Four Police Vehicles Hit On Nine Mile, Convicted Felon Charged With Drug, Weapons Offenses
January 7, 2023
A man with 20 previous felony charges was arrested and another is wanted after four patrol cars were struck Thursday on Nine Mile Road.
The incident started when the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Marcus Flintroy was armed with multiple weapons in a white Volkswagen Passat.
Flintroy is a multi-time convicted felon with over 20 previous felony charges. Based on this verified information and other intelligence gathered, members of the ECSO Narcotics Unit, along with the Florida Highway Patrol, attempted to stop Flintroy at the RaceTrac at 701 West Nine Mile Road, near Lowes and Home Depot.
Flintroy had pulled up to a pump and was meeting with an unidentified black male who had also pulled up to the pump.
The unidentified male entered Marcus Flintroy’s vehicle, and neither attempted to pump gas. A marked FHP vehicle and several unmarked ECSO vehicles approached from different directions.
The unidentified male immediately exited Flintroy’s vehicle and ran to his own vehicle. Flintroy ignored the FHP lights. Deputies said he attempted to escape, pulled forward and into one of the ECSO unmarked vehicles. After contact, Flintroy pulled to the right, only to be blocked by another ECSO unmarked vehicle. His vehicle struck this second ECSO vehicle before he exited his vehicle and fled on foot. After a brief foot chase, he was caught and arrested.
Meanwhile, the other unidentified male who had returned to his vehicle struck a third ECSO vehicle and the FHP vehicle before fleeing the scene. He has yet to be identified and charged.
Inside Flintroy’s vehicle, deputies located a loaded and chambered AR pistol with a 30-round magazine and an additional loaded 30-round magazine. Deputies also found a Glock pistol with two extended magazines, 105 grams of fentanyl, a pill press, and an amount of crack cocaine.
Flintroy was charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, trafficking in fentanyl, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and attaching tag not assigned. He has no bond.
ECFR’s Yoshimi Core Named 2022 Florida’s Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year
January 7, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue Assistant District Fire Chief Yoshimi Core has been named the 2022 Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association.
“I’m honored to be named the 2022 Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year among all of the other great firefighters out there,” said Core. “There are so many more deserving firefighters than me that set the example, train their juniors and continue learning. At the end of the day, taking care of people will help more people to serve their communities and to help answer the call of volunteer service.”
Core began his career with Escambia County Fire Rescue in 2015, serving from the Beulah Fire Station. Prior to his career with the county, Chief Core joined the U.S. Navy as a firefighter in 1984, serving until his retirement in 2014. His time with the Navy included a three-year stint with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels as a Command Master Chief. Following his naval career, Chief Core worked as a financial advisor for First Command before choosing to follow his father-in-law’s advice to become a firefighter for Escambia County.
Since 2022, Chief Core has served as the assistant district fire chief for Escambia County Fire Rescue. Throughout his time with ECFR, he has consistently exhibited dedication and professionalism with his fellow firefighters.
“Chief Core has been instrumental in carrying out his duties as an assistant district chief, but he has also gone above and beyond in many circumstances,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “He has a strong military bearing from his past service with the U.S. Navy and brings that bearing and professionalism to ECFR. Chief Core has been a mentor to many volunteer members and has most recently been working with the training division to enhance training for the department’s volunteer personnel. We are fortunate to have Chief Core as a member of the department and look forward to many years of service to come.”
Chief Core will be honored on Wednesday, Jan. 18, during the opening ceremonies at Fire-Rescue EAST in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Pictured top: Volunteer firefighters Chris Kneziensk (pictured left) and Assistant District Chief Yoshimi Core deployed from the Beulah Fire Station in September to help with Hurricane Ian rescue and recovery. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured inset: Core’s official photo from Blue Angels.
Escambia Man Pleads Guilty In Purchasing Gun Used In Fitness Center Murder Of PSC Instructor
January 7, 2023
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to making a false false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer when purchasing a firearm used in a fatal shooting.
Tavaris East, 42, purchased a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer on April 27, 2022, “and checked the box ‘yes’ that he was ‘the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm’ on the ATF Form 4473,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody said East purchased the firearm for Kennon Farrow, a convicted felon. The firearm was recovered by law enforcement on May 24, 2022, after it was used by Kennon Farrow to commit a homicide. Farrow allegedly used the gun to fatally shoot his girlfriend, Pensacola State College instructor Carla Williams during a morning workout inside the Pensacola Fitness on North 9th Avenue.
East faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on March 30.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For 2021 Murder
January 7, 2023
An Escambia County man was sentenced Friday to life in prison for a 2021 murder.
Anthony Brown II, 22, was previously found guilty by a jury of the second degree murder or 42-year-old Clarence “Tom” Allard.
Brown shot Allard during an armed robbery, according to prosecutors. He was found with a gunshot wound outside his home on Garfield Drive
Escambia Man Wins $15 Million On Scratch-Off Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
January 7, 2023
An Escambia County man has claimed a $15 million scratch-off lottery prize from a ticket purchased on Nine Mile Road.
Bryan Allen, 50, bought the Florida Lottery Billion Dollar Gold Rush Supreme scratch-off ticket at Cumberland Farms, 1405 East Nine Mile Road at Jernigan Road. The retailer will receive a $30,000 bonus commission for selling the winning scratch-off ticket.
The $30 Billion Dollar Gold Rush Supreme scratch-off ticket game launched in February 2021 with four top prizes of $15 million and 24 prizes of $1 million.
Fire Burns At Atmore Sulfur Plant; Florida Residents Alerted
January 6, 2023
Firefighters are battled a fire for hours Friday at an Atmore sulfur plant.
A warehouse building at Tiger-Sul Products on Highway 31 just west of the Atmore Country Club collapsed in the fire The building is was not the main plant.
No railroad tanker cars were involved in the blaze, but reports from the scene were that sulfur was burning and hot sulfur was flowing downhill away from the fire.
There were no injuries reported.
Fire stations from the Atmore area responded, including Poarch Creek and Nokomis.
Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue responded with a hazardous materials team, and Escambia County, Florida, residents within five miles of the state line just south of the plant received an emergency alert via their cell phones about the fire. Florida residents were not advised to shelter in place at this time. Air monitoring equipment from Escambia County, Florida, was also used, and an ECFR hazardous materials response team staged at the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 in Davisville.
Highway 31 in Atmore has since reopened.
NorthEcambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Winner Collects $57K For Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Cantonment
January 6, 2023
We now know who purchased a winning Fantasy Five ticket in Cantonment just before Christmas.
The Florida Lottery says the ticket worth $51,638.17 in the December 23 drawing was claimed by James Donald Guilford of Cantonment. He bought the winning ticket at The Mill Bar and Package on Highway 29. Other winning tickets were sold in Orlando, Sanford and Ocala.
The 269 tickets matching four numbers won $123.50 each. Another 8,732 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10.50 each, and 88,006 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
The December 23 winning numbers were 4-15-23-24-29.
Escambia Receives Share Of $13 Million Auto Parts Price Fixing Settlement
January 6, 2023
Escambia County has received its share of Florida’s $13 million settlement in price fixing claims against major automotive parts manufacturers.
The county received $33,473.92 after the funds were divided between over 80 local governments affected by the companies’ practices.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said the funds came after an investigation of more than 60 manufacturers, including Hitachi, Panasonic and Mitsubishi Electric. The investigation into the companies’ conduct found evidence of the manufacturers fixing prices and rigging contract bids. As a result of the companies’ actions, public entities paid more for vehicles needed for public services, including police cruisers.
“These automotive parts manufacturers set high prices and rigged contract bids, causing local and our state governments to spend more for vehicles needed for essential public services, like police cruisers. I’m proud to announce the conclusion of our investigation into these companies’ conduct and secure more than $13 million for the entities around the state that were affected,” Moody said.
The investigation found evidence that the conduct of approximately 60 companies likely violated antitrust laws. The companies, including major suppliers of automotive parts, engaged in activities that increased the price of many items, including lamps, radiators, air conditioning systems and air bags. As a result of this conduct, Florida public entities paid more for the vehicles needed to perform necessary public services, like police cruisers.
According to Moody, companies investigated include: Aisan Industry Co., Aisin Seiki, Alpha Corporation, Alps, Autoliv, Bosch, Bridgestone Corp., Brose Schliebsysteme, Calsonic, Chiyoda, Continental, Corning International, Delphi, Denso, Diamond Electric, Eberspacher, Faurecia SA, Fujikura, Furukawa, G.S. Electech, Green Tokai, Hitachi, Hitachi Metals, Inoac, JTEKT Corp, Keihin, Kiekert AG, Koito Mfg, KYB, Lear, Leoni, MAHLE Behr GmbH, Maruyasu Industries Co., Meritor, Mikuni, Mitsuba Corp, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Ind., Nachi-Fujikoshi, NGK Insulators, NGK Spark Plug, Nippon Seiki, Nishikawa Rubber, NSK Ltd., NTN, Omron, Panasonic Corp., Sanden, Sanoh Industrial Co., Schaeffler, Showa Corp, SKF, Stanley Electric, Sumitomo, Sumitomo Riko, T.Rad, Tenneco, Tokai Rika Co., Toyo Denso, Toyo Tire & Rubber, Toyoda Gosei, TRW, Usui Kokusai Sangyo, Valeo Japan Co., Yamada, Yamashita Rubber and Yazaki.
Blue Wahoos Stadium Going Cashless For 2023
January 6, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos announced Thursday that Blue Wahoos Stadium will join ballparks and stadiums across the nation as a cashless venue during the 2023 Minor League Baseball season and at all future team events at the ballpark.
The transition to cashless payments at Blue Wahoos Stadium brings the ballpark in alignment with Major League Baseball stadiums across the country, joining 29 MLB teams with cashless stadium experiences including Pensacola’s affiliate, the Miami Marlins.
“Blue Wahoos Stadium will join stadiums and ballparks across the country in transitioning to a cashless experience, creating a faster, more efficient, and more secure payment system for fans,” team president Jonathan Griffith said. “Being cashless will help cut down on lines at concessions and the box office by making transactions quicker and offer added security for fans.”
Credit, debit, and gift cards will be accepted at all locations inside Blue Wahoos Stadium including the box office, Bait & Tackle Team Store, and concessions. Select locations will also process mobile tap-to-pay payments. The StadiumDrop app will remain available to fans, allowing them to order food and beverages for delivery directly to their seat.
Fans with cash will be able to exchange it for a stadium gift card at the Bait & Tackle Shop and box office at the ballpark.
Opening day for the Blue Wahoos is April 7.
Man Charged After Shooting At Two Women Outside Bingo Hall, ECSO Says
January 5, 2023
An Escambia County man is facing multiple charges after allegedly shooting at two women outside a bingo hall Wednesday night.
Lee David Wilkerson, 38, was standing outside of Bingo Paradise on Mobile Highway when two females tried to enter. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office became involved in an altercation at the entrance of the building. During the altercation, he retrieved a firearm from his side and hit one female victim in the head with it. He then began shooting in their direction and continued to fire into the parking lot as the victims fled, deputies said.
ECSO said Wilkerson then tossed the firearm in a nearby dumpster, but not his meth. As Wilkerson tried to enter the building, two citizens who had witnessed the altercation pulled their concealed weapons, holding Wilkerson until deputies arrived.
Wilkerson was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, firing a weapon in public, use or display of a firearm during a felony, aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon, and trafficking methamphetamine.
The firearm used was located by deputies in the nearby dumpster (pictured bottom).
