More Details Released: Cantonment Man Gets Five Years For Child Porn
May 16, 2013
A former gospel music pianist from Cantonment is headed to federal prison on child pornography charges.
Mack Stewart Varnado Jr., 32, pleaded guilty earlier this year to recipient of child pornography and transportation in child pornography. He was indicted after an investigation revealed that he sent 14 child pornography images to another person, according to court documents.
He was sentenced to five years in federal prison and ordered to report to begin his sentence by July 15. After release, he will be required to register as a sex offender and will be on probation for six years.
On October 13, 2011, a cybertip was reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that sparked the local investigation. The report documented email messages containing child pornography being transmitted from an AOL account in the Northern District of Florida. Specifically, on October 12, 2011, AOL detected an email message sent from a user account traced to Varnado to an Yahoo subscriber.
The message contained several child sexual exploitation images. Detective Chris Wilkinson, of the Pensacola Police Department, was able to trace this email message to Varnado at his residence in Cantonment. A total of 14 illicit images had been sent by Varnado. All of the images depicted minor children between approximately 10-14 years old engaged in various sexual activities.
On or about January 13, 2012, Detective Wilkinson obtained a warrant to search the email account hosted by AOL, located in Dulles, Virginia. On January 18, 2012, AOL responded that Varnado maintained email messages, both sent and received, which had attachments of child pornography.
All this information led to a federal search warrant on Varnado’s residence in Cantonment. The defendant was present during the execution of the search warrant. Multiple pieces of digital media were seized. A forensic examination of Varnado’s digital media revealed images and videos of child pornography, matches for the screen name in the original tip, and matches to those images located in the “sent” mailbox linked to the email account used by Varnado.
In addition, based upon Varnado sending and receiving child pornography from his residence in Cantonment, Senior United States District Judge Roger Vinson ordered that Varnado forfeit his interest in the residence because it was used to facilitate the online crimes against children. This amounted to Varnado forfeiting $74,000 to the United States government.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Marsh said, “Protecting our children from the permanent scars left behind when this kind of exploitation occurs is critically important work. This prison sentence, along with the forfeiture ruling, should send a strong message of deterrence. We have the expertise to responsibly gather the necessary evidence to charge these cases, and the charges when proven beyond a reasonable doubt carry serious penalties under federal law.” She expressed her gratitude to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pensacola Police Department for their cooperation, dedication, and expertise in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood,
Varnado was a pianist for the nationally known gospel group The Dixie Echoes from 1998 until last year.
Area Businesses Alerted About Bad Checks
May 16, 2013
The Atmore Police Department is warning business owners to be on the lookout for bogus checks.
Officials said Wednesday that the department has received numerous complaints from local business owners that have accepted checks that turned out to be forged, counterfeited or written on closed accounts.
” This has become a more frequent problem in the past few months,” said Investigator Robby Williams. “Business owners and employees should be diligent when dealing with customers paying with checks.”
The Atmore Police Department is offering the following tips to area businesses that accept checks:
- Determine the origin of the check. If it is a check you were not expecting or is from a sender with whom you are unfamiliar, you should be suspicious of its validity.
- At the bottom of a check, you will see three groups of numbers. The first group is the routing number. The second is the account number, and the third is the check number. The bottom line on all checks printed and used in North America is printed using a special font called MICR (short for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition). Look at the check number in the upper right hand corner and see if it matches the last few digits (the third group of numbers) on the MICR line. The MICR line is the long string of numbers that is at the bottom of the check.
- Visit: http://www.fededirectory.frb.org/search.cfm Enter the routing number in the search box and click “Search.” The website will then tell you what financial institution is linked to that routing number, along with the city in which the financial institution is located. If this is not the same as the information printed on the check, it may be a fake check.
- Call the bank that issued the check if you are still unsure about the check’s validity. You can provide them with the routing number and account number, as shown in the MICR line. They can then tell you if it is a legit check.
- Confirm the identity of the check writer. All I.D. can be forged. The most reliable form of I.D. is that which contains a photo and a physical description. Take the I.D. in hand and write the I.D. number, birth date, address and other descriptive data on the front of the check. If possible, make a photo copy of the I.D. Ask questions. If the I.D. does not belong to the person writing the check, they may be thrown off guard. Make sure the person presenting the check is the same person on the I.D. Several of the cases being currently investigated by Atmore Police involve the offender using a fake I.D.
- The signature should be legible and signed in the presence of the individual accepting the check. Do NOT accept previously signed checks. For a company check, it is vital that the signature is legible. If not, print the individual’s name on the front of the check. The complete address should be imprinted on the check.
- Require a street address, in addition to a P.O. Box number. Obtain a phone number as well.
Pictured: A portion of downtown Atmore. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
RV Fire Shuts Down Portion Of I-10
May 16, 2013
Fire destroyed an RV, shutting down a portion of I-10 Wednesday evening. The westbound lanes of I-10 were closed about a mile west of the Florida Welcome Center in Beulah for about an hour due to the fire. There were no injuries reported. Pictured: An RV burns on I-10 about 6:45 p.m. Reader submitted photos by Lynn Garrett, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Beat Chattanooga
May 16, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos extended their winning streak to a season-high three games in dramatic fashion, walking off over the Chattanooga Lookouts 4-3 in 10 innings on Wednesday night in front of 3,914 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Ryan LaMarre was the hero in Wednesday’s contest providing the game-winning single that scored Bryson Smith from second. LaMarre was originally trying to lay down a sac bunt with runners on first and second, but slapped the single inside the first base bag with two strikes.
The Wahoos offense jumped out to an early start with two solo homers, one from Joe Mather in the second inning and another from Smith in the third. Both Mather and Smith finished with three-hit games as the Wahoos scored four or more runs for the fourth consecutive contest.
Much like last night, Chattanooga battled back and eventually took the lead in the later innings. Trailing 2-1 heading to the eighth, Omar Luna snuck a single through the middle of the infield that scored Yasiel Puig and Blake Smith to give the Lookouts a 3-2 advantage.
In the last of the eighth inning, Pensacola loaded the bases and knotted the game when Mather blooped a single into right for his second RBI of the contest. The Wahoos couldn’t push across another run though as Jose Dominguez forced a fielder’s choice from Travis Mattair and struck out Devin Lohman.
Chris Manno got the win in relief for Pensacola by working out of trouble in the 10th inning, his only inning of work. He allowed a walk and a single but struck out two to improve to 1-1. Aaron Miller (0-2) took the loss for Chattanooga by giving up a run on two hits without recording an out.
Pensacola starter Josh Smith turned in a quality start by giving up a run while scattering seven hits in six innings. He didn’t factor in the decision but struck out four and lowered his ERA to below 4.00 for the first time this year.
Having already won the series, Pensacola looks to win its fourth in a row on Thursday night at 7 p.m. Major league rehabber Manny Parra (0-0, 0.00) will start and throw two innings for the Wahoos, followed by originally scheduled starter Tim Crabbe (2-2, 2.27). Ross Stripling (1-0, 1.50) gets the ball for Chattanooga.
story by Kevin Burke
School Bus Driver Charged After Rear-Ending Pickup Truck
May 15, 2013
An Escambia County school bus driver was charged after rear-ending a pickup truck this afternoon on 9½ Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 28-year old Mika R. Perritt, age 28 of Atlanta, was stopped for traffic in a 2000 Chevrolet C1500 on 9½ Mile Road near Raymar Street. The school bus driver, Letha D. Mauldin, age 57 of Cantonment, failed to stop before hitting the pickup about 2:05 p.m.
Damage to both vehicles was minimal.
There were 49 children on the bus at the time of the crash. There were no injuries.
Mauldin, the bus driver, was charged with careless driving, the FHP said.
Speedy Finish: Sheriff’s Office Recovers Molino Teen’s Kart Racing Gear
May 15, 2013
A championship kart racing Molino teen, and his sister, are headed for the starting line this weekend thanks to the speedy work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Tuesday afternoon, Investigator David Preston returned about $16,000 worth of stolen kart racing gear back to the Parker family. Jarrett Parker, 18, is a star of sorts in the world of kart racing, winning state titles and racing his way to the top in several national events.
But the brakes were put on his racing career after the burglary at the family workshop on Gibson road on May 4. A 2012 Elite Triton kart, five motors, cases of MAXXIS tires, tools and other items were taken from the workshop, while other items not related to kart racing like lawn equipment were left behind.
After a story about the thefts appeared on NorthEscambia.com on May 6, the Sheriff’s Office and family began to receive tips that led to the recovery of the racing equipment.
“I’m glad to have this stuff back where I can race again,” Jarrett Parker said Tuesday afternoon as the family picked up the tires, engines and more at the Molino Sheriff’s Substation. Almost every piece of stolen equipment was recovered undamaged, other than the suspects had attempted to change the appearance of several engines by painting them.
Preston said arrests are forthcoming in the case, but declined to provide further details about the suspects.
Jarrett said he plans to race this weekend in State Line, Mississippi. And sister Lakelynn Parker is getting into the action too in her first major kart race.
“I won’t beat him,” Lakelynn said, smiling. “But that’s because I’m in a different class.”
Some of the stolen items, including three motors, belonged to Jarrett’s 10-year old teammate Chambers McGilberry of Selma, Ala. Jarrett Parker has been serving as a mentor for McGilberry for several months.
“The Lord has blessed us,” mom Tammra Parker said. offering her thanks to everyone that helped spread the word about the burglary, leading to the recovery. “We are truly grateful.”
Pictured top: Molino teen Jarrett Parker with about $16,000 worth of stolen kart racing gear returned Tuesday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Pictured top inset: The suspects attempted to change the appearance of motors by painting them. Pictured bottom inset: Parker thanks Escambia County Sheriff’s Investigator David Preston. Pictured inset: Jarrett Parker and his father Cott discuss the case with Preston Tuesday afternoon in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Indicted In Molino Related Murder
May 15, 2013
Two people were indicted Tuesday by a grand jury in connection with a Molino-related murder.
An Escambia County Grand Jury indicted Zachary Greer and Debra Burge for first degree murder in the death of Harvey Ray Smith.
The body of Harvey Ray Smith, age 43 of Pace, was found stuffed into a trunk behind a Motel 6 on Davis Highway the morning on May4. Smith had been reported missing in Santa Rosa County. Family members located his vehicle at the motel and then discovered the body.
Reports state Burge and Greer conspired to rob Smith. Burge allegedly lured Smith, her acquaintance, to her home in the 3900 block of Highway 97 in Molino. She told deputies she went inside while Smith and Greer remained outside. When she later exited the home, she found Smith on the ground bleeding. She told Sheriff’s investigators that Greer told her he killed Smith and put his body in the trunk of the car that was later driven to the Motel 6 on Davis Highway in Pensacola.
Arraignment for both defendants is scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2013.
Fund Raiser Benefits Cheerleaders; Families In The Philippines
May 15, 2013
Northview High School cheerleaders are selling Threads of Hope Bracelets. The Threads of Hope bracelets are handmade by working women and families in the Philippines. Of each $2 bracelet sold, $1 goes to the Northview cheerleaders and $1 goes back to the Filipino women and their families. The bracelets are available in the Northview office or from any NHS cheerleader. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Honor Track Standouts
May 15, 2013
The Northview Chiefs held their annual track banquet Tuesday night at the school.
Among the awards presented were:
- Boys Coaches Award – Aaron Rausch
- Girls Coaches Award – Ashley Joiner
- Boys Hurdles MVP – Tristin Creamer
- Girls Hurdles MVP – Tierra Floyd
- Girls Throws MVP – Annie Bobo
- Boys Throws MVP – Stetson Nash
- Girls Jumps MVP – Tierra Floyd
- Boys Jumps MVP – Jaran Myles
- Boys Long Distance MVP – Joshua Borelli
- Girls Long Distance MVP – Jazzlyn Franklin
- Boys Middle Distance MVP – Ramsey Gafford
- Girls Middle Distance MVP – Zacarra Davis
- Boys Sprint MVP – Neiko Robinson
- Girls Spint MVP – Angelique Brown
Team members that earned their letters and those that placed at the district competition were also recognized.
Pictured above and below: TNorthview High School track team members at the annual banquet Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Places in Battle Of The Books
May 15, 2013
The Second Annual Battle of the Books was held recently at Booker T. Washington High School. Winners included a team from Ransom Middle School in Cantonment.
The complete winners list was as follows:
3rd Grade
First Place – West Pensacola Elementary
Second Place – Bellview Elementary
Third Place – Hellen Caro Elementary
4th Grade
First Place – Blue Angels Elementary
Second Place – Warrington Elementary
Third Place – Holm Elementary
5th Grade
First Place – Hellen Caro Elementary
Second Place – Oakcrest Elementary
Third Place – McArthur Elementary
Middle School
First Place – Brown Barge Middle “C”
Second Place – Workman Middle “B”
Third Place – Ransom Middle “B”