Century Man Charged With Burglary, Copper Theft At Town Building
March 5, 2013
A Century man has been charged in connection with a burglary and copper theft at vacant town-owned industrial building in Century.
Jonathan Devon Andrews, 29, was charged with felony burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief with property damage. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $8,500.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Andrews burglarized the former Van Nevel Helicopters building on Industrial Boulevard in Century in late January. He forcibly removed sections of industrial size copper tubing from eight outdoor air conditioning condensing units, according to an arrest report, and removed a garbage can from the building that contained three paint gun spray heads. The air conditioning units were not opened or damaged.
The property removed by Andrews and damage caused by its removal was estimated to be $6,500, the report states.
According to investigators, Andrews was positively identified as the suspect by a fingerprint removed from broken glass where entry was made into the front of the building.
Also in late January, someone stole copper from 10 of 14 units at the Town of Century’s Habitat Building on Pond Street. Andrews has not been a named a suspect in that theft. Anyone with information on the Habitat burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The copper thefts hit Century’s budget hard, with $23,349 in repairs not covered by insurance, according to Mayor Freddie McCall.
Pictured: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a fingerprint belonging to Jonathan Devon Andrews was positively identified on glass broken during a burglary at the town-owned Van Nevel Helicopter building in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Minimum Mandatory Sentences For People With RX Drugs Debated
March 5, 2013
The state’s drug laws allow painkiller addicts to be charged as dealers and sent away for long sentences for possession of amounts of drugs that are common for people battling addiction – though not necessarily selling – say backers of a proposed change to the sentencing law.
A bill to give judges more discretion in cases where people are charged with trafficking was approved Monday in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
Supporters of the measure say people with a relatively small amount of prescription painkillers – less than many addicts say they take in a day – can be charged with trafficking.
Opponents, including police and prosecutors, say painkiller abuse has become the main drug problem police are fighting and urged lawmakers not to get rid of tough sentences. They argue that prosecutors have the discretion to decide to charge true addicts who aren’t involved in dealing with simple possession.
But often, prosecutors don’t do that, argued Sarasota defense attorney Derek Byrd.
“I’ve got a lot of clients sitting in prison right now who had 15 pills,” Byrd told the panel. “It’s just not fair…. We are netting people who are not traffickers.”
The measure sponsored by Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, would allow judges to depart from minimum mandatory terms in some cases involving first time offenders. It was approved by the committee 6-1 with Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, the lone “no” vote.
By The News Service of Florida
Third Suspect Arrested In Attempted Homicide
March 5, 2013
The third suspect in an attempted homicide that occurred in 2012 was arrested Sunday.
Kenneth Weathers, 22, of 1013 North L St., Pensacola, was taken into custody Sunday afternoon by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies.
Weathers was wanted on an outstanding Pensacola Police Department warrant for attempted homicide and firing into an occupied vehicle for an incident that occurred September 17, 2012, at Tarragona and Hernandez streets. In that incident, a 20-year-old male was sitting in a car when he was shot.
An officer on patrol near Tarragona and Hernandez streets heard the gun shots, responded to the area and saw a truck leave the area at a high rate of speed. Officers followed the truck and arrested two males – Ulysses Samuel Jr., 34, of the 700 block of Fowler Avenue, Pensacola and Aquarius Devaughn, 17, of the 2500 block of North Seventh Avenue, Pensacola.
Both were charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. In addition to the arrests, officers also recovered three guns from the truck.
Detective Justin Roedel said the victim was shot during a disturbance. Roedel said multiple suspects shot into the vehicle.
The Gun Crime Task Force was activated for the investigation, and additional arrests are pending as the investigation continues, Roedel said.
On Sunday, deputies saw a vehicle fail to completely stop at a stop sign at Roosevelt and Crescent drives and followed it. The vehicle pulled into a driveway in the 200 block of Crescent
Drive. Weathers was driving the car; the other two occupants got out and ran but also were captured. All suspects were arrested on drug charges by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Two Indicted In Christmas Eve Kidnapping, Murder
March 5, 2013
Two men have been indicted for murder for a Christmas Eve kidnapping and murder.
An Escambia County grand jury indicted Deavis Saulsberry and Trevon Nelson for first degree felony murder, armed burglary, five counts of false imprisonment and one count of grand theft auto in the death of Torrance Hackworth.
Torrance Hackworth was kidnapped from his home on Christmas Eve morning 2012. The car used in his kidnapping was found submerged at the Sanders Beach boat ramp later that morning. Hackworth’s body was found two days later in a vacant lot.
Two Time Super Bowl Champ Inspires Chiefs At Annual Football Banquet
March 5, 2013
Two-time Super Bowl champion Anthony Pleasant spoke words of inspiration to the state champion Northview Chiefs Monday night during their annual football banquet.
Champions are special, Pleasant told the young men, and champions should work to fulfill the role. “You guys are champs,” he told the Chiefs, “You have won the state championship, conduct yourselves as champions.”
Acting like a champion means respecting authority, the Century native said, “because you can’t get there if you do not respect authority.”
Pleasant said relationships are key in life, and bridges should never be burned. A team, the Super Bowl champ said, is a group of unselfish players that do not look out only for their own interests, but for those of their teammates.”
Pleasant encouraged the Chiefs players to pursue their dreams, whether or not those dreams include football.
“Not everyone will be a professional ball player, but whatever your passion – follow it, pursue your passion.”
Pleasant is a former pro football player selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 year NFL career, Pleasant played for the Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. He played a total of 202 NFL games and racked up 58 sacks and two interceptions. The 1986 Century High School graduate earned two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots.
Pictured: Two time Super Bowl champ Anthony Pleasant addresses the Northview Chiefs during their annual football banquet Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Kyles, Woods, Sign Football Scholarships
March 5, 2013
Two members of the Northview High School state champion football team inked scholarship Monday afternoon to play for Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Running back LaMikal Kyles and linebacker Roderick Woods, Jr. are headed to Booneville, MS, in the fall. The second cousins were four-year starters for the Northview Chiefs, playing under Sid Wheatley since his first season as head coach
Kyles had about two dozen touchdowns and over 1,300 rushing yards his senior season, while Woods accumulated almost 90 tackles in his seven-game season.
Pictured top: Roderick Woods (left) and LaMikal Kyles inked scholarships Monday afternoon with Northeast Mississippi Community College. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Seek Answers on Okaloosa Tourist Development Scandal
March 5, 2013
Lawmakers on Monday voiced their displeasure that Okaloosa County Commissioner Don Amunds advised several local Tourist Development Council members that by resigning they could possibly skip out of a subpoenaed appearance before the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee.
However, no action is expected this session against any local official from legislators as the state continues to await an audit into how the county’s late tourist development leader, Mark Bellinger, siphoned bed tax and BP oil-spill compensation money into a posh $747,000 home in Destin, a 40-foot Marquis yacht worth $710,000, a Porsche and other personal items.
Amunds told the committee he was only trying to help “keep them from getting drug through the mud.”
Three of the tourist council members who did resign still appeared Monday.
TDC Chairman-elect Warren Gourley said the perception from county officials is that the BP fraud scandal, along with the other local problems involving elected officials, are being used by state lawmakers from the area to control the oil spill restoration money and “give the county a bad name.”
“If I was a legislator I’d be embarrassed by my county. I’m embarrassed by my county,” said Gourley, who rejected the request to resign.
Bellinger killed himself after his spending became public last May.
The scheme is also under investigation by the FBI, Attorney General’s Office and local law enforcement.
According to marketing officials in Okaloosa County, Bellinger would send money to agencies that worked with the county and then have the firm wire the money to a bank account.
In one instance, while the county was scrambling for ideas to draw tourists in the wake of the BP oil spill, Bellinger purchased a Porsche and convinced a marketing agency that it was part of a promotional campaign. He got the agency to pay for the car and bill the county.
By The News Service of Florida
Volunteer Firefighters Undergo Hands On LifeFlight Training
March 5, 2013
Volunteer firefighters from three North Escambia fire stations participated in a LifeFlight training class Monday night at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97. A LifeFlight crew gave the participants from the Walnut Hill, Molino and Cantonment fire stations a tour of the aircraft, plus instruction on how to handle emergencies involving the helicopter, how setup a landing zone and how patients are loaded.
Pictured top and inset: A LifeFlight training class Monday night at the Walnut Hill Fire Station. Picture below: Flight nurse Norman Lacsamana discusses patient care and loading. Pictured bottom: Firefighters from Walnut Hill, Molino and Cantonment took part in the class. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bill Would Require Warrant For Cell Phone Searches
March 5, 2013
Police would need court approval to seize pictures, text messages or other material on cell phones or other personal electronic devices under a bill approved Monday by a Senate committee over the objection of police and prosecutors.
“It’s very important that we secure information that I believe is private,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jeff Brandes, citing the proliferation of personal information that now is stored on people’s cells and tablets.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee approved the bill (SB 846) on a 5-2 vote, sending it next to the Judiciary Committee. It also needs approval from the Appropriations Committee before it can go to the floor. A House companion bill (HB 797) by Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, is awaiting its first committee hearing.
Currently, police can search the possessions – including the contents of a personal electronic device – of someone who is arrested. The bill would require a warrant except under certain circumstances, including scenarios related to national security and missing children.
The bill also would require police to get a court to sign off on informational tracking of an electronic device for investigative purposes.
Law enforcement officials noted that the question of search and seizure rules related to personal electronic devices are the subject of two cases pending before the Florida Supreme Court.
In Smallwood v. State, a cell phone search was upheld by the 1st District Court of Appeal, though it asked the state Supreme Court to weigh in. In Tracey v. State, the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled on real-time tracking of such devices, finding that people have no real expectation of privacy while driving around on the open road – but also acknowledged that the changing nature of technology for cell phone tracking begged for a higher court ruling on the issue.
The top lawyer at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said lawmakers should wait to avoid a situation where the new law might be at odds with a Supreme Court decision.
“We’ll be in a mess trying to figure out … what is the law,” said Michael Ramage, FDLE’s general counsel.
But Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, brushed off the idea of waiting for a court ruling. Courts, interpret the laws legislators write, he said.
“We are elected to make them,” said Brandes. “We’d be sending a strong message to all Floridians that this Legislature will stand up for the Fourth Amendment to the (U.S.) Constitution.”
Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, who was a prosecutor in the 1990s, and Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, a former sheriff, voted against the bill.
By David Royse, The News Service of Florida
Chiefs Set Two School Records In Baker Track Meet
March 5, 2013
Two school records were broken as the Northview High School track and field team took part in the first competition of the season at the Baker High School Track and Field Meet.
Azeen Grissett broke a 5-year old school record as he raced to a 57.99 second place finish in the 400 meters. Cameron Newsome leaped to a height of 5- feet 8- inches and broke a 3-year school record in the high jump.
Both the 4×800 meter relay team (Joshua Borelli, Ramsey Gafford, James Ates, Zachary Calloway), and the 4×100 meter relay team (Ty’Dre Bradley, Hunter Sherouse, Cameron Newsome, and Holden Moore) finished in third place. The throwers were led by freshman Austin Whitehead which hurled the shot put 33-feet, 11 inches.
Standout performances for the Chiefs were seen in the 100 meter race, where junior Holden Moore ran 11.78 seconds, Azeen Grissett in 12.25 seconds, Keondrae Lett in 12.46 and Ty’Dre Bradley in 13.68 seconds.
“I’m extremely proud to see two school records broken at the first track meet of the season,” said Aaron Thompson, head boys track coach. “I’m looking forward to the district championships next month, and having athletes qualify for the regional championships and compete in Jacksonville.”
On the girls side, Northview had a strong showing in the 100 meters by Hannah Fiellin, and Johna Carter. In the 100 meter hurdles, Tierra Floyd posted the fastest time for the Northview Chiefs as teammate Ashley Joiner finished right behind her. The Lady Chiefs captured a top 3 finish in the 4×800 meter relay, and also finished strong in the 4×100 meter relay which was anchored by Tierra Floyd.
The Northview Chiefs will compete next their next track meet of the season this afternoon at Jay High School.
Pictured top: Dy’Shun White competes in the 100 meter hurdles for the Chiefs. Pictured inset: Travell McWilliams in the high jump for Northview at a recent track and filed meet in Baker. Photos by Zach Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.