UWF Student Arrested On Child Porn Charges
December 2, 2022
A University of West Florida student was arrested at his campus residence Thursday for child pornography by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Paul Tupas Roquelara, 21, was charged with 30 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, and one count each of promoting a sexual performance of a child and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The case began in November after multiple law enforcement investigators obtained downloads of files containing child sexual abuse material from a peer-to-peer network from Roquelara. Investigators determined that the internet protocol address was unique to the suspect at his residence in the Village East Apartment dorms on the UWF campus.
Agents obtained and executed a search warrant at Roquelara’s residence Thursday and seized multiple electronic devices. FDLE said forensic examinations of his devices uncovered evidence of videos featuring children being sexually abused, some younger than 5 years old.
Homeland Security Investigations and University of West Florida Police Department assisted in the investigation.
Roquelara was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond until first appearance.
FDLE said additional charges are pending further forensic review.
What You Need To Know: Northview Hosts Union County In State Semifinal Tonight
December 2, 2022
The Northview Chiefs will host the Fightin’ Tigers of Union County High in the FHSAA 1-Rural state semifinal.
The Chiefs (12-0) are coming off a powerful 42-6 win over previously unbeaten Chipley last week, while Union County (8-2) defeated Lafayette 41-6. Union County is from Lake Butler, just north of Gainesville. They have a 333 mile road trip to Bratt.
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium, Northview HS
- Tickets: $9, plus service fee.
- All tickets must be purchased through Gofan.co. Mobile device only; no printed tickets. Only FHSAA state series passes will be accepted.
- Parking: Donation. Arrive early for the best locations.
- Theme: “Light Up the Tigers”. Fans asked to wear necklaces, bracelets or anything that lights up.
- Weather: Comfortably cool, no chance of rain. Kickoff about 61 degrees, dropping only a degree or two by the end of the game. Light wind from the east.
Northview has averaged 44.33 points per game this season, while Union County has averaged 34.9. The Chiefs have averaged 389.9 total yards per game (278 rushing, 111.9 passing), while Union County has averaged 399.6 (271.1 rushing, 128.5 passing).
Players to watch:
- Northview: #6 Jamarkus Jefferson with 174.4 yards rushing, 196.7 total yards, and 22.3 average points per game; #4 Kaden Odom with 111.9 passing yards per game; #24 Luke Bridges with 8.2 tackles per game; #55 John Michael Ward with 70 pancake blocks and 0.5 sacks per game.
- Union County: #9 AJ Cortese with 127.7 yards passing, 191.5 total yards per game; #4 Rayvon Durant with 148.3 rushing yards and 9.6 points per game; Dayviontae Thompson with 5.7 tackles per game; Markus Strong with 1.1 sacks per game.
With a win Friday night in the semifinals, the Northview Chiefs will face the winner of tonight’s Blountstown (9-4) at Hawthorne (10-0) game in the state 1R championship game. The game will be played at 7 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, December 10 at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Santa Visits Century Library, Has 11 More Library Visits Planned Across The County (With Gallery)
December 2, 2022
Santa Claus visited the Century Library Thursday night, and he will take time out of his busy schedule to make 11 more visits to libraries across the county before Christmas.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Santa posed for photos and took note of those special Christmas gift wish lists. He was asked for a variety of gifts, including a Barbie Dreamhouse, Peppa Pig, Thomas the Train, a telescope, games, a 4-wheeler, makeup, a trampoline, and a helicopter.
Santa made no promises, but hinted that some of the gift requests might just be doable for good little boys and girls. Well, except maybe the helicopter.
“That would probably be a little big for the sleigh,” the jolly old elf said.
Santa has the follow visits to West Florida Library branches planned before Christmas:
- Tuesday, Dec. 6, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Southwest Library
- Tuesday, Dec. 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Westside Library
- Wednesday, Dec. 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, Dec. 8, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Tryon Library
- Thursday, Dec. 8, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Molino Library
- Saturday, Dec. 10, 1:30-2:30 p.m. – Bellview Library
- Tuesday, Dec. 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Bellview Library
- Tuesday, Dec. 13, 3-4 p.m. – Tryon Library
- Thursday, Dec. 15, 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Southwest Library
- Saturday, Dec. 17, 1:30-2:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Wednesday, Dec. 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Molino Library
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deidra’s Gift Provides Christmas Gifts For Sick, Shut-Ins In Century
December 2, 2022
With help from St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Century, Deidra’s Gift was able to present a donation to the Century Center for Rehabilitation & Healing.
The funds will be used by staff to purchase Christmas gifts for sick and shut-in residents.
Deidra’s gift was established in memory of Dedria Robinson, who was killed in 2005 in an automobile accident at age 11.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Food Distribution For 500 Families Saturday At Jubilee Church
December 2, 2022
Jubilee Church and Farm Share are partnering to feed 500 or more families with a food distribution on Saturday.
The drive-thru food distribution will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. while supplies last at Jubilee Church at 5910 North W Street.
“The need in our community continues to grow. With this year’s food prices hitting an all-time high along with gas and rising housing costs, our community is struggling to pay bills and put food on the table. We are honored to give back to those in need in our local community especially during the Holiday season,” said Lead Pastor Tim Fox of Jubilee Church.
Clinic To Assist Participants In Restoring Driving Privileges; Registration Now Open
December 2, 2022
The First Judicial Circuit will host a Driver License Clinic on Friday, March 24, 2023, to assist individuals whose licenses have been revoked, suspended, or cancelled. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building located at 190 Governmental Center in Pensacola.
Registration is now open to the first 150 registered participants. Registration will be available at escambiacountydriverlicenseclinic2023.eventbrite.com.
Registered participants should closely monitor the email address provided at registration, as email will be the primary form of communication between participants and the clinic staff. Additional information may also be requested by email. Failure to provide requested information may result in cancelled registration.
Individuals who registered for previous clinics and failed to appear will be automatically placed on the waiting list until all eligible participants have had an opportunity to register. The waiting list does not transfer to future clinics; therefore, participants will be required to re-register in order to participate in the future. Walk-ins will not be able to participate.
Staff from the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office, Florida Department of Revenue, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Escambia County Clerk of Court, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the State Attorney, and the Office of the Public Defender, along with judges and court staff, will work together to assist registrants and provide individualized information relevant to each participant’s personal circumstances.
The goal of the clinic is to provide “one-stop shopping” for citizens to interact with the appropriate state agencies and/or the court so they can determine how to regain their driving privileges.
The clinic will not be able to assist individuals with licenses revoked, suspended, or cancelled due to out-of-state matters. Additionally, the clinic will not waive outstanding financial obligations or address pending criminal charges or charges for which an individual is currently on probation.
Tate High School Placed On Precautionary ‘Code Yellow’ Status, All Clear Given
December 1, 2022
Tate High School was placed on “totally precautionary” code yellow security status early Thursday afternoon, according to the school district.
Someone reported hearing a possible gunshot in the neighborhood around the campus, but nothing was found.
Tate High has since returned to an ordinary operating status.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Man Broke Into Cantonment Home, Made A Meal, Took A Nap, Took A Truck And A Gun: ECSO Says
December 1, 2022
A Michigan man’s crime spree ended in Escambia County after he broke into a Cantonment home, fixed himself a meal, and stole a pickup truck.
James Lee Mitchell, 50, of Flint, Michigan, is charged with burglary, vehicle theft and grand theft of a firearm. He will likely face additional charges in other jurisdictions.
Mitchell was caught on camera as he entered a home Sunday on Sunnydale Road in Cantonment. He took keys to a Toyota Tundra truck, a small semi-automatic .380 caliber firearm and a pair of electrical pliers.
“He even has the audacity to cook a meal and take a nap during his unwelcomed exploit. The hooligan leaves with a stolen gun (bet you don’t feel sorry for him now) and the stolen truck,” the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Deputies found the stolen truck the following day on Ensley Street, and the firearm was recovered.
The ECSO said Mitchell stole a vehicle in Marion County, Florida, and stopped in Santa Rosa County and burglarized two homes before heading to Escambia County. He ran out of gas in Cantonment where deputies said he broke into a couple of houses, a motorhome and a shed.
“Word on the street is that he stopped in Santa Rosa County and broke into two houses there before venturing into our particular harbor,” the ECSO said.
Mitchell remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $25,000.
Cantonment Man Seriously Injured In Pensacola Motorcycle Crash
December 1, 2022
An 18-year old Cantonment man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash midday Wednesday in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 77-year old driver of a GMC SUV failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Gonzalez Street at “T’ Street.
“The driver of the motorcycle attempted to avoid the collision by laying the motorcycle on its left side. As a result, the motorcycle slide under the SUV and collided with the undercarriage of the SUV in the intersection,” FHP said in a crash report.
The Cantonment man was wearing his helmet at the time of the collision and was listed in stable condition at last report.
Troopers cited the SUV driver with failure to yield right of way from a stop sign.
Photos: Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former ECUA Recycling Manager Pleads Guilty To Racketeering In Half Million Dollar Scheme
December 1, 2022
A former recycling manager at the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) pleaded guilty Wednesday to racketeering in connection with selling a half million dollars worth of recyclables through a shell company he owned.
In September of 2018, Jarrell Lamar Reynolds, now 45, was hired by ECUA to manage the recycling operation at the Perdido Landfill.
“He was hired, according to ECUA management, because of his experience in the industry and his personal contacts with potential new vendors and customers,” an arrest report states. “ECUA believed that hiring Reynolds would increase the efficiency of the the recycling operation and increase their revenues through the introduction of new customers for their recyclable material.”
On December 5, 2018, Reynolds created a shell company called JAT Recycling in Georgia, and he was the lone officer of the company. He used the shell company to acquire the property from ECUA and sell the recyclables. Once sold to third parties, Reynolds maintained control of about $510,000 in profits and transferred them to multiple accounts he controlled, according to court documents.
The profits were then used by Reynolds to purchase cars, investment properties, and other personal expenses.
Additional charges of racketeering as well as organized fraud, money laundering, and extortion were dropped in exchange for Reynolds’ guilty plea.
Pictured top: The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). File photo.