Six Area Residents Arrested On State Drug Charges, Meth Lab Found
February 24, 2011
Six Molino and Cantonment residents were arrested Tuesday on multiple drug charges. Two of those arrested were charged in connection with a meth lab found on Molino Road.
The six arrests on state charges were in addition to a dozen arrests on federal charges as federal, state and local law enforcement conducted “Operation Blister Pack” Tuesday. For information about the federal arrests, click here.
Molino Road Meth Lab
Sheldon Dewayne Flowers, 28, of Molino Road, Molino was charged with trafficking methamphetamine more than 200 grams, possession of methamphetamine, manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a listed chemical, He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $650,500.
Stephanie Flowers, 27, of Molino Road, Molino, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $5,500.
Tuesday morning, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit discovered a meth laboratory inside a home at 484 Molino Road. According to their report, deputies found methamphetamine, numerous items used in the manufacture of meth and a stolen Rug Doctor cleaning machine.
Deputies discovered a mason jar containing enough methamphetamine liquid to produce well over 200 grams of meth, along with a large “one pot” meth lab.
For more exclusive NorthEscambia.com photos from the alleged Molino meth lab, click here.
Traffic Stop Finds Meth
John David Godwin, 24, of Williams Ditch Road, Cantonment, was charged with producing methamphetamine, trafficking in methamphetamine over 14 grams, possession of listed chemical, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Escambia County investigators said Godwin was found in possession of meth and the meth-making items following a traffic stop January 6, 2011, near Well Line Road and Lakeview Road in Cantonment. He remained jailed with bond set at $37,000.
Possession Of A Listed Chemical
Michael David Archer, 33, of Lakeview Avenue, Cantonment, was charged with 13 counts of possession of a listed chemical for purchasing excessive amounts of pseudoephedrine at various stores and pharmacies in Pensacola between June 2009 and November 2010. He remained in jail with bond set at $13,000.
Kellie Lyn Odom, 33, of Duxbury Avenue, Molino, was charged with 22 counts of possession of a listed chemical for purchasing excessive amounts of pseudoephedrine at various stores and pharmacies in Pensacola between June 2009 and September 2010. She was released on $22,000 bond.
Ronnie Orbin Lambeth, 62, of Eden Lane, Cantonment, was charged with seven counts of possession of a listed chemical for purchasing excessive amounts of pseudoephedrine at various stores and pharmacies in Pensacola between August 2009 and October 2010. He was released on $7,000 bond.
Pictured inset: An alleged meth lab was located Tuesday morning at this home at 484 Molino Road. Pictured below: Alleged liquid meth was found in the Mason jar below. Investigators transferred the liquid into the smaller plastic bottle for evidence. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
12 Indicted On Federal Drug Charges; Most From North Escambia
February 24, 2011
A federal indictment has been returned charged 12 people with conspiring to obtain pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine. Most were residents of Molino or Cantonment.
The federal indictment charges that the suspects were involved in a conspiracy to possess and distribute pseudoephedrine for use in manufacturing methamphetamine.
Those arrested in the federal operation dubbed “Operation Blister Pack” were:
- James Brown, 45, of Molino Road, Molino
- Tonya Foster, 36, of Vaughn Street, Cantonment
- Aaron Hendrickson, 36, of Hwy. 95A, Cantonment
- Rebecca Jernigan, 36, of Still Road, Century
- Patricia Love, 29, of Eastman Lane, Cantonment
- Raymond Love, 30, of Highway 29, Molino
- William Neal, 29, of Williams Ditch Road, Cantonment
- Terra Palmer, 34, of Daylily Road, Cantonment
- Matthew Ramsey, 38, of Duxbury Avenue, Molino
- William Robbins, 23, of Duxbury Avenue, Molino
- Nicholas Scott, 31, of Rumford Road, Molino
- Terry Wolfe, 47, of Robertsdale, Ala.
Ramsey and Wolfe are also charged with conspiring to manufacture the methamphetamine itself. In addition to the federal indictment, state drug charges were filed yesterday against other individuals alleged to have been involved in the organization.
The 12 arrests on federal charges were in addition to a half dozen arrests on state level charges as federal, state and local law enforcement conducted “Operation Blister Pack” Tuesday. For information about the arrests on state charges, click here.
Following their arrests, the federal defendants began to make their initial appearances Wedneday before United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy. A trial date will be set in the near future.
Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Ramsey and Wolfe, who face the additional charge of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, face up to life in prison
upon conviction.
This case results from a long-term investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
Alabama’s Gov. Issued Moratorium On Landfill Permits
February 24, 2011
Alabama’s governor signed a moratorium on new landfills in the state Wednesday, potentially making it more difficult for a new 5,100 landfill to locate upstream from North Escambia.
Representatives from Citizens for a Clean Southwest Alabama praised the executive order as they fight an application for the mega-landfill Conecuh Woods planned for near Repton, Alabama.
But a spokesperson for Conecuh Woods did not agree, saying that Bentley’s order does not impact their application before the Conecuh County Commission.
“The rural areas of Alabama are prime targets for the location of landfills and other solid waste management facilities to collect and manage volumes of solid waste in excess of that generated by their locales and regions, including solid waste from out of state,” Bentley’s order stated.
His order specified that even if a landfill is subject to local approval, it must also be approved by the state before a permit is issued. But until guidelines are created, no large landfills can be approved. Large landfills are described as those accepting more than 1,500 tons of waste per day or greater than 500 acres in size.
Many governments in South Alabama and Northwest Florida have spoken out in opposition to Conecuh Woods, including Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida, the Town of Century, Atmore and Flomaton.
Conecuh Woods’ landfill, would include a 1,600 acre “disposal cell” from Range to Repton to near the Big Escambia Creek. Big Escambia Creek flows southward into Escambia County, Alabama, through Flomaton and drains through a North Escambia swamp into the Escambia River and then Escambia Bay.
“Nobody knows more than we do that Florida’s rules on water quality are tougher than Alabama’s,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. “If it comes into our river, Florida is in trouble immediately.”
Pictured top: Repton, Alabama, Mayor Terri Carter addresses the Century Town Council Monday night in opposition to a proposed 5,100 acre landfill in Conecuh County, Alabama. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local Women Arrested On Drug Charges
February 24, 2011
Two women are facing several drug charges in Escambia County, Ala., after authorities located drugs and cash at a home near Flomaton after a month-long investigation.
Jodie D. Adams, 18, of McDavid and Jody Simmons, 24, of Flomaton, were each charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $10,000 each. Simmons was also charged with violation of probation.
The 21st Judicial Drug Task Force, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Brewton Police Department executed a search warrant in the 2000 block of Wolflog Road. Authorities said they located marijuana, cash, drug paraphernalia and prescription medications during the search.
Firefighters Battle Molino Woods Fire
February 24, 2011
Firefighters battled a woods fire in Molino Wednesday night.
The fire was reported about 6:30 in the 5800 block of Pilgrim Trail West (commonly called “the second” Pilgrim Trail West). No structures were damaged by the blaze. A resident was not at home as the fire burned near their home, but a neighbor was able to put out the fire closest to the brick home using a garden hose.
The two-acre fire was reported to be contained by about 7:30 p.m.
The Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Division of Forestry responded to the fire.
Pictured above: A woods fire burns Wednesday night on Pilgrim Trail West in Molino. Pictured below: A neighbor was able to use a garden hose to keep the fire away from this house before firefighters arrived. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
36th Annual Ruritan Auction This Weekend
February 24, 2011
The 36th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction will be held Saturday, and auction items are being accepted today.
The auction will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
The auction includes not only farm equipment, but also a second simultaneous auction with household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more. Sellers can register their items on Thursday or Friday, or prior to the start of the sale on on Saturday morning. Buyers can register prior to 9:30 on Saturday morning.
Concessions will be available all day from the Ruritan Club. For more information or consignments, call 327-4479 or 327-4318.
The sale will be located at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97 just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
Teacher Merit Pay Advances In Both Chambers
February 24, 2011
Key committees in both legislative chambers gave yes votes Thursday to a proposal to partially base teacher salaries on their students’ test scores, a proposal shot down last year after teachers around the state protested that the merit pay system would penalize them.
The measure (SB 736) and a companion House version, would grandfather in current teacher pay plans, but set up new, merit-based ones for teachers hired after July 1, 2014. The proposals also call for an evaluation process to be set up for teachers, but they don’t spell out the details, allowing the Commissioner of Education and local school districts to work out just how teachers would be evaluated.
The Senate Budget Committee voted Wednesday to send its version to the floor – with a technical stop at the Rules Committee to be put on the calendar. The House PreK-20 Competitiveness Committee, meanwhile also voted Wednesday to forward the proposal to its next committee stop. The House bill amended its measure to put it in line with the Senate bill, so both proposals are, for now, the same.
Unlike last year’s measure – SB 6 – the new version would allow the evaluation formula to consider students’ attendance, disciplinary records, disabilities and English proficiency when evaluating teachers for merit pay. It may not, however, set different expectations for students based on gender, race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status.
But a student’s home life, which would likely be affected by socioeconomic status, has remained a major sticking point for teachers in their opposition to the bill. Many have said that they see students who are dealing with serious problems at home, which takes their focus away from simple math and reading. Some teachers said they should not be penalized financially because their students on the testing day may have a major problem at home over which the teacher has no control.
Megan Allen, the 2010 Florida teacher of the Year, was among those who spoke out against the bill Thursday as both House and Senate committees debated the bill. Allen, who is her family’s bread winner while her husband goes back to school, said if the current proposal becomes law, she might consider leaving her Hillsborough County school, where more than 90 percent of the students receive free or reduced lunches. She said she is afraid her pay will suffer if a given class of students does not perform well because of problems outside of the classroom.
“It’s not taking into account many adult life struggles that high poverty students experience each day,” she said.
The bills would require districts to set up evaluation systems that rate teachers as “highly effective,” “effective,” “needs improvement” or “unsatisfactory.” Half of those evaluations would be based on test scores. They would also allow districts to permanently put new hires on one-year contracts instead of the long term agreements that are in place now, making it easier for administrators to fire teachers.
The proposal has been backed by some high profile and politically powerful groups, namely the Florida Chamber of Commerce and former Gov. Jeb Bush’s education advocacy group, the Foundation for Florida’s Future. It has also gained traction in select pockets of teachers around the state.
“It will create a system that focuses on what matters most: Education,” said Savannah Nielson, a middle school teacher from Miami, during the Senate Budget Committee meeting.
The Florida Education Association, the statewide teachers’ union, has been milder in its opposition to these proposals compared to last spring, when it reacted to the bill by encouraging members to flood lawmakers offices with e-mails, letters and phone calls. But it does seem to be ramping up efforts to fight the bill as it progresses through the Legislature.
Former Gov. Charlie Crist ultimately vetoed the bill last year, citing concerns of fairness to teachers. Prior to the veto, his office said he received 65,259 phone calls and e-mails in opposition and 3,090 in support, with thousands more left uncategorized.
The bill now appears poised for easy passage though, with Gov. Rick Scott pledging his support to merit pay legislation and both House Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos making it a top priority.
Haridopolos told reporters following the Senate vote that he was pleased that the measure was progressing, while acknowledging that some educators still opposed the bill.
“There are some people that are still not happy with the bill, but you know, you’re making a change,” he said. “There’s going to be some of that status quo interrupted.”
By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service Florida
Insurance Company Settles Up For $190K In Sewage Station Wreck
February 24, 2011
The Town of Century has received a six figure insurance settlement check for a December 20 wreck that damaged a sewage lift station and electric generator on Highway 29 near Jackson Street.
The Great Western Casualty Company settled with the town for $190,250.51. That’s “every penny” of the town’s cost for repairs, according to Mayor Freddie McCall.
The truck driver, Freddie Pelzer, 67, of Douglasville, Georgia, was not injured in the crash. He was charged with careless driving by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured: A Town of Century sewage lift station and generator were damaged in this December 20 crash on Highway 29 near Jackson Street. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Guilty Of Murder; Another Man Indicted For Murder
February 24, 2011
An Escambia County man was convicted Wednesday of murdering his landlord last year, while another man was indicted on murder charges in a separate case for shooting a man as he sat in his car.
Murder Conviction
Donald Verne was found guilty of second degree murder with a weapon for killing of his landlord, Peter Delmonico. Verne faces life in prison and will be sentenced before Judge Nicholas Geeker on March 23.
On July 29, 2010, DVerne brutally attacked Peter Delmonico with a 2×4 board. Verne struck his victim multiple times in the back of the head with such force it mimicked that of injuries found in car crashes, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. Delmonico suffered multiple skull fractures and severe brain injury from which he was unable to recover and he died at Baptist Hospital on August 3, 2010.
Murder Indictment
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced Wednesday that an Escambia County Grand Jury returned a one count indictment against Cameron Tyler Cherry for a murder which occurred December 14, 2010.
Cherry was indicted for first degree murder for the shooting death of Robert Witherspoon, II, who suffered a single gunshot to the head while seated in his car on Mary Lane.
Cherry is scheduled for arraignment March 3 and remains incarcerated under no bond.
The investigation remains ongoing and is being conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Investigator Buddy Neesmith at (850) 436-9600.
‘Golden Cow Dung Award’ Presented To Ernest Ward Teacher’s Assistant
February 24, 2011
Ernest Ward Middle School teacher’s assistant Lindsey Kelley received the third annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA. The award presented Wednesday afternoon featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color.
(Cow dung, in case you did not know, is what you are probably thinking it is. It’s that natural byproduct that cows drop in the field. The award is 100 percent real dung spray painted a golden color.)
Kelley received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA. The same Golden Cow Dung Award was presented last year to Family & Consumer Science teacher Kathy Ellis and two years ago to Principal Nancy Perry.
More than half a million members around the nation are participating in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels this week.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School FFA Gold Cow Dung Award presentation with Madison McGhee, photographer; Allison Woodfin, treasurer; Haley Brown, secretary; award-winner Lindsey Kelley; Addy Lee, parliamentarian; Tiffani Cruce, president; Penny Banda, FFA member; Bethany Reynolds, sentinel; FFA Sponsor Cynthia Wilson, Haylee Weaver, reporter; and Miranda Vidak, historian. Pictured inset: Kelley inspects her award. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.