Former Century Correctional Sergeant Pleads Guilty To Federal Child Porn Charges
July 28, 2009
A former Century Correctional Institution sergeant has pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges.
Paul Edward Black, 42, of Century, entered the guilty plea in federal court. He now faces a term of up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release when he appears for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Casey Rogers in October.
In February, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department began an Internet undercover operation to identify persons using the Gnutellla peer to peer file sharing network to share child pornography. An IP, or computer address, came up repeatedly in Escambia County as possessing known images of child pornography. Subpoenas revealed that this IP address was Black’s residence, according to court documents. The ESCO executed a search warrant at his residence on March 20, 2009.
Deputies seized a laptop computer, desktop computer and 56 CD’s from his residence while he was at work at the Century Correctional facility. When sheriff’s deputies later interviewed Black at CCI, he admitted to searching the Internet for child pornography, according to federal court documents, and admitted to specific search terms that he used such as “teen”, “lolita”, “PTHC” and “Bambina”.
“A forensic review of his electronic media located images and videos of child pornography on his laptop and desktop,” federal court documents signed by Black state. “A review of the compact disks (CD’s) revealed the same.”
Black’s plea agreement does not specify what his sentence might be. Prior to his plea, he was scheduled for trial on August 3.
Black had been employed as a sergeant at the Century Correctional Institution until his arrest and subsequent termination. Florida Department of Corrections Spokesperson Gretl Plessinger said Black had been employed at CCI since March 22, 1991. He was arrested about noon on June 17 while at work.
This investigation initiated by the Computer Crime Unit of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was supported by the Pensacola Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other members of the North Florida Child Pornography Task Force. The case was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
Walnut Hill Sheriff’s Precinct Still Open On Tuesdays
July 28, 2009
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department substation in Walnut Hill will be open today
For the first time since before it was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department substation in Walnut Hill was reopened July 7 with regular office hours.
“It was a slow day,” said Danny Collins, a reserve deputy that manned the office on July 7. “I think it will begin to get a lot busier after it has been open for a little while.”
Collins said that just one person stopped by to file a complaint, and one other person called. That made for a long day for Collins, who retired from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department in 2003 after 31 years of service.
“But I don’t mind being here; I’m glad to see this office open again,” he said. Collins and one other reserve deputy, Jimmy Kirkland, will alternate the duty of the keeping the Walnut Hill substation open on Tuesdays.
The Walnut Hill “Precinct 7″ fis open on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. under the supervision of Lt. Carl Jones from the Century Precinct.
Jones said the precinct provides the Walnut Hill Community with easy access to the Sheriff’s Department. Residents are able to file a report, or just stop by and express concerns about issues in their community, he said.
“It will really make it easier for people in this community to have access to the department,” Jones said. “A lot of times people want to talk about what is going on in their neighborhood.”
Sheriff David Morgan told NorthEscambia.com when he was elected last fall that reopening the precinct was one of his North Escambia priorities. He said the precinct is open on a “test basis” to determine if there will be enough walk-in traffic to justify keeping it open.
The building that housed the Walnut Hill Precinct 7 was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan back in 2004. Since it was rebuilt, it had not been open to the public. Deputies occasionally usef the office space or restrooms in the building, otherwise the Sheriff’s Department space in the building was unused.
The Walnut Hill Precinct is located at 7850 Highway 97 in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center. During the Tuesday office hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the office can be reached by phone at (850) 327-4974.
Picturd top: Escambia County Reserve Deputy Danny Collins mans the phone at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Walnut Hill Substation on July 7. Pictured inset: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Walnut Hill substation is open on Tuesdays. It had been closed since the building was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Is Pamela Long Wiggins Married To Two Men?
July 28, 2009
Court records and documents obtained by NorthEscambia.com indicate that Pamela Long Wiggins, 47, may be married to two men.
Wiggins, who is charged as an accessory after the fact in connection with the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings, was married in December 31, 2008, to Hugh Gregory Wiggins, 48, by a court clerk in Shalimar, Florida. That marriage license, as first reported by NorthEscambia.com on July 16, was witnessed by murder suspect Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. and his wife Tabitha C. Gonzalez. (License is pictured below, click to enlarge.)
But court records in Escambia County indicate that her divorce from her previous husband is not complete.
Under the name Pamela Long Malden, she filed for divorce from James Colburn Malden, 68, on January 29, 2008. Escambia County court records indicate that the case is still open.
EXCLUSIVE: Behind The Scenes Of The Billings Case With Sheriff David Morgan
July 27, 2009
It was a chance meeting in the lobby of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department on July 10, the day after the murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings, that Sheriff David Morgan won’t forgot.
He does not use the lobby of the building often; on that day he just happened to be there when Ashley Markham, the Billings’ daughter, was being led inside to talk to investigators.
NorthEscambia.com sat down with Sheriff David Morgan Friday afternoon at his office for an exclusive interview to learn more about what the days since the Billings murders have been like for him personally.
Humdinger. Twinkies. Beanie Babies and Bubblegum
The sheriff that was such a commanding presence with terms like “humdinger,” “beanie babies and bubblegum” on the national television networks, Larry King, Anderson Cooper, Good Morning America — the list just goes on and on — was at a loss for words meeting Ashely Markham in his department’s lobby.
“You just feel so helpless,” Morgan told NorthEscambia.com in an exclusive interview. “There’s really not a lot you can say that can ease the pain, the mourning…the grieving.”
“I did not really know what to say to her,” he said, “other than to say ‘is there anything I can do?’.”
“Find the people that did this,” Morgan said Ashely Markham replied.
Four days later, on July 14, Ashley Markham was at the sheriff’s department for a press conference. She knew that Morgan was about to announce some good news, but that’s all she knew.
The next time Morgan and Markham would see each other, they were on every major television network in the country and many others around the world. She stood by Morgan’s side with her husband Blue, unaware of what the sheriff was about to say.
At the press conference Morgan recounted that lobby meeting, as tears built in Markham’s eyes.
“We have found them, and they are in custody,” Morgan said at that press conference. The sheriff hugged and comforted her, then turned back to his press conference. She put her face into her hands and cried as he announced that seven people were in custody for the murder of her parents.
“That press conference was for them, not for anybody else,” Morgan told NorthEscambia.com.
The Phone Call
It was a short time after the initial deputies were called to the Billings’ home in Beulah. Morgan was at home with his wife Susan; they had just finished dinner. It would be the last ordinary dinner the first term sheriff and his wife would enjoy together for weeks.
The phone rang. Morgan was told about the murders, and about the large number of children in the home.
“My first reaction was to drive out there, because of all of the children,” he said. “It tugs at your heart. But we had a lot of capable, competent people from the sheriff’s department out there. The best thing I could do was ask them what they needed from me and let them do their jobs.”
The Longest Days
Since the murder, the sheriff said he’s been working many 17-18 hour days, but is quick to point out that many of his investigators have pulled longer hours. In fact, he said he’s left his office many times at 1:30 to 3 a.m., his investigators still at work from the day before. The overnights were often spent doing regular sheriff’s department business, like the folder called the “Sheriff’s Signature” folder full of papers that he had to sign daily. He was running on as little as two hours sleep when he would arrive back at the department’s administration building as early as 4 a.m. to do the morning shows like Good Morning America and the Today Show.
“I would walk the circuit of satellite trucks,” he said, “ABC first then all the way down the line to CNN and MSNBC. It was grueling.”
International News
“I was oblivious to all that,” he said of the worldwide television coverage of the press conferences he was doing in the days early after the murders. “We were just soldiering on.”
In the beginning, he thought the press conferences were being carried just locally, and he was doing them to update the local community on the case and reassure our area that they were safe — even though killers were on the loose.
“It was my job. It really wasn’t a big deal,” he said. “I’m ultimately responsible, and I felt as sheriff a horrendous need to reassure the community.”
He said working with all of the media, with perhaps the rare exception of a tabloid or two, was pleasurable — and effective.
Thanks to the media, the community’s eyes were on the lookout for that red van believed to have been used in the crimes.
“If I lived another 100 years, I would probably never see that again,” he said of the media’s cooperation during the Billings case. “We agreed on this one thing — capture these folks.”
The Feds
Some of the media swirled with rumors that several federal agencies had become involved in the case for one reason or another.
Morgan said that he did turn to outside agencies to assist in the investigation, in the interest of time. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the FBI provided assistance early. From crime lab to ballistics testings, it was all about fast turn around, he said. The FBI provided help with fingerprint analysis and video enhancement. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) provided lab testing.
The outside agency services were all things that the Escambia Sheriff’s Department can do in their modern facilities. But with the number of suspects and the large number of items to be processed from the crime scene, Morgan felt early that using those outside agencies would serve them well to get results as fast as possible. He was right.
“It was my job as sheriff to ensure that the process moved along,” he said.
Steal The Moments
The sheriff’s wife Susan attended at least two of the press conferences, rare moments where she was able to see her husband over the past weeks.
“We’ve just had to steal the moments that we can,” the sheriff said. “There’s been no schedule for sleep or meals. There’s been no quality time, no anytime for us.” They did steal time for dinner together one night — at midnight.
Susan has, like any good wife, been his biggest critic. “You speak too fast, looked the wrong way, stop it with all the metaphors; she’s been very supportive.”
Morgan had hoped to get home early this past Friday afternoon so the couple could have dinner together. Our NorthEscambia.com exclusive interview was to be his only interview for the afternoon at 1:30 Friday, but it was bumped to 2:30 so he could meet with the State Attorney’s office on late breaking developments in the case. We noticed him steal a few glances from behind his desk at the clock on the wall by about 3:30.
But when he was done with our interview, it was not going to be time to go home. People Magazine had called and left a message with his secretary while we had waited to go in and see him. They were still waiting for a callback.
We learned at the end of our interview that another person of interest in the case was in the building, and the sheriff was to meet with his investigators as soon as our interview was done.
Dinner would have to wait.
Credit Where Credit Was Due
Morgan frequently credited his investigators, officers and support staff during our interview for their help in the Billings case. But there’s more.
“I prayed to God everyday that He would give us the ability to do our best because so many people depend on us everyday to stay the course and make the right decisions,” Morgan said. “I prayed that God would be good enough to give me the wisdom of Solomon and the patience of Job.”
In the Old Testament, Job was a God-fearing man that suffers great trial after great trial that leave him without his belongings, his children or his health. Despite the great trials, he remains patient and faithful to God and is finally rewarded by the Lord. Solomon was the wise king of Israel that had to decide to which of two mothers a child belonged. So he ordered a sword to cut the child in half, knowing that the real mother would be willing to give her child up rather than see it die.
“The credit (for the work in the case) needs to be spread around, and it needs to go to Him.”
Morgan office photos by NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Press conference photos courtesy WEAR TV 3, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Fall 22 Cents In A Month
July 27, 2009
Gas prices are continuing to fall across the area, with the average price in Escambia County down 22 cents over the past month.
The average price per gallon of regular unleaded in Escambia County was $2.40 Sunday, down from $2.62 a month ago. A year ago, that gallon of gas was averaging $3.91, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report.
The cheapest gas in the Pensacola area was at the Blue Angel Parkway Tom Thumb Sunday night at $2.32, a full eight cents below the county average.
Industry analysts say that the rate of decline is slowing.
Solutia Annual Reunion Is August 5
July 27, 2009
The Chemstrand/Monsanto/Solutia Annual Reunion will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. August 15 at the Tate High School cafeteria. The menu will be smoked chicken, fried fish and pulled pork with all the trimmings, including dessert and drinks.
Because of a donation by Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union, the cost is $6 per person, organizers said.
The deadline for reservations is Aug. 1. Checks should be made out to Sherry Smith, 2656 Broome Circle, Cantonment, FL 32533.
For more information, call Sherry Smith at (850) 478-3638 or Seldon Pierce at 968-9344.
Mallory Mullis Named Escambia (Ala) Junior Miss
July 27, 2009
Mallory Brooks Mullis was named the 2010 Escambia County (Ala.) Junior Miss this weekend.
Ashleigh Elizabeth Ward was named First Alternate, and Allie Lanora Rush was named Second Alternate.
For a photo gallery of all of the participants in the 2010 Escambia County (Ala.) Junior Miss program, click here.
Mallory Brooks Mullis (pictured above, center) is the daughter of Debra and Ron Mullis and attends T.R. Miller High School. She is Secretary General of the South Alabama Model United Nations, a member of the Math Club, a cheerleader co-captain, participated in Relay for Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Kaleidoscope Editing Team, Pep Club, Spanish Club, tennis team, softball team, volleyball team, National Honor Society, and the Rural Health Scholars program. She is in the top 10 in her class, student government president for 2009-2010, student government treasurer in 2008-2009, freshman class treasurer, sophomore class representative, all state band participant, honor band participant, solo and ensemble superior ratings and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
Ashleigh Elizabeth Ward (pictured above, left) is the daughter of Don and Cindy Ward and attends T.R. Miller High School. She is a member of the First Baptist Church Youth Mentor and Small Groups, majorette and color guard of the T.R. Miller Band, yearbook staff, Pep Club, Spanish Club, Kaleidoscope staff, FCCLA, National Honor Society, top ten in class, SGA class representative, first chair second clarinet in the band, district honor band, Most Valuable Play in band, and a humane society volunteer.
Allie Lanora Rush (pictured above, right) is the daughter of Dru and Connie Rush and attends Cornerstone Christian School. She is a member of the Piano Audition for the Top Program, Blount Slawson Young Artist Piano Audition, Page for Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr for two years, National Piano Guild, lifeguard and swim instructor at the YMCA, church praise band, President Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, 4-H Club, Church of God Teen Talent Regional winner in piano and drama, 4-H regional and state photography winner.
Pictured above: 2010 Escambia County (Ala.) Junior Miss Mallory Brooks Mullis (center), First Alternate Ashleigh Elizabeth Ward (left) and Second Alternate Allie Lanora Rush (right). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Both North Escambia Teams Fall Short Of State Softball Championships
July 27, 2009
Both North Escambia teams playing in state softball tournament games fell short this weekend.
Both Tri-County and Northwest Escambia remained alive in their respective tournaments after Saturday play, but both suffered losses in Sunday semifinals.
Tri-County All Stars
The 10-11 year old Tri-County All-Stars won their first game in the state tournament Saturday morning near Orlando, but fell short in their second game in the afternoon.
Tri-County beat Mt. Dora 10-2 in a Saturday morning game. Saturday afternoon, Tri-County lost 9-4 to South Tampa.
Sunday morning, Tri-County lost a semifinal game to Land-o_Lakes, 10-0.
The tournament was in Windermere, Florida, just outside Orlando.
Northwest Escambia All Stars
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars have dropped two in the 11-12 Year Old State Tournament in Coconut Creek, Fla., just north of Fort Lauderdale.
NWE lost their first weekend game to Mims from Cape Canaveral 12-3 in six innings. Saturday morning, NWE lost to Windermere 10-3.
Northwest Escambia lost 8-0 to South Tampa on Sunday, ending their state championship hopes.
Pictured above: The NWE 10-11 Year Old All-Stars. Pictured below: The 10-11 Year Old Tri-County All-Stars. File photos, click to enlarge.
Trees Reported Down In Escambia, Ala; Power Outages Across The Area
July 26, 2009
Several trees were reported to have been downed in Escambia County, Ala. and numerous residents were left without power as strong storms moved across the area Sunday afternoon.
Several trees were reported to be blocking Jordan Landing Road near Pollard following the storm, preventing people from leaving the area at the end of the roadway. A tree was also reported to be down across power lines on McBride Circle. The trees were quickly removed by the Friendship Volunteer Fire Department.
Scattered power outages were reported across northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties after Sunday’s storms.
The storms began near Nokomis in the northwestern corner of Escambia County and marched southward and expanded through Walnut Hill, Bratt, McDavid and Molino before moving into Santa Rosa County near Chumuckla. Multiple severe thunderstorms warnings were issued on the storms, advising of winds up to 60 mph and penny size hail.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or property damage.
Mixed Day For Two Local Softball Teams In State Tournaments
July 26, 2009
Saturday was a mixed day for two local teams competing for state softball championships. Both Tri-County and Northwest Escambia remained alive in their respective tournaments after Saturday play, but both has losses.
Going into Sunday games, Tri-County is 1-1 in state tournament play, and Northwest Escambia is 0-2.
Tri-County All Stars
The 10-11 year old Tri-County All-Stars won their first game in the state tournament Saturday morning near Orlando, but fell short in their second game in the afternoon.
Tri-County beat Mt. Dora 10-2 in a Saturday morning game. Saturday afternoon, Tri-County lost to South Tampa 9-4.
They will play Sunday in a semifinal game as second seed in their pool. Tri-County will take on Land-o-Lakes at 10 (EDT) Sunday morning.
The tournament is in Windermere, Florida, just outside Orlando.
Northwest Escambia All Stars
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars have dropped two in the 11-12 Year Old State Tournament in Coconut Creek, Fla., just north of Fort Lauderdale.
NWE lost their first weekend game to Mims from Cape Canaveral 12-3 in six innings. Saturday morning, NWE lost to Windermere 10-3.
Northwest Escambia will take the field again Sunday against South Tampa.
Pictured above: The NWE 10-11 Year Old All-Stars. Pictured below: The 10-11 Year Old Tri-County All-Stars. File photos, click to enlarge.