DOJ Presents Settlement In Escambia Jail Investigation
December 20, 2013
Escambia County has received an initial draft of a proposed consent agreement from the U.S. Department of Justice in the DOJ’s investigation into the Escambia County Jail.
Escambia County staff is reviewing the proposal and will begin internal discussions regarding a recommended counter proposal to the DOJ, the county said in a news release Thursday afternoon.
The draft of the proposed consent agreement will be placed on the January 2 Board of County Commissioners Agenda for discussion.
A DOJ report released in May found that conditions inside the Escambia County Jail routinely violate the constitutional rights of prisoners.
The DOJ concluded that known systemic deficiencies at the jail, mainly due to staffing shortages, continue to subject prisoners to excessive risk of assault by other prisoners and to “clearly inadequate” mental health care.
The five-year investigation also found that until recently, the jail had an informal policy and practice of designating some of its housing units as only for African-American prisoners. By segregating some of its prisoners on the basis of race, the jail not only stigmatized and discriminated against many of its African-American prisoners, it also fanned combustible racial tensions within the jail.
The report became a focal point between the county commission and Sheriff David Morgan with battles ensuing over how to respond to the report and budgeting issues with taking recommended actions. The Escambia County Commission eventually voted to take control of the jail of the sheriff and directly respond to the DOJ report.
The DOJ proposed consent degree spells out, in a 28 page document, requirements for the county to fully staff the jail, eventually hiring 100 more employees. Goals would be put in place aimed at reducing violence among prisoners, paying closer attention to mental health issues and assurance that the jail remain desegregated.
To read the complete DOJ proposed consent agreement, click here.
Obama Commutes Escambia Woman’s Life Sentence For Drugs
December 20, 2013
President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of eight federal inmates Thursday, including an Escambia County woman.
Stephanie Yvette George of Pensacola received a life sentence in 1997 for conspiracy to possess cocaine base with intent to distribute. Her prison sentence was commuted by the president to expire on April 17, 2014.
Her former boyfriend’s half-kilogram of crack cocaine was hidden in a box in her attic, according to a New York Times report.
“Even though you have been involved in drugs and drug dealing,” Judge Vinson told George, according to the New York Times. “Your role has basically been as a girlfriend and bag holder and money holder but not actively involved in the drug dealing, so certainly in my judgment it does not warrant a life sentence.”
Due to mandatory federal sentencing guidelines in effect at the time, Vinson was forced to sentence George, now 43, to life in prison.
“This law began to right a decades-old injustice, but for thousands of inmates, it came too late. If they had been sentenced under the current law, many of them would have already served their time and paid their debt to society. Instead, because of a disparity in the law that is now recognized as unjust, they remain in prison, separated from their families and their communities, at a cost of millions of taxpayer dollars each year,” Obama said. “Commuting the sentences of these eight Americans is an important step toward restoring fundamental ideals of justice and fairness.”
Obama signed the Fair Sentencing Act in 2010, narrowing the disparity between penalties for crack and powder cocaine offenses.
Body Of Missing Woman Found In Wrecked Vehicle
December 20, 2013
The body of an Atmore woman missing for just over three weeks was found inside her wrecked car Thursday.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office said 42-year old Marcie Brewton Morgan last spoke to a family member on December 3 and was believed to be in the Saraland, AL, area at the time. A “ping” from her cell phone was recorded later that day by a cell phone tower in Canoe, AL, area, east of Atmore.
Thursday, authorities and volunteers from Florida and Alabama joined with the KlaasKids Foundation, a search and rescue organization from Pensacola, in a methodical search centered in a five mile radius of that cell phone tower.
The search located Morgan’s 2001 Lincoln Town car in a ditch estimated to be 20-feet deep adjacent to Jerkins Loop Road, less than two miles from her home. After the car was removed from the ditch, authorities said a body positively identified as Morgan was found inside.
Authorities said Morgan appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed when she ran into the ditch.
The investigation into Morgan’s death is continuing by the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and Alabama State Troopers.
Flomaton Man Charged With Sexual Abuse Of 5-Year Old Boy
December 20, 2013
A Flomaton man has been charged with performing sexual acts on a 5-year old boy.
Casey Reed Kyle, 26, was arrested by the Flomaton Police Department on one felony count of first degree sodomy on a child under 12 years old. He was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
The Flomaton Police Department was notified of the alleged abuse by the child’s parents. When questioned by police, Kyle admitted performing the sexual acts, according to Flomaton Police Chief Byran Davis. He said authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if there might be any other victims in the case.
Anyone with information about the case or any other information about Kyle is asked to contact the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or their nearest law enforcement agency.
Schools: Christmas Break Begins
December 20, 2013
For all Escambia County public schools, Friday marked the last day of school until next year.
Christmas break began Friday. Students will return to school on January 7, 2014.
Teachers will return to the classrooms a day earlier, on January 6, for a work day. The next school holiday will be Monday, January 20 for Martin Luther King Day.
Murder Trial Postponed For Molino Mom Claiming Self Defense
December 20, 2013
A Molino woman that claimed she shot her husband in self defense appeared in court Thursday.
The second degree murder trial of 43-year old Rebecca A. Rogers was set to begin January 6, but Thursday Circuit Judge Ross Goodman approved a defense request to delay her jury trial until early March.
Rogers has entered a not guilty plea to the charges against her. She remains free on a $300,000 bond posted in late September.
She allegedly shot her husband, 42-year old Jason Lee Rogers, in the head last August at the couple’s home in the in the 3400 block of Highway 29 near Mathison Road. He died about two days later.
The shooting was domestic violence related, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Rebecca Rogers called 911 to say that her husband choked her and she shot him, according to an arrest report. Deputies arrived to find Rebecca Rogers standing outside the home. They found Jason Rogers lying unconscious in the back bedroom of the home on his stomach with what appeared to be a gunshot to his head. According to the report, he also suffered two other gunshot wounds to the back.
The couple had four daughters together.
Stolen Coins Lead To Felony Charges
December 20, 2013
A Century woman is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing checks and silver coins from her mother.
Sunceree Covan Bledsoe, 48, was charged with felony grand theft and felony dealing in stolen property. She remained in the Escambia County Jail early Friday morning with bond set at $18,500.
Bledsoe’s mother accused her of stealing two checks and antique silver coins with a face value of $298 that were worth an estimated $1,o00. Bledsoe allegedly sold some of the coins to a Jefferson Avenue resident for $10 cash.
Bledsoe then allegedly redeemed additional coins at a coin to cash machine at the Century Food Giant, receiving $28.09 .
Governor Appoints Cantonment Man To Board Of Physical Therapy
December 20, 2013
Gov . Rick Scott announced 16 reappointments to medical quality assurance health boards throughout the state on Thursday, including that of a Cantonment man.
Clint E. Lohr, 41, was reappointed to the Board of Physical Therapy Practice by the governor. Lohr is the corporate director of rehabilitation for Baptist Health Care. He was reappointed for a term beginning December 19, 2013, and ending October 31, 2017.
The reappointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Santa Visits The Century Library’s Annual Christmas Program
December 20, 2013
Santa made a special visit to the Century Branch Library Thursday afternoon, hearing those special last minute requests for items like tablet computers, video games, dolls, clothes and more.
The event also included a Christmas story, a craft, a gift from an elf and more.
Pictured: The annual Christmas program at the Century Branch Library Thursday afternoon included a visit from Santa Claus. Submitted photos by August Whorff for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
$88,113 Lottery Ticket Expires Today
December 20, 2013
A winning Fantasy 5 prize winning ticket worth $88,113.47 remains unclaimed and becomes worthless in a few hours. The 180-day deadline to claim the top prize in Friday at midnight.
The winning Fantasy 5 numbers for the June 23 drawing were 05-07-12-24-35.
The ticket was purchased at the Kangaroo Express at 3225 West Nine Mile Road in Pensacola.