Man That Promised 500 Century Jobs Sentenced To Prison For Fraud
September 13, 2013
The man behind a promise of up to 500 jobs announced in 2010 that never materialized in Century — will spend the next few years in prison on fraud charges brought against him by Alabama authorities.
James Leonard Craft, age 72 of Century, pleaded guilty in Cullman County, Ala., to engaging in a scheme or artifice to defraud in connection with the sale of securities. He was sentenced to a 10-year sentence, split to serve three years, the first 90 days in jail, to be released with the opportunity to pay $185,000 in restitution to his victims. If Craft fails to pay the restitution as ordered, he will serve the remainder of his sentence in the custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections.
An investigation by the Alabama Securities Commission found that Craft solicited funds from investors to purportedly purchase wood products from South America, which were to be resold to U.S. distributors for the making of railroad cross ties and other products at a plant to be located in the former Alger Sullivan Lumber Company building in Century.
Craft was the manager of Century Lumber and Land, a company that held a ribbon cutting back in October 2010 for a group of new businesses that planned to locate in Century’s vacant Alger Sullivan Lumber Company property and bring up to 500 jobs to the struggling town. According to Workforce Escarosa, over 3,000 people applied for those jobs.
Craft stood holding the arm of Century Mayor Freddie McCall in October 2010 as the mayor cut a symbolic ribbon for Century Lumber and Land. Community members, Century town council members, county commissioners, and other county government representatives and business officials stood behind a Century Area Chamber of Commerce sign as the yellow ribbon fell.
But there was a tidbit very few of them knew — Craft nor the company never had any legal claim the to property where he was holding the ribbon cutting.
“It was never sold; it never even had a binder,” EXIT Realty NFI-Commerical agent Gary Watson said after the ribbon cutting on behalf of the property owners.
In 2010, the Alabama Securities Commission issued a cease and desist order on Craft and his Century Lumber and Land after an attempt was made to solicit money from Alabama investors in at least three Alabama counties. The ASC said neither Craft nor his business was registered to sell securities in Alabama as required by law.
In testimony in Cullman County (Ala.) Circuit Court, Craft readily admitted to Judge Gregory Nicholas that he intended on using the money for personal reasons while simultaneously making a fraudulent pitch that the investors’ funds were to be used to purchase wood products.
In September 2011, Craft was arrested by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and extradited to Etowah County, Ala., to face charges. Craft’s arrest stemmed from a Etowah County Grand jury indictment for alleged illegal securities activities associated with his company. Indictments against Craft were also returned in Cullman and Shelby counties. All of the charges were later combined and tried in Cullman County Circuit Court.
“Our mission at the Alabama Securities Commission is to protect Alabama citizens from the deceitful and devious activities of people like Mr. Craft who seem to have an unlimited ability to conjure up ways to steal money from vulnerable and trusting people. The felony conviction and the court’s strong response should send a loud and clear message to financia predators to stay out of the State of Alabama.” ASC Director Joseph Borg said.
Pictured top: Convicted felon James Leonard Craft (light blue shirt, front left) holds the arm of Century Mayor Freddie McCall as he cuts the ribbon for Century Lumber and Land in October 2010. Pictured below: A group hoping to apply for a job gathered during the ribbon cutting. Pictured inset: The former Alger Sullivan Lumber Company building in Century was the planned home for Craft’s company. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Man Convicted Of Abusing Young Teen
September 13, 2013
A Santa Rosa County man has been convicted of abusing a young teen.
Russell Lee Maloney, 34, was convicted of sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority. He was arrested on April 30, 2012 after the 14-year old victim disclosed to her youth pastor that Maloney had engaged in sexual intercourse with her at his home. During a videotaped interview, Maloney admitted to Detective Scott Jones that he had sex with the child.
Circuit Judge John Simon scheduled sentencing for October 22, 2013, and ordered Maloney to remain in the Santa Rosa County Jail until that time. Maloney faces a maximum of 30 years in state prison.
Equine Group Rescues Two Malnourished Horses
September 13, 2013
Two malnourished horses were recently rescued by the Cantonment based Panhandle Equine Rescue.
PER received a report that a very thin horse was down in a yard on Bowman Avenue, just off Nine Mile Road. PER and Escambia County Animal Control responded and found two Tennessee Walking Horses in poor condition. One was unable to get up on her own.
“But with the help of a veterinarian, my family, volunteers and several county employees from animal control and environmental, we were able to get her up. She went down again, but they all quickly got her right back on her feet,” PER President Diane Lowery said. “Everyone came together to help this special little horse.”
The owner voluntarily signed ownership of the horses over to PER. The horses, mares named Capona and Sweet Mary, are mother and daughter, according to PER President Diane Lowery. PER reported Thursday that Capona remains in poor shape, still unable to stand without assistance.
“I am requesting prayers from everyone and donations. We still have a long road ahead and they are not out of the woods yet. This will be a costly endeavor, well worth it, but will put a huge dent in our funds.”
For additional photos of Capona, click here. (Warning: Some readers may find the photographs to be disturbing.)
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County.
Lowery said PER may pursue the filing of criminal charges in the case.
For more information on Panhandle Equine Rescue and how to donate to the organization visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Budget Surplus Projected, But Senate Budget Chair Cautious
September 13, 2013
A key legislative committee approved a report projecting an $845.7 million surplus in the budget year that begins July 1, but only after the Senate budget chief warned that new spending or tax cuts will still likely have to be offset somewhere else.
Continuing a policy from last year, Senate Budget Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said the continuing recovery of the state’s budget from the wake of the Great Recession is no reason to go on a spending binge.
“In order to fund new priorities, initiatives, things that our constituents feel are important in 2013 and 2014, we’re going continue to have to have the discipline to review previous expenditures that were important to legislators who were duly elected in the 1990s and in 2000 and 2010,” Negron said.
His comments came as Gov. Rick Scott travels around the state to pitch a $500 million tax cut and ask Floridians which taxes and fees it should be used to cut. Negron has his own idea, filing a bill Thursday that would roll back vehicle-registration fees that were approved to close a budget shortfall in 2009. The new proposal (SB 156) updates a similar measure last year that died in part because of resistance to getting rid of a tax break benefiting insurance companies; the new proposal would jettison that, at least for now.
“But I still want to explore during session tax incentive programs that may have been great in 1983, 1986 or 2000 but have outlived their usefulness and maybe they’ve accomplished their objectives,” Negron said.
Despite Negron’s warnings about offsetting any budget changes, Scott is ultimately expected to get his tax cut through a GOP-dominated Legislature in an election year. House Majority Leader Steve Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican slated to take over as speaker after the 2014 elections, issued a statement Thursday suggesting as much.
“Though we will continue to follow our fiscally conservative principles as we develop our budget proposal in the upcoming session, I am hopeful that these improved conditions will allow us the opportunity to provide a significant tax break for Florida families and businesses,” Crisafulli said.
A spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party quickly flagged Negron’s comments in an email to reporters, arguing they could foreshadow budget cuts and were “further confirmation that Rick Scott’s tax plan will wind up being harmful to Florida’s families.”
The outlook approved Thursday by the Legislative Budget Commission was part of the state’s annual budget cycle. It attempts to account for expected spending in high priority areas and likely decisions by the Legislature, such as setting aside at least $1 billion to make sure the state can cover unforeseen expenses. But it doesn’t try to figure out what new programs or dramatic increases to existing programs lawmakers might approve.
The commission also approved a handful of amendments to the current spending plan, including changes to help close a $35.5 million deficit at the Department of Juvenile Justice created by a recent court ruling requiring the state to pay a larger share of the cost of locking up juvenile offenders.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Seasons Of Hope Banquet To Benefit Terminally Ill, Injured Warriors
September 13, 2013
Seasons of Hope will hold their Second Annual Benefit Bandquet fundraiser later in just over a week.
Seasons of Hope provides positive outdoor hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor activities for the terminally ill, the physically challenged and members of the Armed Forces injured in the line of duty. The excursions are provided at little or no cost.
The benefit banquet will be held Saturday, September 21 at 5 p.m. at SS Dixon Intermediate School at 5540 Education Drive in Pace. In addition to the meal, there will be a silent auction. Guest speaker will be Brad Clay of Final Descent Outdoors. Tickets are $10 each.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.seasonsofhopeinc.org or call Bryen Ballard at (850) 232-0592.
Early Morning Beulah Store Burglary Under Investigation
September 12, 2013
Deputies are looking for a suspect in an early morning store burglary in Beulah.
Shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an alarm at the Quick Fill at 6500 West Nine Mile Road, near the intersection of Bridlewood Road. A large double paned window in the front of the store had been smashed. Store property had been damaged and an undisclosed amount of money had been removed from the register.
Investigators are looking for a white male suspect wearing a green to grayish shirt with a white t-shirt and blue jeans as well as a black male who was wearing a green t-shirt and black pants.
Anyone with information about this incident isasked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Seven Area Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
September 12, 2013
Seven local high school students have been named semifinalists in the 59th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
The students are Eion M. Blanchard (pictured) from Tate High School; Nathan B. Deng, Caroline M. Fleischhauer, Preston E. Jones, Garrett P. Robinson and Richard J. Sliva, of Pensacola High School; and Andrew D. Royappa, a homeschooled student.
About 16,000 national semifinalists were announced Wednesday. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,000 National Merit Scholarships worth about $35 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.
To become a finalist, the semifinalist and their high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record through-out high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
Century Set To Approve Budget With 50 Percent Increase
September 12, 2013
The Town of Century will hold a public hearing next Monday afternoon before adopting a budget up about 50 percent over last year and setting the tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year.
The proposed 2013-2014 budget is$4,384,791, up about $1.6 million over the last fiscal year. The operating budget increase is due to grant income and associated expenditures of $1,595,000 — including a $650,000 housing grant and a $944,000 drainage project grant for North Century Boulevard.
There will be no net increase in ad valorem taxes this year to meet the budget for fiscal year 2013-2014, which begins October 1. The recomputed millage rate of .9006 is equal to and does not exceed the rolled-back rate.
The budget hearing will be held at 6:50 p.m. Monday at the Century Town Hall, 7995 North Century Boulevard. The budget hearing is just prior to a regular meeting of the Century Town Council.
To view a summary of the budget in pdf format, click here or the image below.
Woman Bitten By Snake Inside Her Home
September 12, 2013
A Bogia woman reported that she was bitten by a snake inside her home late Wednesday afternoon.
The 43-year old woman told dispatchers that she was inside her mobile home in the 200 block of East Bogia Road about 4:50 p.m. when a black or gray snake bit her foot. She waited outside for first responders to arrive.
Officials said she suffered a couple of scrape marks on her foot from the snake but no puncture wound. She was in no distress and not transported to the hospital. The snake had slithered away by the time first responders arrived, and they were unable to locate it.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County EMS responded to the call.
Pictured: A 43-year old woman was bitten by a snake inside her Bogia home Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New ‘Florida Farm Weather’ App Aimed At Farmers
September 12, 2013
Agricultural producers across Florida can now use their smartphones or computers to get real-time local weather data starting this week through the “My Florida Farm Weather” program. The program, developed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in partnership with University of Florida’s Automated Weather Network (FAWN), provides up-to-the-minute information on key weather variables, including rainfall, temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed and wind direction.
The information is available online, where a map of the state of Florida aggregates data collected from weather stations on private agricultural lands throughout Florida. Visit http://fawn.ifas.ufl.edu/mffw/ and check the box next to “Grower” to view the data. The information is also available on Android smartphone platforms. An iPhone platform will be available in coming months. In addition, more enhancements, including historical data, will be added to the site.
“This technology will help Florida agricultural producers more efficiently manage irrigation and the application of nutrients on their lands,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Real-time weather data will also help producers save costs and mitigate their impact on the environment.”
Over the past year, the department has partnered with agricultural producers to install the weather stations and input data into a test site. So far, 79 operations are participating in the pilot program, with more applications pending. Producers enrolled in Florida’s agricultural Best Management Practices are eligible to participate.
Using the weather stations helps producers:
- Determine when to delay irrigation after rainfall and when to irrigate during frost/freeze events, which can reduce water use and costs.
- Determine when to use fungicide or pesticide sprays or fertilizer applications, which can reduce waste and costs.
- Optimize water use and minimize runoff of fertilizers and other farm chemicals into water.
Producers are eligible to receive funding for one weather station for each 300 acres of the operation. The department provides 75 percent of the cost of each device up to $5,000, with a total cap of $25,000 per producer. The technology was developed through a partnership with the University of Florida’s Automated Weather Network (FAWN).
Pictured: Work on a FAWN weather station. File photo.