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Authorities Seek Man Who
Robbed Marijuana Dealer,
Seriously Injuring Him

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies are seeking the whereabouts of Cody Holland, 21, a homeless person, after Holland allegedly robbed an alleged marijuana dealer on Wednesday, March 10, 2010.

Cody Holland
(Prior mug shot)

A sheriff's report said Cody Holland went over to the residence of Nicholas Smith, 19, in the 3800 block of 9th Avenue West, Bradenton, to purchase "green" Marijuana.

During the transaction, Cody hit Nick in the head with an unknown object and took Nick's wallet and "a large amount" of Marijuana.

Nick said that he felt that there was another person with Cody but was not positive.

Cody left in an SUV east on 9th Ave.

The initial story was that Nick was robbed outside; there was no mention of the Marijuana. It was later learned that the robbery occurred inside his bedroom.

Nick sustained a laceration to his left ear lobe which almost severed the ear lobe.

Twenty-four (24) grams of Marijuana were recovered from a utility room with the victim's blood all over the container.

Nick admitted he owned the container but said that the Marijuana taken and what was recovered belonged to someone else.

A request for Nick's arrest to the State Attorney's Office was completed for Possession of Marijuana on Nick.

The Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) attempted to locate Holland, but were unsuccessful.

A request for Holland's arrest to the State Attorney's Office was completed for Robbery.

Bradenton Cops Bust Man, 20,
for Consensual Sex Acts
with Girl, 15 Years Old

BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- The Bradenton Police Department has arrested Kelvet Fuller, 20, of the 2200 block of 9th Avenue East, Bradenton.

Kelvet Fuller

The arrest report said Fuller and an unnamed 15-year-old girl have been having a sexual relationship.

The first encounter took place on February 15, 2010, at Fuller's old apartment. He said that they both engaged in oral intercourse and full intercourse on that occasion.

The second incident took place on March 10, 2010, at a friend's residence. They were in bed together and they began having oral sex and then that led to full intercourse once again.

Fuller said he did not wear a condom and ejaculated inside the teenager, the report said.

Fuller was cooperative with detectives and said when he first met her he thought she was like fourteen to sixteen, but the girl told him she was seventeen.

The girl told detectives none of this was done by force.

Fuller was arrested on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, and charged with Lewd or Lascivious Acts on a Person Under 16.

As of Thursday afternoon, he remained in the Manatee County Jail on a bail bond of $10,000.

Manatee Detectives Arrest
Man for Armed Burglary

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Jesse Mooney, 27, of 923 68th Street Northwest, Bradenton.

Jesse Mooney

According to the arrest report, on March 2, 2010, sometime during the morning between 7:30 a.m. and 11:50 a.m., Mooney entered a residence in the 900 block of 68th Street Northwest, Bradenton, and stole a rifle and other items.

Mooney then went to Estate Pawn and Jewelry, located at 101 5th Avenue Drive East, Bradenton, and pawned the rifle, receiving $150 for it. At that time, Mooney left a thumbprint and a signature, attesting he owned the rifle.

However, a fingerprint left at the crime scene came back to known prints of Mooney. And a pawn shop search by detectives turned up the rifle and accompanying paperwork. A hold was placed on the rifle.

On Tuesday, March 9, 2010, a detective and another deputy went to Mooney's home to arrest him. Mooney tried to bolt, but the deputy was at the back door preventing Mooney from doing so.

Mooney gave himself up and admitted to the theft and pawning the rifle.

He was arrested and charged with Armed Burglary, two counts of Dealing in Stolen Property and Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

He remains in the Manatee County Jail without bond.

Man, 49, Arrested for
Aggravated Stalking

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Randall Arlan Mead, 49, of the 8300 block of 43rd Avenue West, Bradenton.

Randall Arlan Mead

Mead was arrested on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at 1051 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton.

The arrest report said Mead has been stalking Molly Severns ever since a protective order was issued against him in November of 2009. He was served a copy of the order.

Since then, Mead has frightened Molly through numerous phone calls to Molly and places she frequents, calling her names. He has also driven by her house numerous times, the report said.

He has also called Molly's friends numerous times to deliver messages to her.

A deputy wrote Mead obviously "has no intention of ending the harassment."

Mead was arrested and charged with Aggravated Stalking and Violation of an Injunction.

He remains in the Manatee County Jail in lieu of a $5,000 bail bond.

Burglar Arrested After
Being Caught in Act

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Dustin Carrizales, 26, of 3211 Henrietta Place, Sarasota.

Dustin Carrizales

According to the arrest report, on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at about 12:45 p.m., Dustin went to the rear of a residence in the 5700 block of 13th Street East, entered a shed in the back yard and removed a trash can, a mag light and a paper shredder. The items were valued at $85.

One Dustin had the property, he went around to the front of the home and was observed by two men who had come to the home to do some repairs.

Once Dustin saw the two men, he began to run away with the items.

The two men followed Dustin and called law enforcement.

Deputies found the trio in the 5800 block of 15th Street East.

Upon searching Dustin, a deputy found a crack pipe on his person. Also found on Dustin was a tool with a sharp end, possibly used for prying.

Dustin was arrested and charged with Burglary, Theft, Possession of Burglary Tools and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

He remains in the Manatee County Jail in lieu of a bail bond of $36,000.

Horse Wanders Onto Woman's
Property, Nobody Seems to
Own It; Deputies Impound It

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies have taken custody of a horse that wandered onto a Myakka City property, apparently abandoned.

According to a sheriff's report, on Saturday, March 6, 2010, a brown mare horse wandered onto the property where Barbara Kihn lives, in the 7500 block of 274th Street East, Myakka City.

Barbara put the horse in her barn and has attempted to find an owner. None of her neighbors have seen the horse before. No one in the area has reported missing a horse.

The horse is very thin and has a problem with its left front leg.

It appears that the horse had been dumped in the area and left.

The horse was impounded and transported to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Jail Farm.

The sheriff's office says Sarasota Equine was called and a VET will be coming out on Monday, March 15, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., to check the horse out and draw blood for the Coggins test.

Anyone with any information about this horse is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .

Callers to the CrimeStoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

[Ed. Note: The Coggins test (agar immunodiffusion) is a sensitive diagnostic test for equine infectious anemia, sometimes called "swamp fever" developed by Dr. Leroy Coggins in the 1970s. If a horse is found to have the disease, it is recommended that the animal be put down, so other animals won't catch the infectious disease.]

Myakka City Man Loses Life;
Ejected After Hitting Pole

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Florida Highway Patrol reported Benjamin F. Russ, 28, of 29261 Betts Road, in Myakka City, lost his life on Thursday, March 11, 2010, at about 12:45 a.m. after he lost control of his vehicle and struck a power pole, ejecting him.

According to the FHP report, Russ was driving a 1994 Mazda and was northbound on Betts Road in the 28400 block when he lost control and the Mazda began to rotate counter-clockwise.

Russ was ejected from the Mazda after impact with a power pole.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Charlotte Sheriff Investigates
'Carhopping' Incidents

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reports thieves continue to enter unlocked vehicles around the county, known as “carhopping.” Wednesday, CCSO deputies in District-1/West County, investigated five such incidents in Cape Haze and two in Englewood.

A total of eight unlocked vehicles were entered on Windward Place, Oakland Hills Place, Coral Creek Drive, Arlington Drive, and Seaward Circle. In Englewood, unsecured vehicles entered were on Gulf Blvd. and E. 2nd Street. Items easily stolen from these unlocked vehicles included three GPS units, camera, binoculars, mail, wallet and cigarettes.

Sheriff Bill Cameron again reminds motorists to, “Always lock your vehicles; unlocked cars and trucks are easy targets for those looking for cell phones, GPS units, satellite radios, money, wallets, purses, CD’s, iPods, drugs and weapons left in unsecured vehicles. Thieves quietly get in and out of an unlocked car or truck in seconds which could be prevented by simply locking your vehicles.”

If you have information about this case, please call the CCSO at 941-639-2101, or Charlotte County Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).

Bradenton Man, One Other
Convicted of Scheme to
Defraud IRS

TAMPA, Florida -- On Thursday, March 11, 2010, U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton, along with Linda J. Osuna, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, announced that a federal jury on Wednesday found Joseph Nelson Sweet, 65, of Bradenton, and Jack Lee Malone, 60, of Largo, guilty of conspiring to defraud the United States by impeding, impairing, and obstructing the lawful functions of the Internal Revenue Service.

The jury also found Sweet guilty of corrupt interference with the Internal Revenue Laws and two counts of criminal contempt. Sweet faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and Malone faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. Sentencing for both defendants has been set for June 8, 2010.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sweet and Malone engaged in a fraudulent scheme to interfere with the Internal Revenue Laws by selling services and products that they claimed would legally remove their customers from the federal tax system. They operated under the auspices of two sham trust entities, EDM Enterprises in Bradenton, Florida, and The Joy Foundation in Tampa, Florida. Sweet and Malone advocated the position that income earned in the United States is generally not taxable and that the payment of income taxes is voluntary.

In February 2002, a federal district court in Tampa had enjoined Sweet and others working with him from promoting anti-tax views and marketing anti-tax materials. The evidence at trial showed that both Sweet and Malone violated that injunction by continuing to provide false tax advice to customers and concealing revenue derived from their business.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Tampa Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cherie L. Krigsman and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Todd Ellinwood.

$13K In Cigarettes Stolen
From Convenience Store

MARION COUNTY, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- Marion County sheriff's deputies on Thursday are searching for two people who stole nearly $13,000 worth of cigarettes from a gas station convenience store, Orlando television station WKMG reported.

Deputies released surveillance video of the heist that happened on Tuesday at Murphy USA located at Southeast 17790 109th Terrace Road in Summerfield.

The video shows a man removing boxes of cigarettes, worth $12,720, from a storeroom and loading them into a minivan -- while employees were on duty. Investigators said the employees were not suspicious because they thought the man was a vendor.

The man was wearing black shoes, blue jeans, a black shirt and a baseball cap, and he was carrying some sort of prying device, the video shows.

As the man pries the door open, a second man wearing white tennis shoes, khaki pants, a black jacket and a white shirt gets out of the vehicle and purchases a pack of gum inside the store.

The van is believed to be a red, late-model Chrysler.

The manager of the gas station said the same kind of distraction theft happened at a gas station in Punta Gorda. Deputies do not have any evidence that the two incidents are connected, WKMG said.

~ Thursday's Local/State News ~

Bradenton Police Bust Man, 21,
Who Molested Girl, 10, at
Girlfriend's Home

BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- The Bradenton Police Department has arrested Christopher Lamar Green, 21, of 639 24th Street East, Bradenton.

Christopher Lamar Green

According to the arrest report, Green is the live-in boyfriend of the victim's mother. The victim is a 10-year-old female. The residence is in the 1600 block of 30th Street West.

On Saturday, March 6, 2010, at about 8 a.m., Green called the unnamed victim into the bedroom that he shares with the victim's mother.

He had a movie and he had the little girl lay on the bed to watch the movie with him.

At one point, Green pressed his body against the back of the victim and started to touch her buttocks with his hands above her clothes.

The victim pulled away, but Green pulled her back, the report said.

Green then took one of the victim's hands and placed it on his lower abdomen. He didn't have a shirt on. The little girl later told detectives she could feel his pubic hair. She also told detectives Green also placed his "private thing" against her lower back and she could feel it.

Green told her "Do not tell your mommy I put my thing on you."

Green was arrested on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at his father's residence and requested a lawyer.

He was charged with Lewd & Lascivious Act/Molest a Child Under 12, Offender Over 18.

As of Wednesday afternoon, he remained in the Manatee County Jail without bond.

Deputies Arrest Man for
Pulling Handgun on
Tow Truck Driver

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Wayne Thomas Petersen, 63, of 2612 29th Avenue West, Bradenton.

Wayne Thomas Petersen

According to the arrest report, on Monday, March 8, 2010, at about 4:45 p.m., Odon Gutierrez and Fernando Gutierrez, the victims, were driving by Petersen's shop located at 5803 15th Street East, Bradenton.

When they got to the shop door, Petersen's vehicle was in the way.

Odon got out of the vehicle to ask Petersen to move his vehicle and Fernando honked the horn to get Petersen's attention.

Odon said that Petersen came out of the shop and pulled his shirt up to show Odon a gun on his hip. Petersen then pulled the gun out and pointed it at Odon's head and said, "I am not going to move the car and I want to kill you," the report said.

Odon said Petersen then put the gun under a table in the shop and covered it with a white towel.

Odon got back in his truck and called the sheriff's office.

When deputies arrived, Petersen denied the accusations.

Deputies found the gun just as Odon described where it would be.

Fernando confirmed Odon's story.

Petersen was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm.

He was released from the Manatee County Jail after posting a bail bond of $15,000.

Manatee Deputies Assist
U.S. Marshals, Arrest
Out-of-State Fugitive

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Marcus Tillman, 36, who was wanted by U.S. Marshals on an out-of-state fugitive warrant.

Marcus Tillman

Det. Carter had received a request from the US Marshal’s Office in Tampa requesting the assistance of the sheriff's office in locating a wanted fugitive, Marcus Tillman.

COPS North had received intelligence that Marcus would be hanging around the drug houses around Ali’s Market, particularly 2206 2nd Avenue East.

Dep. Denmark drove down the 2200 block of 2nd Ave. East and saw a person matching Tillman's description riding a bike.

As Dep. Denmark began to turn around the person disappeared.

COPS North began to search the area and made contact with the landlord at 2206 2nd Ave. E., which is a rooming house. She agreed to help us by making contact with her tenants.

She knocked on the last door and it opened. She was talking to her tenant as a deputy looked in from the doorway and saw the same person that Dep. Denmark described sitting in a chair that also matched the DAVID picture of Marcus Tillman.

The deputy asked the subject what his name was and he replied Marcus.

He was directed to step out, which he did.

His identity was confirmed as Marcus Tillman and he was taken into custody.

The warrant was for Violation of Probation on a dangerous drug arrest.

Teenager Arrested on Multiple
Charges Following Traffic Stop

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Dontay Henderson, 17, of 5014 58th Terrace East, Bradenton.

Dontay Henderson

Deputy Hurd conducted a traffic stop on Henderson on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at about 4:30 p.m., and a K-9 deputy conducted a walk-around of the vehicle.

The canine deputy received a positive signal and the vehicle was searched.

During the search, an unloaded firearm was found under the front passenger’s seat, a Hydrocodone pill and several small “nickel” baggies were found on the floorboard and loose cannabis (marijuana) was scattered about the vehicle.

The serial number to the firearm was run through NCIC/FCIC and it came back stolen out of Manatee County.

Post Miranda, Henderson admitted to the charges.

Henderson was charged with Possession of a Concealed Firearm, Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Paraphernalia, Violation of Probation and Recovered Stolen Firearm.

He was taken to the Juvenile Booking Center.

State Fire Marshal Says
Bayshore-on-the-Lake
Fire was Intentionally Set

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at about 3 p.m., Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue, assisted by Southern Manatee Fire Rescue and the Bradenton Fire Department, responded to an apartment fire at Bayshore-on-the-Lake, 3478 Lake Bayshore Drive, Building P, apartment 516.

Firefighters found smoke showing from the unit. A second alarm was requested and CHFR received mutual aid from the other fire departments.

Once crews made entry, they found high heat, heavy smoke and an active fire that was brought under control in 20 minutes.

The apartment was not occupied at the time of the fire.

One person was treated for smoke inhalation and released.

The fire was intentionally set, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Anyone having any information on the fire is asked to call Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue at (941) 751-7090, or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .

Callers to the CrimeStoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Warrants Issued in
Sarasota Shooting

SARASOTA COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has obtained arrest warrants for Darian S. Gibbons, 19, AKA “Noodle” and “Sean,” of a last known address 3116 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota, in connection with a shooting March 9, 2010.

Darian S. Gibbons

Witnesses say Gibbons shot 17-year old Lawrence Ford-Hars following an altercation at 2222 Martin Luther King Jr. Way around 2:15 p.m., Tuesday. Ford-Hars and another teen were involved in a verbal altercation that became physical and later involved several other teens.

Detectives determined Ford-Hars fired a weapon in self-defense.

The crowd dispersed and Ford-Hars and a friend tried running. They were chased by another man, later identified as Gibbons, who fired at them, striking Ford-Hars.

Gibbons is wanted for Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Discharging a Firearm with 1,000 Feet of a School.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Criminal Investigations at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477), or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com or via text message by texting TIP109 plus a message to CRIMES (274637).

UPDATE: Darian Gibbons turned himself in to the Sarasota County Jail Wednesday night.

Sarasota Man Convicted of
Scheme to Defraud IRS

TAMPA, Florida [NMT/USAG] -- On Tuesday, March 9, 2010, U.S. Attorney Brian A. Albritton, along with Linda J. Osuna, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, announced that a federal jury has found Carel A. Prater, AKA Chad Prater, 71, of Sarasota, guilty of corrupt interference with the Internal Revenue Laws, aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return, failure to file a tax return, criminal contempt, structuring transactions to avoid reporting requirements, and making false declarations before a grand jury.

Carel A. Prater

Prater faces a maximum penalty of 33 years in federal prison and a fine of $1.95 million. The court ordered Prater detained pending sentencing. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Prater engaged in a fraudulent scheme to interfere with the internal revenue laws by selling services that he claimed would legally remove his customers from the federal tax system. Prater advocated the position that income earned in the United States is generally not taxable, and, in exchange for fees, Prater prepared false tax returns and bogus documents that were submitted to the IRS and recorded in the public records on behalf of his customers. Prater also advised his customers to conceal assets and income from the IRS. Between 2000 and 2003, Prater’s gross receipts exceeded $2 million.

In December 2002, a federal district court in Tampa enjoined Prater from promoting his anti-tax views and business. The evidence at trial showed that Prater had violated the injunction and subsequent orders from the court by continuing to provide false tax advice to customers and concealing revenue derived from his business. The evidence at trial also demonstrated that Prater had made false declarations to a grand jury investigating the matter when he voluntarily testified on October 1, 2008.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Tampa Division, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert T. Monk and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Michelle M. Petersen.

Car Driven by Woman, 88,
Crashed Into Liquor Store

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Wednesday, March 10, 2010, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Deputies were at Beachcomber Liquors, 4318 N. Access Rd., (S.R. 776), Englewood East, where a car crashed into the store front.

Above, the car inside the liquor store
(Photo provided)

CCSO received the call at 12:03 p.m. and upon arrival found a Chrysler Sebring driven by an 88-year-old female had crashed through the front window and door, and is inside the store.

Deputies, Englewood Fire and EMS were all on scene.

CCSO District-1 road deputy, Deputy First Class Paul Cignarale said the woman drove with both feet on the pedals and mistakenly hit the gas instead of the brakes.

She plowed through the front door and window glass and the car got stuck half way into the liquor store.

The woman refused EMS treatment and her husband was called to take her home.

DFC Cignarale said not one liquor or beverage bottle was broken, just a lot of damage to the front of the store and the car.

Reports say there was no serious injury.

Deputies called for a Charlotte County Building Inspector to check the structure of the liquor store, and a tow truck to extricate the car from the business.

Cops: Tanning Salon
Peeper Caught In Act

LAKELAND, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- A man accused of using a cell phone camera to snap pictures of a woman undressing at a tanning salon in Polk County will face a judge on Wednesday, Orlando television station WKMG reported.

Mark McElwee
(Photo courtesy Polk County Sheriff)

Lakeland police said Mark Douglas McElwee, 42, of Lakeland, was arrested on charges of video voyeurism, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Police said McElwee posed as a customer at Leon's Tanning Salon by paying for a tanning booth. He then stood on a table, reached over a divider and started taking pictures of the a woman undressing, police said.

The victim saw his arm and alerted the salon, and employees called police, who seized McElwee's cell phone, WKMG said.

The owner of Leon's Tanning, which has been in business for about 25 years, said his customers' safety and security is a priority. He said the incident is the first his business has experienced.

~ Wednesday's Local/State News ~

Peaches Restaurant Robbed
by Young Man Who Fled
But was Captured

BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- The Bradenton Police Department has arrested Christopher James Robbins, 19, of 6604 2nd Avenue Northeast, Bradenton.

Christopher James Robbins

According to the arrest report, on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at about 9 a.m., a BPD officer was dispatched to Peaches Restaurant, 5240 State Road 64 East, Bradenton regarding a possible robbery in progress.

The officer entered the restaurant through the back door and met with a woman who works at Peaches. She told him Robbins attempted to take fifty dollars from her and ran outside the store where he was detained by the restaurant's manager.

The story unfolded during the officer's investigation.

Robbins had come into the restaurant and had sat at the counter. The woman said Robbins began to look around the interior of the restaurant, but did not ask for service. He then left the restaurant, but returned about 5 minutes later.

At that time, Robbins approached the counter where the cash register sat and waited for other customers to pay their bill so he could be last in line. He kept his hand in his jacket pocket, which made the woman nervous, the report said.

Robbins then asked her if she could make change for a fifty dollar bill and she said she could.

The woman counted out several bills adding up to fifty dollars.

Robbins lunged over the counter and snatched the money from the woman.

He ran out of the restaurant, but was captured by the restaurant manager and detained until police arrived.

Robbins was arrested and charged with Strong Arm Robbery and Resisting Arrest without Violence.

He remains in the Manatee County Jail on a bail bond of $10,750.

Manatee County School
Teacher Arrested for
Domestic Battery

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Brian Pollard, 32, of 1492 17th Street West, Palmetto. Pollard listed his occupation as a teacher at G.D. Rogers Garden Elementary School.

Brian Pollard

According to the arrest report, on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at about 7:15 p.m., Pollard and Felicia Reed got into an argument.

Felicia said that the argument turned physical when Brian grabbed her in a choke hold and took her phone, the report said.

Felicia said she on the phone later in her bedroom when without warning Brian knocked her to the ground and started hitting and kneeing her.

Felicia's 8-year-old daughter came into the room and saw her mother on the floor. When the little girl ran to get help, Brian pushed her to the ground, according to the report.

Brian fled the scene.

Felicia declined EMS at the scene.

Photos were taken of Felicias injuries.

Pollard was located on Monday, March 8, 2010, at about 1:30 p.m., at a residence in the 500 block of 13th Avenue West, Bradenton.

He was arrested and charged with Domestic Battery.

As of Tuesday afternoon, he remained in the Manatee County Jail without bond.

Woman Arrested for Trying
to Stab Drinking Partner

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Reyna Flores, 26, of 414 60th Avenue Drive East, Bradenton.

Reyna Flores

The arrest report said on Monday, March 8, 2010, at about 8 p.m., Reyna Flores and Elizabeth Romero were at Side A of the above listed duplex.

Reyna's daughter, who is a 1 year old, was present.

Reyna was drinking beer and at one point, the toddler grabbed an open beer and started walking around the house.

This created a verbal dispute between Elizabeth and Reyna.

Elizabeth took the beer from the child and started yelling at Reyna.

At that time, Reyna grabbed a knife and started chasing Elizabeth, thrusting the knife up and down trying to stab Elizabeth, the report said.

Reyna chased Elizabeth toward the rear of the house and Elizabeth was able to get inside a bedroom and close the door.

A male bystander secured Reyna on the ground and took the knife from her. Reyna jumped up, grabbed the toddler and ran out.

The deputy noted that the toddler had been present during all of the above.

When deputies responded, they located at her residence, side B of the duplex. She was very intoxicated, the report said, and could not provide details of the incident.

Reyna was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Reyna remained in the Manatee County Jail without bond.

Bradenton Cops Arrest Woman
Whose Child Was Found
Wandering in Parking Lot

BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- The Bradenton Police Department has arrested Lottay Jessay Waiters, 20, of the 2000 block of 5th Street West, Bradenton.

Lottay Jessay Waiters

According to the arrest report, a woman called police on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at about 4:45 p.m. to report she had found a small child walking through the parking lot of the City Walk Apartments at the above address.

When police arrived, she told them she and several other neighbors had walked door to door looking for a parent or legal guardian for the child, to no avail. They searched the area for about 30 to 40 minutes, the woman told officers.

One of the officers started to walk door to door to search for the child's mother and noticed the front door to the above address was wide open.

The officer attempted to get someone's attention inside and eventually Lottay Waiters came to the door.

She had no idea her child was missing, but identified the found little girl as belonging to her.

Lottay was arrested and charged with Child Neglect.

Lottay's mother took custody of the children temporarily.

Lottay was released from the Manatee County Jail on her own recognizance, supervised.

Palmetto Police Arrest Man
for Vehicle Burglary

PALMETTO, Florida [NMT] -- The Palmetto Police Department has arrested Johnel Johnson, 19, of 1505 2nd Avenue West, Palmetto.

Johnel Johnson

The arrest report from PPD said on Saturday, March 6, 2010, Johnson was observed in an unnamed victim's vehicle.

The victim called to Johnson and Johnson fled on foot from the scene in the 800 block of 6th Avenue West, Palmetto.

The victim chased Johnson a couple of blocks and caught Johnson.

Johnson returned lighters to the victim that were taken from the vehicle.

Johnson was arrested and charged with Vehicle Burglary.

He remains in the Manatee County Jail in lieu of a $2,500 bail bond.

Six Vehicles Burglarized
in South Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported six vehicle burglaries in South Manatee County, just north of University Parkway and east of Lockwood Ridge Road, early Tuesday morning, March 9, 2010, between the hours of 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.

The report said 6 vehicles had their windows smashed in.

Vehicle 1) had a blue lap top bag stolen from within, 2) nothing taken or disturbed, 3) MP-3 player stolen from within, 4) GPS stolen from within, 5) ransacked but nothing taken, 6) radio and wallet stolen from within.

The burglaries took place on Country Park Way, Ithaca Lane and Brandies Circle West.

Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .

Callers to the CrimeStoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Shooting Investigation
By Sarasota Sheriff

SARASOTA COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at about 2:15 p.m., the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office responded to 2222 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Sarasota, in regard to a shooting.

A 17-year-old male had sustained a gunshot wound and has been transferred to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where he is receiving treatment for his non-life threatening injury.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Criminal Investigations at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477), or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com or via text message by texting TIP109 plus a message to CRIMES (274637).

Middle School Coach Accused
of Fondling Female Student

CITRA, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- A North Marion Middle School basketball coach was arrested and accused of engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old student, Orlando television station WKMG reported.

Robert Bennett

The teenager told Marion County deputies she was grabbed by Robert Bennett last Monday. The following day, the teenager claimed Bennett called her out of class and invited her into his office.

According to the arrest affidavit, the teenager said Bennett touched her above her clothing, and she touched him above and under his clothing.

Deputies were informed after the girl's mother found a note from her daughter to the coach.

Investigators said Bennett initially denied the sexual activity in his office, but when presented with the note, he said he and his girlfriend had some form of sex in his office.

Bennett has been charged with sexual battery by a person with custodial authority. His bond was set at $50,000, WKMG said.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 352-572-4663.

[Ed. Note: Citra, Florida is just south and slightly to the east of Gainesville.]

FDLE’s New FALCON
Technology Demonstrates
Its Crime Solving Power

TALLAHASSEE, Florida [NMT/FDLE] -- On Tuesday, March 9, 2010, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) announced that the number of “hits” provided to local law enforcement agencies from fingerprints left at crime scenes has tripled as a result of improved fingerprint matching technology. With 3,000 persons arrested daily in Florida, FALCON’s new Biometric ID System compares incoming arrest finger and palm prints against unidentified latent finger and palm prints left at crime scenes. When a match is made, FDLE’s scientists notify the local law enforcement agency investigating the crime and provide information on the offender whose fingerprint or palm impression was collected from the scene.

“Every law enforcement agency in our state benefits from the arsenal of high-tech tools this system delivers,” said Commissioner Gerald Bailey. “This is an investment in public safety technology that translates to more crimes solved, offenders off the streets, and improved safety statewide.”

Biometric ID System was fully implemented statewide in June 2009 and is a key component of FALCON, a multi-faceted criminal history integration project. In addition to using more sophisticated and sensitive matching formulas which boost the possibility of a match, the system now has the capability to store larger areas of the finger and hand, including palm prints. Often times palm impressions or partial palm prints are left at crime scenes and the ability to store and search these prints statewide brings tremendous crime solving potential. Since the implementation of the Biometric ID System, there have been more than 5,000 “hits” on palm prints statewide. Currently, there are more than a half million palm prints from arrests in the system.

Another advantage of the new system is the ability to match offender prints with prints left at crime scenes even when the print quality is not optimal. The system also has a larger storage capacity and enables FDLE for the first time to retain mug shots and images of offenders’ scars, marks and tattoos.

The tripling in “hits” refers to incoming arrest fingerprints that matched unsolved crime scene prints from period from July 2009 through December 2009 compared to the last six months of 2008. During the same period, the number of “hits” more than doubled when FDLE scientists compared new crime scene prints against the 4.8 million subject fingerprints on file in the state’s criminal history system. The Biometric ID System replaced the department’s older Automated Fingerprint Identification System, which was installed in 1996.

To learn more about FDLE’s crime laboratory services, visit www.fdle.state.fl.us.

~ Tuesday's Local/State News ~

Manatee Sheriff's Report:
Man Arrested for Robbing,
Beating Man Unconscious

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested James Michael Sparks, 21, of 907 69th Avenue West, Bradenton.

James Michael Sparks

According to the arrest report, on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at about 1:30 p.m., an unnamed victim was at the McDonalds restaurant in the 3700 block of Cortez Road West.

While in the parking lot, the victim engaged in a conversation with an old friend of his, Sparks, about a ride across town for $5.

When the victim got into the back seat of the car, driven by another unnamed person, the driver drove to the back of the shopping plaza.

While behind the plaza, Sparks said to the driver, "Stop, I left something in the back seat."

Sparks asked the victim to get out of the back seat so he could retrieve the alleged item. When the victim got out, he was in the process of answering his cell phone.

It was at this time that the victim saw out of the corner of his eye Sparks hit him in the back of the head with a black metal pipe.

Sparks continually hit the victim with the pipe until the victim blacked out.

When he came to, he saw Sparks and the driver of the vehicle continually punching and kicking him in his face, head and back. This went on until the driver said, "Get off him, he's had enough."

Sparks then said, "I don't give a [expletive deleted], I'll kill this [expletive deleted]."

Sparks stopped and jumped into the vehicle and both men sped away.;

Upon making it back to his senses, the victim realized that he had been robbed of his money ($40) and his cell phone.

The victim suffered several injuries, including a large contusion on the back of his head, a swollen upper and lower lip, cuts on his face and several cuts on his upper body.

Sparks was located later and arrested. He was charged with Robbery.

As of Monday, he remained in the Manatee County Jail in lieu of a $25,000 bail bond.

Man's Necklace Ripped from
Neck; Friends Help Subdue
Thief Who Was Arrested

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Eric L. Rue, 39, of 1804 4th Avenue West, Bradenton.

Eric L. Rue

According to the arrest report, on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at about 8 p.m., Rue approached the victim's home in the 500 block of 60th Avenue Terrace West, and went into the victim’s carport.

Once there, Rue unscrewed the light bulb located right outside the front door then knocked on the front door.

The victim answered the door and Rue immediately reached inside and ripped the necklace from his neck.

The victim grabbed Rue's arm to secure him.

At the same time, the victim’s friends pulled up to the front of the home, witnessed the incident, and immediately came to assist the victim. Two other friends who were in the home also heard the incident and came to assist the victim.

Rue was brought to the ground by the victim’s friends and was secured until law enforcement arrived.

Rue was arrested at the scene.

There were no injuries to the victim or his friends.

Rue was treated at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center for a bruised right shoulder.

He was then transported to Manatee County Jail, where he was charged with robbery.

As of Monday afternoon, Rue was still in jail without bond.

Man Arrested for Slashing His
Girlfriend, Punching Her

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Detective Bill Waldron has arrested William Troy Davidson, 44, of 1302 36th Avenue West, Bradenton.

William Troy Davidson

According to the arrest report, William and a woman identified only as Aimee have been boyfriend/girlfriend and lived together for about 1.5 years.

On Monday, March 1st, she went out to celebrate her birthday and left her car parked at another bar.

She went to Cheers at 3601 14th Street West, where William works to get the keys for their apartment behind Cheers.

He got upset with her for leaving the car and thought she was with another man.

When she smarted off saying she had been, he punched her in the face and went crazy, the report said.

He threw a full trash can containing beer bottles at her.

She picked up a bottle and broke a window on a car he had just purchased.

He got a broken bottle can came at her. She put her arms up and he cut her several times.

She went inside the bar to use the phone, but they would not let her. William shoved her down and dragged her outside by her long ponytail of hair.

She went to a neighbor and asked for help; they called 911 for her.

Aimee had 4 cuts on her left arm; at least 1 would require stitches, Det. Waldron wrote in his report. He also wrote that the left side of her face was swollen and the right side lower lip was swollen with a cut. Her right hand at the base had a bruise.

William left the area with his sister and could not be located until Thursday, March 4, 2010, when he was arrested.

He was charged with two counts of Aggravated Domestic Battery with a Deadly Weapon and two counts of Violation of Probation.

He remains in the Manatee County Jail without bond.

Woman, 24, Already in Jail,
Arrested for Vehicle Burglary

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Julie Marie Baldwin, 24, of 6019 56th Street Circle East, Palmetto, currently incarcerated in the Manatee County Jail on similar charges.

Julie Marie Baldwin

According to the arrest report, sometime between 6 p.m. on January 20, 2010, and 7:30 a.m. on January 21, 2010, Baldwin entered a vehicle located in the 7200 block of 51st Terrace East, Palmetto.

A wallet, gift cards, insurance card and registration papers were all stolen.

Fingerprints were obtained from a window of the vehicle, which came back to Julie Baldwin.

A detective interviewed Baldwin at the jail last week, on March 3, 2010. Baldwin told her she gets hammered on pills and when that happens she doesn't know what she is doing. But, she said, she was probably the one who stole the items, given her fingerprints were on the vehicle, the report said.

Baldwin was charged with an additional Burglary to a Conveyance.

She remains in the Manatee County Jail on a bail bond of $75,500 on multiple burglary charges.

Sex Offender Arrested for
Failure to Notify DHSMV

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Detective Kim Zink, of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Unit, has arrested Jerry Solomon, 32, for failure to notify DHSMV of an address change within 48 hours.

Jerry Solomon

Det. Zink said in her arrest report that Jerry Solomon is a Registered Sexual Offender in Manatee County, who previously reported he lived at 1511 11th Avenue East, Palmetto.

In February, Det. Zink received a tip that Solomon was living at the 9th Street Motel.

Through investigation, Det. Zink learned that Solomon rented an apartment there on January 8, 2010. He paid rent each week though the month of January, but then failed to pay any more.

Solomon abandoned the apartment and was evicted for failing to pay the rent.

Det. Zink obtained a warrant for Failing to Notify DHSMV of a Change within 48 hours.

On Friday, March 5, 2010, at about 8:30 a.m., Solomon was found back at his original address and was arrested.

He is currently in the Manatee County Jail with a $75,000 bond.

Two Teens Arrested for
Attempted Purse Snatch
Inside Target Store

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested two teenagers, identified only as J.G., 15, and M.C., 16 years old, both Black males.

A sheriff's report said while the victim was shopping at Target, 6150 14th Street West, Bradenton, on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at about 3:30 p.m., she had left her purse in her shopping cart.

J.G. attempted to take it out of the cart when he was spotted by the victim who said, “What are you doing?”

He replied, “WHAT! WHAT!”

Meanwhile, M.C. was assisting J.G. by being the lookout.

J.G. dropped the purse and he and M.C. ran out of the store and fled southbound on foot.

Lt. Vitaioli and Deputy Guthrie responded and Lt. Vitaioli observed them on the south side of Bayshore Gardens Parkway.

Lt. Vitailoi identified himself as law enforcement and gave a lawful order to stop several times.

They refused, fled and Lt. Vitaioli gave chase on foot behind the houses.

Several other Deputies and a K-9 unit responded and a perimeter was set up.

Deputy Guthrie located J.G. behind a house located at 1720 Bayshore Gardens Parkway. Deputy Barbosa located M.C. behind 1800 Bayshore Gardens Parkway.

J.G. and M.C. were positively identified by the victim and were arrested with no further incident.

They were both charged with Attempted Theft and Resisting Arrest without Violence.

They were transported to the Juvenile Booking Center.

Dog Shot, Killed by Deputy
After Dog Charges Him,
Animal Control Officer

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported it had to shoot a Rottweiler owned by Cesar Cruz, Jr., 29, of 2401 6th Street East, Bradenton, after the dog charged a deputy and an animal control officer on Monday, March 8, 2010, at about 12:20 a.m.

A sheriff's report of the incident said deputies responded to an animal complaint at the above location from Charles Terry, 24.

Terry was smoking a cigarette in his driveway in the 600 block of 23rd Ave. E. when a large Rottweiler, owned by Cruz, left its property and charged at Terry.

The dog bit Terry’s pants, but never made contact with his skin. Terry fell to the ground, causing a scrape to his right ankle. Terry managed to run into his backyard and the dog disengaged him.

Deputy Boldin arrived and saw that another neighbor was outside with his dog and the Rottweiler was walking toward them while barking. Deputy Boldin put himself between the neighbor and the dog. The dog then came toward Deputy Boldin in the same aggressive manner. Deputy Boldin jumped into his cruiser and the dog went back to its residence at 2401 6th Street East.

Cruz, the owner, came out to see what was going on and Deputy Boldin told him to secure his dog. Cruz took control of the dog and took him into the back yard.

Animal control officer Steve Bell arrived and approached Cruz’s home on the 6th Street side, believing the owner had secured the dog.

The dog came out from behind a car as Dep. Boldin and Bell were approaching. The dog sprinted at them while barking and stopped about 5 feet from the roadway.

Deputy Boldin and Bell backed up to the opposite side of the road. The dog then sprinted at them, leaving its property and entering the roadway.

Deputy Boldin drew his firearm and fired two rounds that hit the dog. The shots proved to be fatal.

Animal Control will be completing their own investigation, the report said.

Multiple Vehicle Burglaries
Reported in West Manatee

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported multiple vehicle burglaries on Flamingo Cay, in West Manatee County, overnight between Sunday, March 7, 2010, and Monday, March 8, 2010.

The report said unknown person(s) entered five vehicles, one at each location on Kingfisher Road, Spoonbill Road and Waterbird Way.

There were no signs of forced entry to any of the vehicles, but some of the owners stated that they had left their cars unlocked.

The burglar(s) rummaged through all of the vehicles and items taken included: cameras, a GPS, drill, iPod and radio faceplate.

All of the vehicles were processed for evidence.

Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .

Callers to the CrimeStoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Safe Stolen Overnight from
Palmetto Quick Mart

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported a safe was stolen overnight between Sunday and Monday from the Palmetto Quick Mart, located at 4503 U.S. 41 North, Palmetto.

The report said during the night hours from 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, 2010, until 6 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2010, person(s) unknown burglarized the Palmetto Quick Mart store by cutting the lock on the front door.

The only item taken was a safe with approximately $10,000 inside.

There was video surveillance, but deputies waited for the store to open so store employees could provide a copy of it.

Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .

Callers to the CrimeStoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

School Project Lands
UCF Student In Jail

OCALA, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- The state attorney's office in Marion County will determine what charges, if any, a University of Central Florida student will face after a bomb scare outside a movie theater Saturday afternoon, Orlando television station WKMG reported.

Matthew Pye

The incident occurred Saturday at the Hollywood 16 Theater on Southwest 27th Avenue in Ocala.

According to police, a device that looked like bundled dynamite with a timer attached was spotted inside a black Toyota pickup in the theater's parking lot.

Officers confronted two men getting into the pickup, and the area was evacuated so the bomb squad could dismantle the device, police said.

An investigation revealed that one of the men was a UCF student and the device was part of a class project, police said.

Ocala police called Orange County sheriff's deputies, who contacted the student's instructor. The professor confirmed that the student was involved with a project related to the device, and the bomb squad later confirmed that the bomb was not real, police said.

The student, Matthew Pye, 19, of Ocala, was arrested on a second-degree felony charge of manufacturing, possessing and displaying a hoax weapon of mass destruction. The other man was released.

Pye's father said his 19-year-old son only brought the project -- which earned an "A" -- home to show it to him, WKMG said.

~ Monday's Local/State News ~

Man Arrested on Warrant for
Robbery; K-9 Chico Bit Him
During Foot Pursuit

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Office K-9 Deputy "Chico" is being credited with assisting in the capture of Donte Carter, 21, of 1507 11th Avenue East, Palmetto, who was wanted on arrest warrants out of Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

Above, L to R, MSO K-9 Dep. "Chico" and Donte Carter

On Thursday, March 4, 2010, at about 11:30 p.m., Det. Ambrus observed Carter sitting in front of 712 12th Avenue West, Bradenton.

The tactical gang unit immediately converged on the location, knowing that Carter had a warrant out of Sarasota County for Robbery.

Upon doing so, Carter fled the area.

A perimeter was immediately established and Dep. Gerholdt along with his K-9 "Chico" were summoned.

Two citizens provided information as to the location where Carter took flight.

Dep. Gerholdt began his track at that location and within 30 yards encountered Carter who took flight.

Dep. Gerholdt challenged Carter who did not obey his command. As a result Dep. Gerholdt released "Chico."

Carter jumped on top of a dog house and in the process of doing so was bitten on his right lower leg by "Chico."

Carter was subsequently taken into custody without any further incident.

Carter received minor puncture wounds to his leg which were treated at Manatee Memorial Hospital.

After his release he was taken to the Manatee County Jail.

In addition to his robbery warrant, Carter also had a warrant out of Manatee County for a traffic offense.

Carter was also charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, Resisting Arrest without Violence and Violation of Probation.

He remains in the Manatee County Jail in lieu of a bail bond of $2,250.

Manatee County Sheriff's Office:
1 of 2 Bank Robbers Busted;
Other Still At Large

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Tony Nealy, 22, of Sarasota, and charged him with Armed Robbery.

Above, L to R, surveillance photo and Tony Nealy

Nealy was arrested in connection with a bank robbery on March 1, 2010, at the BB&T Bank located at 5375 University Parkway in south Manatee County.

According to witnesses, two men entered the bank, jumped over the counter, and demanded money.

The robbers took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the bank on foot.

Nealy was the taller robber wearing a yellow ski type hat (see photo above).

Nealy was developed as a suspect from evidence collected at the scene.

A warrant for Armed Robbery was obtained and Nealy was arrested in Sarasota late Thursday night. He was booked into the Sarasota County Jail.

Detectives are working to identify the second robber.

Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .

Callers to the CrimeStoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Man, 26, Arrested for Child
Abuse of Boy, 2; Boy Had
Urinated on Himself

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Albert Keith Freeman, 26, of 703 14th Street East, Bradenton.

Albert Keith Freeman

According to the arrest report, on Feb. 25, 2010, a detective received a report reference allegations of child abuse.

According to that report, an unnamed 2-year-old boy was attending day care at 7224 Cortez Road West, Bradenton, and a bruise was discovered on his buttocks by day care personnel who were assisting the boy in pulling down his pants so he could urinate.

An investigation was begun and when the detective asked the boy who he got the bruise on his buttocks, he stated, "Keith spanked me."

The detective observed a red bruise on the buttocks, as well as a scratch on the left side of his leg. He also observed a red mark on the boy's right leg.

When Keith Freeman was interviewed, he told detectives he was trying to teach the boy to use a portable toilet and that he had urinated on himself at about four times that day.

Keith said he got frustrated and grabbed the boy and spanked him twice.

Keith said he felt sorry for what he did and believes that he may have struck the child too hard.

Keith was arrested on Thursday, March 4, 2010, and charged with Child Abuse.

He was later released from the Manatee County Jail on his own recognizance.

Teenager Busted for
Trafficking Oxycodone
After Traffic Stop

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Jared Tanner Mclaughlin, 18, of the 4700 block of 30th Avenue East, Bradenton.

Jared Tanner Mclaughlin

The arrest report said Jared was stopped for running a stop sign on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at about 8:15 p.m. in the 3300 block of 49th Avenue East, Bradenton.

Jared was issued a citation for the traffic offense and deputies asked if they could search his vehicle.

Jared protested and was upset.

Nevertheless, deputies searched the vehicle and found a Gunk Puncture Seal can in the back seat with a false bottom. Upon opening the can, a deputy found a pill container with a large amount of pills inside.

At that point, Jared became very upset. He told deputies the pills were Roxicodone and he buys them for $15 each and uses them for himself. He denied selling them.

The pills were identified as 30 mg Roxicodone. There were 74 pills in the container.

Jared also had $597 in his wallet.

Jared was arrested and charged with Trafficking in a Controlled Substance.

He was booked into the Manatee County Jail, where he remains in lieu of a $20,000 bail bond.

Sex Offender Arrested for
Falsely Reporting Address

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Friday, March 5, 2010, Detective Kim Zink of the Manatee County Sherif's Office Sex Offender Unit charged Justin Pederson, 30, of 6028 66th Street Circle East, Palmetto, with a sex offender violation.

Justin Pederson

A report from Det. Zink said Justin Pederson was recently arrested on multiple burglary charges in February. He bonded out on those charges on Feb. 27th.

Upon release from jail, he moved out of his residence and moved to the above listed residence.

Two days later he made contact with the Sex Offender Unit and told us he was still at his old address at 22211 27th Avenue East, Bradenton, but he "might" be moving to a new address (66th Street Circle East).

He was told that if he moved out to a new address he needed to take care of his FDLE obligations with DHSMV. However, the defendant did not. He had already moved to the new address without notifying DHSMV.

On March 3, 2010, Det. Zink completed a warrant for Failing to Notify DHSMV of a Change within 48 hours.

Pederson was located at his new/current residence.

He is currently in the Manatee County Jail with a $250,000 bond.

Closet Fire Started by Having
Space Heater Close to Clothes

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at about 8:15 a.m., Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue to a structure fire at 1301 Harvard Avenue West, Bradenton.

Emergency units arrived at 8:17 a.m., two minutes after the call went out.

A small closet fire was extinguished with a hand line by fire crews.

The structure was ventilated of smoke.

Two adult neighbors were treated for smoke inhalation by EMS. Neither was transported.

There were no injuries to the four adults and one infant residing in the home.

The residence sustained moderate fire and smoke damage, which was estimated at $6,500.

The cause of the fire was determined to be unintentional/accidental from an electric space heater coming in contact with clothes in the closet.

No firefighters were injured, Battalion Chief Al Lobeto said.

A working smoke detector was installed by Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue units on scene, a press release said.

Rabies Warning Issued After
Vicious Otter Attack

SARASOTA COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Sarasota County Health Department issued a rabies alert on Friday, March 5, 2010, after a vicious attack by an otter that later tested positive for rabies.

Above, a typical otter eating a fish

According to a report from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at about 4:30 a.m., victim Morrell Denton, 96, was walking northbound in the 300 block of Venice East Blvd. when an otter emerged from the brush and attacked him.

Another victim, Christopher Janssen, 36, and a witness, Raymond Duval, 53, observed Denton on the ground being attacked by the otter and used garden tools to fend off the animal. Then they called 9-1-1.

Both Denton and Janssen sustained injuries and went to Venice Hospital Emergency Room for treatment. Duval was uninjured.

The animal was thought to be deceased; however, it began to retreat back to the brush and had to be put down as it was considered dangerous to the public.

Animal Services responded and took the otter as part of its investigation for further examination. It tested positive for rabies.

Another otter also tested positive for rabies in mid-February after attacking two horses in Sarasota County.

A rabies alert was then issued.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease affecting the nervous system. The virus is spread through saliva and can be passed to another animal or a person, usually through a bite. Infection may also occur if the saliva enters open wounds, the mouth, or eyes of another animal or person, the Health Department said.

Anyone with information about this investigation can contact the Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Office at 941-861-9500.

Man, 33, Arrested for Taking
Video of Girl, 13, in Shower

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Charlotte County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit detectives arrested a Port Charlotte man for using his cell phone to take videos of a 13-year-old girl in the shower.

Honori "Ray" Alexander Johnson

On Thursday, March 4, 2010, detectives arrested Honori “Ray” Alexander Johnson, 33, 19505 Quesada Ave., and charged him with felony Video Voyeurism.

Johnson put a hole in a sock and inserted his cell phone inside, then placed it in a pile of clothes in the bathroom.

The girl saw the suspicious sock after she got out of the shower and noticed the video was recording.

She told her mother, Johnson’s girlfriend, that the phone was lined up with the shower.

She looked at the video on the cell phone and it showed her undressing and getting in the shower naked.

The incident occurred Feb. 25 and a check of the cell phone showed two additional videos of the girl taking a shower on Jan. 26 and 27. Detectives said the video dated Jan. 27 showed Johnson setting up the cell phone in clothes on the bathroom floor.

MCU detectives also confiscated Johnson’s laptop computer for the CCSO Computer Crimes Unit.

Johnson was transported to the Charlotte County Jail where he posted a $2,500 bond and was released.

Charlotte Sheriff Raids Casino
with Illegal Card Games

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Friday morning, March 5, 2010, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit detectives raided the All-In Social Club & Private Lounge casino business at 1700 Tamiami Trail, Unit D-2, in Murdock.

Above, illegal gambling machines
(Photo by Robert Carpenter, CCSO PIO)

Detectives said the CCSO received numerous tips of illegal card games (Texas Hold-Em) being played at this location and have been investigating the business for two months collecting evidence before seeking a search warrant Friday.

Detectives have so far arrested six people.

Since a felony was committed at the business, all gaming equipment on premises, including some 50 slot machines, were removed under the forfeiture law. Florida Statute 849.01 refers to gambling table violations and any employee or renter charged is a third degree felon; any patron caught playing is guilty of a misdemeanor.

NEW TECHNOLOGY:
Cops Say GPS in Bank Bag
Used To Track Bank Robber

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- A bank robber was arrested Thursday morning, March 4, 2010, in Daytona Beach after authorities tracked him to a home by using GPS after a device was implanted inside a money bag, Orlando television station WKMG reported.

The robbery occurred at about 9:45 a.m. at the Riverside Bank at 1060 W. International Speedway.

According to Daytona Beach police, a man entered the bank and told a teller, “I don’t want to hurt anybody, I just really need money."

The teller gave the man some money, which contained a tracking device, police said.

Police used GPS to track the bag to Halifax Medical Center, where a man was questioned but released. The bag was then tracked to a home on Essex Road near Madison Avenue, about two miles from the bank, and Bobby Ray Earl was arrested.

The tracking devices can be as small as a quarter and the batteries can last up to 10 hours.

"Modern technology. I've got to tell you, it's a tremendous thing," Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood said. "How we have bank robberies in today's society, I don't know. If every bank invested in this technology -- and I'm not going to get into exactly what they did -- it's virtually undetectable, but the bad guy's got to take the money. They ain't going to throw the money away."

The device pinpointed Earl's exact location, and Garrett Jacoby of Goldstar GPS said the technology will only get better over time.

Jacoby said the units cost around $500, WKMG said.

Clothing used in the robbery, the money and the GPS device were found inside the home, and Earl has admitted to robbing the bank, police said.

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NewsManatee Archive Created 3/13/2010 2:00:06 PM

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