a hypothetical “John Doe” representing health-care providers and a hypothetical “Jane Doe” representing motorists lacked legal standing.
Michael Carlson, executive director of the Personal Insurance Federation of Florida, a three-year-old trade association which includes Allstate, Progressive and State Farm, was among those on Tuesday saying the Legislature should continue to see if the 2012 reforms hold.
“There’s some very, very initial trend data showing that some claims are decreasing,” Carlson said. “It seems to indicate some of the costs in the system are being addressed. We’re hopeful the (HB) 119 reforms will continue to address those costs.”
Donovan Brown, state government relations counsel for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, also encouraged lawmakers to give the 2012 law time to work.
“After nearly a year and a lawsuit later, the reforms finally have the ability to be fully implemented,” Brown stated.
Still, Simmons said language in the appeals-court ruling indicates the no-fault system doesn’t have a future.
The court “told us the wrong plaintiffs were involved in that lawsuit but certainly used language that would indicate that there are significant questions that need to be resolved of the 2012 amendments,” Simmons said.
“That 1st DCA opinion, decision provides no solace to an insurance company who is trying to deal with PIP,” Simmons continued. “As someone told me, it’s just a stay of execution.”
Instead of a “hypothetical claim,” the plaintiffs failed to offer a “factual” motorist who is harmed by the law, the judges wrote.
The order reversed a March ruling by Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis, who said the law illegally prevented accident patients from using PIP claims to pay for treatment by acupuncturists and massage therapists and limited services from chiropractors.
Lewis also found fault with the law’s lower limit on how much will be paid for non-emergency medical care.
The 2012 law, signed by Gov. Rick Scott and backed by Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, requires that people involved in motor vehicle crashes seek treatment within 14 days and allows up to $10,000 in benefits for emergency medical conditions and $2,500 for non-emergency conditions.
The bill was considered a last ditch effort to maintain the PIP system, which requires motorists to carry $10,000 in medical coverage.
Ditching no-fault for bodily-injury, which provides coverage if a motorist causes an accident that hurts someone else, is expected to put more questions of medical coverage into the courts as injured parties seek to recoup expenses from at-fault drivers.
Gerald Wester, a lobbyist for the American Insurance Association, said PIP continues to see fraud and recommended that if the Legislature were to change the system, bodily injury should have minimum of $10,000 coverage for a single person injured in an accident and $20,000 for all liable injuries in an accident.
Wester, Paul Sanford, legislative counsel for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and the American Council of Life Insurers, and Paul Jess, the general counsel and deputy executive director of the Florida Justice Association, recommended that the changes in the insurance system include a form of “Medical Payments to Others” — also known as Med Pay — that covers medical payments for all passengers in a vehicle if they are injured in an accident.
Sandra Starnes, Florida Office of Insurance Regulation director of property & casualty product review, said eliminating no-fault could result in savings for most drivers, with the most significant savings in South and Central Florida, where PIP fraud has been most prevalent.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.