Ocala, Florida — What would prevent McDonald’s management from calling 911 to report an attempted armed robbery at 1 a.m?
Ocala Police said they responded to the McDonald’s located at 3595 West Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, Florida, in reference to an attempted armed robbery…that had occurred an hour earlier.
An employee told police that he was working the drive-thru at approximately 1:02 a.m., when someone placed an order for $1.82.
When the suspect vehicle pulled up to the window, the driver asked for the price of the order again. When the employee responded, the driver, who was holding a black handgun, said, “How about you give me the cash register.”
According to reports, the gun was pointed directly at the employee.
The employee stated that he didn’t know what to do and just “froze.” He told police he couldn’t move and the would-be robber eventually drove away.
The employee told police that he immediately told his manager what had happened and returned to work.
Police then spoke with the manager.
The manager told police that she did not witness the attempted robbery, but did attempt to contact her store manager.
When police asked why she waited so long to call police, the manager stated that the store was “very busy” and she didn’t have time to call 911.
Police said at 2:12 a.m., the manager finally decided to call police.
The vehicle is described as a dark blue Toyota 4-door car. The driver was a thin white male wearing a gray “hoodie” with a “beanie” under the hood. The passenger was wearing an orange “hoodie.” The employee said he did not get a look at the passenger.
The investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information about this crime, call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Angel Oliver [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — Ocala Police said on Wednesday, at approximately 11:10 p.m, Officer Casey Walsh discovered a crash that had just occurred at the intersection of Southwest 16th Avenue and State Road 200.
A black Chevrolet SUV had rear-ended a blue Buick sedan.
The driver of the SUV, later identified as convicted felon, Angel Nicole Oliver, 28, and the occupants of the Buick had been involved in a verbal altercation prior to the crash occurring.
Officer Walsh said that when she approached Oliver she could immediately smell alcohol. Officer Walsh called Officer William Joedicke to respond for a possible DUI investigation.
According to reports, Oliver’s speech was slow and “very slurred.”
While awaiting the arrival of Officer Joedicke, Officer Walsh observed Natural Ice beer in the front seat of her SUV and a small child sitting in a car seat in the back seat of Oliver’s vehicle.
When Officer Walsh asked Oliver if she had anyone else in the vehicle, Oliver reached behind the front seats and lifted up a second small child from the floorboard, where the child had landed when the car seat overturned during the crash.
The two children were found to be 18-month-old twins; neither were secured in their car seats nor were the car seats secured into the car.
During the investigation, it was also discovered that Oliver is currently pregnant.
Department of Children and Families was contacted in reference to the children. The father of the children responded to the scene and accompanied them to the hospital, where they were examined.
Oliver failed all roadside sobriety tests and was placed under arrest.
During the breathalyzer test, she blew a .236.
She was transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with DUI.
She is being held on $1,000 bond.
Oliver has previous arrests for Battery, Aggravated Battery (x2), Obstruction of Justice, and Violation of Probation.
Johnny Graybeal [MCSO]Ocala, Florida — On Wednesday, at approximately 11:14 p.m, Ocala police responded to the 3900 block of East State Road 40, in reference to a pedestrian that had been struck by a vehicle.
Upon arrival, officers found that pedestrian, Johnny Graybeal, 53, had been struck by a 2015 red Hyundai Elantra driven by Patricia D. Sexton. She had been travelling eastbound in the inside lane when Graybeal stepped in front of her vehicle.
A witness told police that Graybeal had been sitting on the sidewalk on the south side of the roadway prior to the crash when he got up and walked into the roadway.
The witness warned Graybeal about the approaching vehicle by shouting s out a warning. Graybeal then looked up and attempted to run the rest of the way across the two lanes to the center median.
Graybeal’s actions put him directly in the path of the oncoming vehicle.
Graybeal was critically injured and trauma alerted to a local hospital.
According to reports, Graybeal was heavily intoxicated and found to have a Blood Alcohol Level of above a .30.
According to police, there were no indications of excessive speed or impairment on the part of the driver.
Graybeal, who is homeless, is well-known to Ocala police for his drinking. He has been arrested 44 times, most of which were for drinking related offenses.
Most that have met him say he is an extremely nice guy.
As of this morning, Graybeal was still listed in critical condition.
Ocala, Florida — On Wednesday, Ocala Police received a call from a 57-year-old man who stated he was held at gunpoint in the 1400 block of Northwest 1st Avenue, Ocala.
The man told police he was leaving his friends house when he was approached by two black males riding bicycles.
According to the police report, one of the men pulled out a black handgun and stated, “F**k n***er, gimmie’ what you got.”
The victim told the two men he didn’t have any money, and pulled out his wallet to show them.
The victim stated that one of the men then said, “I should shoot you right now.”
Both men then jumped on their bicycles and pedalled away from the scene.
The men are described as being 21 to 25-years-old. They were both wearing black hoodies and dark colored pants and shoes. One of the males was short and stocky and the other was tall and thin.
Both men are now wanted for Attempted Robbery with a Firearm.
If you have any information about this crime, call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Brandon Lauderbaugh [left] and Shellie Lee Campbell.Lakeland, Florida — On Wednesday, March 11, 2015, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims detectives arrested 27-year-old Shellie Lee Campbell and her live-in boyfriend, 29-year-old Brandon Lauderbaugh, of 2642 Timbercreek Loop West, Lakeland, and charged both with one count each Child Neglect with Great Bodily Harm (F-2).
The two have been dating for five months.
Lauderbaugh, who has been in the Polk County Jail on six prior occasions, was additionally charged with Violation of Probation – original charge, Aggravated Battery with Deadly Weapon.
According to their arrest affidavits, a 17-month-old girl, who was in the care of Campbell and Lauderbaugh had a facial fracture, contusions to both eyes, and was vomiting as a result of the severe injuries.
Neither Campbell or Lauderbaugh sought medical treatment for the toddler for several days.
The injuries occurred on or around February 24, 2015. The toddler was not taken to a hospital until February 28, 2015.
Instead of seeking medical treatment for the badly injured toddler, Campbell and Lauderbaugh, who were aware of the injuries, ran errands and went to a flea market.
After being seen at Lake Regional Medical Center, the toddler was transported to Tampa General Hospital.
A medical exam revealed that the toddler suffered a fracture of the left tibia (lower leg) that was four weeks old; a lesion on the proximal tibia (upper leg) that was two to four weeks old; an acute large right temporal fracture; swelling of the forehead; contusions under both eyes; contusions on her jaw and under her chin; and internal bleeding in her skull where the fracture was inflicted. According to doctors, the injuries were consistent with a severe case of child abuse, in which “extreme blunt force was used.”
Doctors said the injuries were caused by force, twisting or shaking, and blunt impact.
Campbell or Lauderbaugh lied to detectives and said the toddler suffers from Osteogensis Imperfecta, a genetic disorder which causes bones to break easily.
However, the victim has no documented medical history for this disorder.
The suspects could not explain the victims’ recent injuries, except to say she fell off of a bed and off of a tricycle sometime during the week.
“Their story is not consistent with the thorough medical examinations performed by pediatric physicians at Tampa General Hospital,” detectives said.
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter [Antony Joseph | U.S. Army | Getty Imags]According to officials, Seven Marines and four soldiers were missing early Wednesday following an Army helicopter crash in Florida, near Pensacola. All of the servicemen are presumed to be dead.
Eglin Air Force Base spokesman Andy Bourland said, “A search and rescue operation was launched after one of two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters participating in a routine nighttime training mission crashed.” He added, “The helicopter went down over water.”
Bourland said the missing Marines were from a special operations regiment out of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The helicopters and air crew were assigned to the Army National Guard unit out of Hammond, Louisiana.
Officials said a Coast Guard vessel recovered debris including the downed chopper’s tail rotor overnight. Searchers also found debris in the Okaloosa Island area near Eglin at about 2 a.m.
Bourland said they believe bad weather and heavy fog played a part in the crash. The crash scene is near a remote stretch of beach between Pensacola and Destin.
“Sadly, we have found some human remains,” Bourland said.
Bourland said finding the 11 servicemen dead was the military’s worst fear.
In this Ocala Post 2015 file photo, Sheriff Chris Blair speaks to the media about the Bureau of Homeland Security and Professional Compliance.
Ocala, Florida — For the first time in 11 years, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) increased the agency’s starting salary for entry-level deputies – from $28,520 to $32,094. The increase went into effect on January 25, 2015.
Existing deputies received a 3 percent raise on October 1, 2014.
The funding for the salary adjustment was taken from monies that had accrued from approximately 40 vacant positions that the sheriff’s office has not been able to fill. The vacant positions were the direct result of the sheriff’s office not being able to attract applicants under the previous salary structure. And, while the sheriff’s office has been able to save monies through attrition and cutting top-heavy positions, the primary funding source for the salary adjustment was vacancies. Therefore, no additional costs to taxpayers were accrued.
Marion County Sheriff Chris Blair came to the decision as a result of the independent salary survey that was completed on June 26, 2014, by Evergreen Solutions, LLC.
According to the study, MCSO starting deputy pay was 28 percent below its target peer respondents at sheriff’s offices in surrounding counties. However, even with the salary adjustment, it still leaves the sheriff’s office lagging at 13 percent below market for entry-level deputies and 20.2 percent below market on all benchmarked positions throughout the agency. Forty-eight of the 55 (87.3 percent) positions are behind market minimum by an average of 24.6 percent.
What do these numbers mean in layman’s terms? It means if the starting pay stays significantly lower than the market offers, MCSO will find itself losing out to its market peers (higher paying sheriff’s offices) when it seeks to fill a position. Additionally, if pay remains significantly lower than the market, experienced employees could leave for greener pastures.
In fact, that is exactly what has happened. From 2008 to 2013, MCSO has doubled its loss of experienced deputies who had five or more years vested. At that rate, the treadmill of employees leaving was spinning faster and faster, making it impossible for MCSO to fill the vacant positions at the same rate.
As cadets in previous graduating classes with the police academy graduated, MCSO was lucky to have one applicant. And even if MSCO did get applicants, many could not make it through a background check, polygraph, physical fitness test, or drug test.
Since MCSO announced its salary increase in January, it has received multiple applicants. Sadly, in previous years, only one out of every 10 applicants made the cut. The sheriff’s office is hoping these statistics will change.
The salary adjustment, of course, has not come without scrutiny.
Some citizens, including county leaders, do not believe public safety should be a priority. Public safety not only includes law enforcement, but also fire rescue.
Marion County is the 14th most populated county out of the 67 counties in Florida, and most agencies have pay scales based upon population.
In 2013, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the MCSO was in the bottom 10 for deputy salaries even though Marion County has a population of approximately 335,000 residents. The average population for a county in the bottom 10 is 14,464, with the lowest population at 8,618 in Lafayette County. The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office has a starting salary of $26,000.
The MCSO, however, is not salaried based upon the population in Marion County. As previously stated, even with the salary adjustment, they are lagging by at least 13 percent behind their peers.
However, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners has made sure its salaries were in line with Marion County being 14th in the state.
Records show that if commissioners decreased their salaries and took a hit as public safety has, they would make somewhere in the neighborhood of $30,000 per year, instead of approximately $80,000 per year.
According to county documents, not only has the board failed to adequately fund the sheriff’s office, but also the percentage of the total county budget for the sheriff’s office has steadily decreased from 17 percent of the county budget to 13 percent over the past decade. If the sheriff’s office still received 17 percent of the total county budget, its budget would be more than $92 million — or approximately $23 million more than its current actual budget.
But wait, didn’t the sheriff’s office get a $7,442,486 million increase for the 2014-2015 fiscal year budget?
On paper yes, but a closer look revealed some disturbing facts.
According to page 272-273 of the “Adopted Line Item Budget” for fiscal year 2014-2015, the MSTU (Municipal Services Taxing Units) for law enforcement was increased by $7,442,486 million (from $32,096,108 million in 2013 to $39,538,594 million in 2015). But the sheriff’s office actually only saw $1,302,465 million of the increase.
County records show that the Marion County Clerk’s Office has been taking funds from the MSTU to pay for Public Safety Communications, the Tax Collector and Property Appraiser, and something called the “Central Services Cost Allocation,” which was created by the Marion County Clerk of the Court.
The BCC continually tells the public and media outlets that the sheriff’s office received an increase of $7,442,486 million in its budget.
However, the following items were subtracted from the latest MSTU law enforcement budget before the funds ever made it to the sheriff’s office:
Beginning Balance $7,442,486 (What the BCC says the sheriff’s office received)
– Public Safety Communications $806,367
– Tax Collector $166,443
– Property Appraiser $98,549
– Central Services Cost Allocation $376,930
– Reserves $4,691,731
Ending Balance $1,302,465 (What the sheriff’s office actually received)
While Marion County residents are focused on tax increases, they should be worried about how the taxes they are currently paying for MSTU law enforcement are being disbursed. In fact, the percentage of the MSTU for law enforcement tax revenue actually appropriated to the sheriff’s office has decreased from 92 percent in 2013 to 78 percent in 2015. A full 22 percent of the MSTU for law enforcement tax revenue is not being received by the sheriff’s office.
It should also be known that when the Public Safety Communications Center was created more than two decades ago, the funding was always paid from the countywide budget. However, when the BCC decided to take over communications, it began deducting a significant portion of funds from the MSTU for law enforcement.
Since Sheriff Blair took office in 2013, the “Central Services Cost Allocation” budget was increased from $64,896 to $441,826 for the 2014-2015 fiscal year budget, which was deducted from the MSTU.
To try and understand exactly what “Central Services Cost Allocation” was, Ocala Post reached out to Michael E. Tomich, CPA, Budget Director for the Marion County Clerk of Court.
Tomich wrote in an e-mail:
“The payment from the MSTU for Law Enforcement fund for Central Services Cost Allocation serves as a reimbursement to the countywide General Fund for the cost of support services provided for the Sheriff Patrol and Criminal Investigation functions. Such support services include pro-rated amounts for Finance, Budget and Auditing as well as for the County Clinic and Facilities Management. An annual cost allocation study is performed by outside specialists in this field who utilize various distribution factors appropriate to each of the services provided. Cost allocation is similarly assessed to numerous other functions in the County including Transportation, Building Permits, Fire Rescue, Water & Sewer Utilities, Storm water Improvements and numerous other MSTUs for Recreation, Roads, Street Lighting and General Services.
The benefit of cost allocation is to all taxpayers of the County in that it ensures that the total cost of a service that is provided to limited areas of the County is fully funded by those taxpayers in the service area. The MSTU for Law Enforcement operates in limited areas of the County, primarily those areas outside of city limits. Allocation of countywide General Fund costs for support of the MSTU for Law Enforcement serves to provide tax equity among all County taxpayers.
The vast majority of the recent increase in cost allocation is due to the inclusion of charges for Facilities Management. This recommendation from our cost allocation consultant provides that the cost for maintenance of buildings and grounds attributable to the MSTU for Law Enforcement will no longer be funded by all County taxpayers. Rather, such costs are now equitably shared with taxpayers within the service area of the MSTU for Law Enforcement.”
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Taxpayers are led to believe that the taxes they pay for law enforcement are actually going to law enforcement, but as Ocala Post discovered, that is not true.
Residents pay into the MSTU for law enforcement just to have the funds stripped from the sheriff’s office budget and utilized for other county functions.
“The MSTU for Law Enforcement operates in limited areas of the County, primarily those areas outside of city limits.” What if the sheriff’s office should make a traffic stop, serve a warrant, arrest a drunk driver, or provide helicopter support within the city limits?
“Cost allocation was proposed to the County Commission by our office as an organized method to properly share costs in replacement of numerous ad-hoc cost sharing transfers among funds that were taking place at the time. Cost allocation is a widely accepted practice to resolve funding equity issues,” Tomich said.
But just because it is “accepted,” does that make it right?
According to public records, the sheriff’s office is charged $1,615,557 million for facility management, from which a portion is also taken from MSTU for law enforcement. The county’s total Facility Management budget was $6,057,935 million.
Some of the charges included in the $6 million Facility Management budget are: General & Administrative Costs, Work Orders, Maintenance Staffing Costs, Maintenance & Supplies, Utility Services, Custodial Services, Pest Control, Landscaping and Lawn Services, and Courier Services.
The sheriff’s office utilizes inmates for landscaping and lawn maintenance, labor for painting and other projects, and janitorial services. The sheriff’s office also has its own courier, pest control services, and is the only constitutional office that pays its own utilities. The $1,615,557 million charged to the sheriff’s office from the cost allocations is only for Work Orders, Staffing Costs, Maintenance & Supplies, and Lawn & Landscape Services.
The cost of the county’s internal auditor is also allocated and deducted from the MCSO’s budget in the amount of $38,911. A spokesperson from the sheriff’s office said they do their own financial statements as well as pay their own auditor, so they are not sure why they are required to pay for the internal auditor.
Tomich told Ocala Post that charges would be costs of maintenance not performed by inmates. According this document, it would appear that some of the aforementioned costs are being deducted from the budget even though inmates performed the work.
Many surrounding counties do not seem to have this issue. The BCC within those counties recognizes the importance of public safety, including fire rescue, and makes sure there is adequate funding for public safety employees as well as safety equipment.
In 2014, Ocala Post reported that the Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) and the MCSO were having vehicle issues. The MCSO has had patrol vehicles “break down” while en route to calls, and MCFR while transporting patients to a hospital.
In one instance, a MCFR unit caught fire while it was in the ambulance bay at a local hospital. Another unit arrived and extinguished the fire.
Is it okay that citizens lives are being put at risk?
Is it okay for deputies and firefighters, who put their lives on the line every day, to be approached and offered food stamps, while commissioners ensure the budget is plentiful enough for their own salaries?
While a sane person could agree that public safety should be the number one priority in any county, some of the elected officials in Marion County seem to disagree.
Ocala Post wants to hear from you. What do you think?
Washington — On Tuesday, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), during a news conference on Capitol Hill announced they are proposing legislation that would legalize state medical marijuana programs under federal law and reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
“Today we join together to say enough is enough,” Booker told a packed room. “Our federal government has long overstepped the boundaries of common sense, fiscal prudence and compassion with its marijuana laws. These laws must change.”
“I dare any senator to meet with the patients here and say to them they don’t deserve the medicine their doctors prescribe,” a fervent Gillibrand said, describing opposition to medical marijuana as “clearly a case of ideology getting in the way of scientific progress.”
In 2014, Congress voted to ban federal prosecutors and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from spending fiscal year 2015 funds to go after state medical marijuana laws, but that vote did not change the underlying law.
If the bill were to pass, it would prevent the DEA from raiding shops that are operating legally.
Paul said most people believe medical marijuana should be legal for patients because “if you don’t believe in medical marijuana you believe in putting that person in jail.”
Currently, 23 states and the District of Columbia have legalized and regulate medical marijuana. An additional 12 states have laws on the books or are about to be signed into law by their governors regulating cannabidiol (CBD) oils, a non-psychotropic component of medical marijuana which some parents are utilizing to treat their children’s seizures.
Four states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use.
March 10th was the official start of the 2015/2016 NFL season, which means free agency has started and teams are officially able to sign free agents to their teams and they haven’t wasted any time. Some big name players already agreed to terms with teams before free agency began but weren’t able to make it official until today.
Free Agents on the Move:
Ndamukong Suh: Suh was arguably the best free agent on the market this year and the best free agent that has been available the past few seasons. The Detroit Lions decided not to use their franchise tag on Suh making him a free agent. Using the tag on Suh would’ve cost the Lions $26.9 million in 2015. Suh officially signed with the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday. Suh signed a six-year deal worth around $114 million with $60 million of that deal being guaranteed.
Jeremy Maclin: Maclin was the best available receiver on the market this year, Randall Cobb most likely would’ve been the most sought after receiver this year had he not re-signed with the Packers before free agency started. Maclin left the Philadelphia Eagles and signed with his old coach Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs. The extent of the contract hasn’t been completely released yet but it is said to be around $11 million a year.
Darrelle Revis: Revis just won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots but the Patriots didn’t want to pick up his 2015 option worth around $25 million so they cut Revis with hopes of resigning him to a smaller contract. Instead of defending his Super Bowl with the Patriots, Revis decided to return to the New York Jets. Revis’ deal is a five-year worth $70 million.
Mike Iupati: The best guard on the free agent market and one of the best offensive linemen on the market this year. Iupati decided to leave the 49ers but not leave the division. Iupati agreed on a deal with the division rival Arizona Cardinals. The deal is a five-year deal worth around $40 million with $22.5 million guaranteed. The $8 million dollar average makes Iupati the highest paid offensive lineman on the Cardinals.
Julius Thomas: There is no question Julius Thomas was the top free agent on the market this year at his position. Thomas made the decision to ditch Peyton Manning and the Broncos to sign with Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thomas hasn’t officially signed with the Jaguars yet but when he does it is expected to be worth $20.5 million with $8 million guaranteed.
Frank Gore: With Murray not biting on any teams yet many other teams went after Gore to solidify their backfield. Gore first agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles before free agency began but in the past days he had second thoughts. Gore made his final decision and signed with the Indianapolis Colts, a move that will benefit the Colts greatly as they haven’t had a solid back with Andrew Luck under center. Gore’s deal was reported to be a three-year $12 million deal.
Byron Maxwell: In a free agent market with many top cornerbacks available, Maxwell seemed to be the one everyone had their eyes on. Maxwell played extremely well opposite of Richard Sherman last year. Despite the Seahawks historical run on defense, Maxwell decided to leave the Legion of Boom and sign with the Philadelphia Eagles. Maxwell’s deal with the Eagles is a six-year deal worth $60 million with $25 million being guaranteed.
Torrey Smith: Smith has been a quiet producer for the Baltimore Ravens the past few seasons. Smith ultimately decided to sign with the San Francisco 49ers, a deal that will greatly help the 49ers replace the void left by Michael Crabtree who is most likely leave the Bay area. Smith’s deal is a five-year $40 million deal with $22 million guaranteed.
Darnell Dockett: After being cut by the Arizona Cardinals, Dockett wasted no time in agreeing to a deal with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers offered a two-year $7.5 million deal with Dockett earning $4 million this season. The Cardinals declined to counter the 49ers offer with a deal of their own that would be similar to that.
Jacoby Jones: Jones signed a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers worth $2.5 million the first year and $3 million in 2016.
Michael Oher: Oher signed a two-year $7 million deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Todd Herremans: After 10 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Herremans is leaving and signing with the Indianapolis Colts. Herremans deal hasn’t been specified yet.
Brian Hoyer: After starting most of the year for the Cleveland Browns, Hoyer left the quarterback controversy in Cleveland and joined the quarterback controversy in Houston. Brian Hoyer and the Houston Texans agreed on a two-year $7 million deal.
Ted Ginn Jr.: Ginn Jr. is leaving the Arizona Cardinals and returning to the Carolina Panthers on a two-year deal worth $4.2 million.
Brian Hartline: Ohio native Hartline has agreed to a deal with the Cleveland Browns worth $6 million over a two-year span.
Cary Williams: The Philadelphia Eagles cut cornerback Cary Williams who they later replaced by signing former Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell. The Seahawks wasted no time in replacing Byron Maxwell as they signed the former Eagle as his replacement. Williams agreed to join the Seahawks and the Legion of Boom for three-years worth $18 million.
Trent Cole: If any Super Bowl contender needs help in the pass rush and on the edge the Indianapolis Colts certainly are on top. Colts are working to fix their problems on the defensive line and are going in the right direction by signing Cole.
Shane Vereen: Vereen’s run with the New England Patriots is coming to an end as he has agreed to a deal with the New York Giants.
Harry Douglas: Douglas has gotten quite a lot of time to prove himself when either Julio Jones or Roddy White were hurt in Atlanta and he’s finally cashing in. Douglas has agreed to a deal with the Tennessee Titans. The deal is reported to be over the span of three-years but no exact numbers have been specified.
Tyvon Branch: Branch has decided to leave the Oakland Raiders but stay in the AFC West. Branch and the Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to a deal. The deal is only over the span of one-year.
Pernell McPhee: McPhee is leaving the Ravens and signing a five-year contract worth almost $40 million with the Chicago Bears.
James Carpenter: Carpenter’s time in Seattle is coming to an end as he has agreed to a deal with the New York Jets. Carpenter signed a four-year deal worth roughly $5 million a year.
Jared Odrick: Odrick is leaving the Miami Dolphins but not the state of Florida. Odrick agreed to a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the deal is reported to be worth $8.5 million a year with $22 million guaranteed.
Players Not Going Anywhere:
Dez Bryant: The Cowboys were in a tough situation, either use their franchise tag on DeMarco Murray or Dez Bryant. The Cowboys decided on Bryant and are hoping to re-sign Murray. Putting a tag on Bryant will pay him $12.8 million in 2015.
Randall Cobb: The Packers weren’t going to let one of their best playmakers leave. Not only did the Packers make sure Cobb didn’t leave, they made sure he’s here to stay by re-signing him to a four-year $40 million contract.
Stephen Gostkowski: Gostkowski is staying with the Patriots. The Patriots decided to use their franchise tag on Gostkowski.
Justin Houston: The 2014 NFL sack leader isn’t going anywhere. The Kansas City Chiefs used their franchise tag to keep their pass rushing linebacker.
Demaryius Thomas: A wide receiver as big as Thomas that can rack up the yards after catch that Thomas does are rare, few and far between and that’s exactly why the Denver Broncos used their franchise tag on Thomas.
Devin McCourty: McCourty is staying with the New England Patriots after agreeing to a five-year $47.5 million deal.
Brandon Flowers: Chargers were able to keep their elite cornerback by re-signing him to a four-year $36 million deal.
Mark Ingram: The Saints signed back their leading rusher from last season and former Heisman winner Ingram.
Jason Pierre-Paul: The New York Giants had all intentions of re-signing their star defensive end and when they couldn’t reach a agreed deal they used their franchise tag on him.
Offseason Trades:
Kiko Alonso and Lesean McCoy: The Bills and Eagles reached a deal where they would swap players Alonso and McCoy. Adding McCoy to their offense will only help the Bills as they continue to be one of the fastest rising NFL teams.
Nick Foles and Sam Bradford: After re-signing quarterback Mark Sanchez, Chip Kelly and the Eagles shipped Foles to St. Louis for quarterback Sam Bradford. Draft picks were also exchanged in the trade.
Seahawks and Jimmy Graham: This is the blockbuster trade of the offseason as the Seahawks receive pro-bowl tight end Jimmy Graham and a fourth-round draft pick for pro-bowl center Max Unger and the 31st overall pick in the 2015 draft. The Seahawks added a much needed weapon to their passing game but might have taken a hit in the running game by trading away their best lineman.
Brandon Marshall and the Jets: The Jets received wide receiver Brandon Marshall from the Bears and the Bears 7th round draft pick. The Jets only had to give up their 5th round pick but are going to eat up the rest of Marshall’s contract.
Haloti Ngata to the Detroit Lions: The Lions quickly found their replacement for Suh as they reached a deal with the Baltimore Ravens to receive Ngata in a trade for their fourth and fifth-round picks.
Calling it a Career:
Jake Locker: Tennessee Titans quarterback Jack Locker announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 26. Locker said he no longer has the fire to play the sport of football has a job anymore.
Patrick Willis: Willis announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday. Willis was at the top of his game but also had injury problems in the recent years. Willis’ announcement shocked the league; Willis later explained that his decision to retire was related to his injury issues.
Kevin McGill [Photo courtesy of WSBTV]Georgia — According to Sandy Springs, Georgia officials, Kevin McGill, 48, a Georgia sanitation worker for Waste Management Inc., was sentenced to 30 days in jail for picking up trash too early in the morning.
City officials said they have an ordinance in place that prohibits trash from being picked up too early in upper class neighborhoods. They said trash can only be serviced between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., so residents are not disturbed early in the morning.
McGill had only been on the job three months when he was cited for picking up the trash at 5 a.m.
According to Chief Persecutor, Bill Riley, early trash pick-up has been an issue in the area. He said fines didn’t work, so they are going to start jailing people.
Riley said, “Sandy Springs residents, who include professional athletes and executives for Delta Air Lines, start calling 911 when they hear early garbage men.” He added, “Punishing McGill was the right thing to do.”
McGill did not have an attorney and pleaded guilty, so the court imposed the maximum sentence.
McGill has since obtained Attorney Kimberly Bandoh , who said they will ask for a reduced sentence. She said there is no reason why a hard working man that shows up for a job early should be penalized.
Waste Management Inc., said McGill has a family and they will stand by him.
On Monday, after heavy media attention, prosecutors announced they would amend his sentence, saying in a statement, “The actions of the court with regards to Mr. McGill’s sentence for violating the city’s noise laws was disproportionate to a first-time offense.”
Homer Lawyer [left] and Steven SchaefferOcala, Florida — Ocala Police arrested a man they say fled from them in late February after police attempted to stop him.
According to reports, Officer Diesso and Detective Uptagraft were on foot patrol in the 1900 block of Northwest 1st Street, Ocala, when they saw a Volkswagen Beetle traveling at a high rate of speed on the wrong side of the road.
The officers, wearing full uniform and gear, stepped out into the roadway and signaled the driver, later identified as Homer B. Lawyer, 45, to stop. The officers reported that Lawyer looked right at them and kept going.
The officers then ran back to their parked patrol cars, at which time they attempted to catch up to Lawyer.
According to reports, Officer Diesso and Detective Uptagraft located the vehicle abandoned four streets north on Northwest 5th Street.
Officers reported that there was an open can of Red’s Apple Ale in the center console and it was still cold. There was also an open 12-pack on the front floorboard.
K-9 units were called out, but they were unable to locate Lawyer at that time.
The Volkswagen was then towed.
The next day, OPD received a call about an auto theft that had occurred in Carlton Arms Apartments. The victim stated that someone had stolen a Volkswagen Beetle, which was a rental car.
Surveillance video was obtained from management, but the driver could not be seen in the video.
According to reports, police then obtained video surveillance from the Kangaroo located at Northwest 60th Avenue and West Silver Springs Boulevard, one of the only 24-hour stores open in the area at the time Lawyer fled.
The video did show Lawyer purchasing beer, and they were able to use the video footage to identify him.
The officers discovered that Lawyer was out of jail on bond, so they contacted his bail bondsmen and obtained a current address. However, the address turned out to be Carlton Arms Apartments. Attempts to locate Lawyer at the complex failed.
Then, on March 9, Lawyer was located at 1954 Northwest 1st Street, Ocala. He was taken into custody and interviewed.
He told police he fled because he had been drinking and had a suspended drivers license. Lawyer then told police that he didn’t steal the car.
He said the car was loaned to him by Steven “Eric” Schaeffer, the person that reported it stolen. Lawyer said the two of them “get high together.” He even provided police with Schaeffer’s apartment number.
During the investigation, police learned that Schaeffer had filed a false auto theft report. He had also told police that the beer in the car was his property in an attempt to keep Lawyer out of trouble.
Lawyer was arrested and charged with Fleeing and Eluding Police, Driving while License Suspended, and Violation of Probation for Possession of Cocaine, Marijuana, and Drug Paraphernalia.
Lawyer is a convicted felon and has been arrested 13 times in Marion County.
Schaeffer was arrested at 4:45 p.m., Tuesday, and charged with Giving False Information about an Alleged Crime. His bond was set at $1000.00.
Port St. Lucie, Florida — A 14-year-old boy is accused of soliciting to have his family killed after the boy’s father found a note that looked like a murder-for-hire contract in the boy’s bedroom.
According to police, the note had been signed by the boy and his friend.
The note stated that the friend would kill the boy’s father, step-mother, and step-brother for $1,200.
The note read:
“I (name redacted) will be hit-man for hire for (defendant’s name redacted) to murder (names redacted). I am aware that if I do not go through with it I will not get paid. Money in question we agreed upon was 1200 dollars. I will leave in an hour or two within the murder.”
According to reports, the boy told detectives he had planned to have his family murdered and then make it look like something went wrong during a burglary.
The boy said the plan was for him to be in his room during the alleged burglary. He said after his parents were shot he would run over to a neighbor’s house and call 911.
Investigators said the boy did not have any cash or guns, but he had thought about getting access to guns since both his father and his friend’s father had guns and concealed weapons permits.
The boy’s father told police that he put keyed locks on his bedroom door because he was afraid his son was going to kill him in his sleep.
The boy’s friend told detectives he signed the contract, but thought it was a big joke.
Police said the 14-year-old was not joking at all, and that he had thought about killing his family more than once.
Police arrested and charged the boy for Solicitation to Commit First-Degree Murder. He is being held at the Palm Beach County juvenile detention center.
Investigators said there could be more charges. The State Attorney’s Office will decide whether to charge the boy as an adult.
The friend won’t face charges and is cooperating with the investigation.
Ocala Post is waiting on the boy’s name and photo to be released.
Ocklawaha, Florida — On Monday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a possible pipe bomb in a residential neighborhood in Ocklawaha.
The alleged pipe bomb was located in a yard in the 11700 block of Southeast 136th Court.
The woman told dispatch that she picked it up out of her yard and brought it into her home.
According to the MCSO, Deputy Counts responded to the scene, at which time the determination was made that it did in fact look like a pipe bomb.
The decision was then made to call out the entire bomb squad.
MCSO
X-rays could not provide the bomb squad with enough information to determine whether or not the pipe bomb was real. Therefore, a bomb squad robot was used to remove the alleged pipe bomb.
Afterwards, it was then taken to the Marion County Baseline Landfill, where it was blown up.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said no one should ever touch a potential explosive device or bring it into their home.
Peter Martin [Mugshots]Ocala, Florida — An Ocala man faces charges for DUI and Unlawful use of Police Badge Insignia after he was pulled over for weaving.
According to reports, Marion County Sheriff’s deputy, Gary Miller, saw a blue Dodge truck traveling northbound on 36th Avenue when it crossed over the fog line several times. As the deputy followed the truck, he also witnessed [it] roll through a stop sign at NE 25th Avenue.
Deputy Miller then initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Peter Martin, 59.
Deputy Miller reported he could smell a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the vehicle, and that Martin’s eyes were bloodshot and watery.
When Deputy Miller asked Martin how much he had to drink he showed the deputy a sheriff’s office pin. Martin stated, “I am working undercover right now.” Deputy Miller replied, “I do not recognize you.”
According to reports, Martin then changed his story. Martin told the deputy that he didn’t work for the sheriff’s office, but insisted he was looking for someone. Martin said, “If I find him, I will turn him in.”
Deputy Miller again asked Martin how much he had to drink, to which he replied, “My last drink was 15 minutes ago.”
Martin failed all roadside sobriety tests and refused to participate in a breathalyzer test.
He was transported to the Marion County Jail and later released on $14,000 bond.
Martin has previous arrests for DUI, Driving while License Suspended, and Resisting Arrest.
The pin that Martin had in his possession is typically given to those that complete the Marion County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy.
Ocala, Florida — The Ocala Police Department is currently investigating a shooting in the 2100 block of SE 15th Lane. The 911 call came in just before 1 a.m.
Initial reports to Ocala Post stated that a A 19-year-old male had allegedly accidentally shot himself in the face with a shotgun. However, according to information released by OPD, Daniel John Krysalka was shot in the face and killed by Jefferson Davis Guinn IV, 20, but not with a shotgun as initially reported.
Consequently, Guinn was arrested and charged with Manslaughter. He was later released on $30,000 bond.
According to the arrest affidavit, Krysalka and Guinn were in an upstairs bedroom looking at their weapons — a Kel-Tec .380-caliber and a Kel-Tec 9mm. A third person, Ethan Hayhurst, was also in the room.
According to OPD Detective Mat Steckman, Hayhurst said the three of them were talking about a party they had attended the night before where Guinn had allegedly pointed his unloaded gun at someone. Afterwards, people were scolding Guinn for his actions. Hayhurst said people told him that he shouldn’t have done that.
While the three were in the bedroom looking at the guns, Hayhurst made the comment that Guinn never cleaned his gun, the Kel-Tec 9mm. Hayhurst and Krysalka then told Guinn to take the gun apart so they could see how dirty it was.
According to reports, after taking it apart Guinn could not reassemble the weapon, so they watched a “how to” video on YouTube and Hayhurst put the gun together. Hasyhurst then handed the gun back to Guinn, at which point it was still unloaded.
Hayhurst said that Guinn was seated in a chair in front of Krysalka, who was seated on the floor.
Once Guinn was handed the gun, he inserted a magazine and racked a round into the chamber. Guinn then pointed it at Krysalka’s face and began making fun of people that had scolded him the night before for pointing an unloaded gun at someone. Hayhurst told the detective that the gun then fired and Krysalka fell backward. Hayhurst said Krysalka had blood running from his face.
According to reports, the bullet went through Krysalka’s mouth.
Every effort was made to try and save Krysalka; however, he was declared deceased at the scene.
Krysalka graduated from Forest High School as a star kicker for its football team. After graduating, he walked on to Florida University’s football team, where he played for the 2013 season. Teammates from his graduating class said Krysalka was one of the best kickers of all-time.
Detectives reported that Guinn was crying and visibly distraught. Records showed that Guinn, a convicted felon, was not supposed to be in possession of a firearm.
Guinn refused to answer any questions.
This is the second former Florida Gator from Ocala to die in less than a month.
Ocala, Florida — On Thursday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Investigations Unit along with its Fugitive Apprehension Unit, arrested and charged Randall Williford, 27, with Robbery, Attempted Robbery, and Resisting Arrest.
Williford was located at 15220 SE 211th Court, he was found hiding in a closet of the residence.
K-9 Deputy Winkler and his partner K-9 Solo were used to bring Williford into custody.
Williford was wanted for committing a bank robbery on August 13, 2014, at Citizen’s First Bank, located at 8590 SE 165th Mulberry Lane in The Villages.
During that robbery, Williford passed a note to the teller instructing the teller to give him money or he would shoot her. Williford fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
After being arrested, Williford confessed to committing an attempted robbery on a person at the Murphy Gas Station located at 17840 SE 112th Court Road in The Villages on August 11, 2014.
According to reports, Williford also confessed to the Wells Fargo attempted robbery on February 24, 2015, in Sumter County.
Williford stated that his motive for committing the robberies was to support his methamphetamine addiction.
He is currently being held in the Marion County Jail on no bond.
According to the sheriff’s office, it was a social media tip that led to his capture.
The Rhesus Macaques monkey photographed by McGeorge.
Ocala, Florida — Graham McGeorge has spent the last five years photographing a feral colony of Rhesus Macaques, a type of monkey, along the Silver River in Ocala, Florida. But for the past several weeks he has been looking for answers.
On February 20, Ocala Post was contacted by Karen Kline from Negotiations Are Over, in reference to a particular monkey McGeorge had been photographing.
Kline stated that on January 31, 2015, McGeorge had stumbled upon a monkey wearing a GPS collar, which appeared to be constricting the monkey’s neck and rubbing it raw.
Concerned for the well-being of the monkey, McGeorge said he immediately contacted Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He was then referred to the University of Florida, because that is who placed the tracker on the monkey.
Kline said after contacting UF, she and McGeorge were provided with conflicting information about the monkey. She said that’s when they reached out to Ocala Post.
Ocala Post then contacted UF and inquired about the situation.
UF Assistant Vice President , Janine Sikes, released the following statement:
“The University of Florida is studying the habitat use and movement patterns of the Rhesus Macaques in Silver Springs Park. A single macaque was collared in December as part of this study. UF researchers were notified February 2, about the concerns of Mr. McGeorge. The researchers immediately sought advice from their project veterinarian, who recommended the collar be removed. The very next day, UF sent a signal to a satellite, which enabled the collar to fall off the monkey. That process took a few days, but we confirmed that the collar was no longer on the animal on Sunday, February 8.
Other than the abrasion caused by the collar, the macaque appeared in good health. The monkey was observed with her group, feeding, grooming, and behaving normally.”
However, McGeorge does not believe that the monkey had only been wearing the collar for approximately two months; he believes it was much longer.
He said he wanted proof that the collar had been removed, but alleges that UF refused to supply proof.
” Unfortunately, their past history does not lead one to believe they are a reputable organization,” McGeorge said.
McGeorge said he hasn’t seen the monkey since the incident, but will keep looking for answers.
Researchers said they will continue to observe the animals in the Silver River area.
Calvin Willis Jr. [left], and Santini ChishlomOcala, Florida — On Wednesday, the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) obtained a search warrant and raided room number 149 of the Super 8 Motel located at 3924 West Silver Springs Boulevard. As a result, two drug dealers were arrested on a variety of drug and gun charges.
In January, drug agents opened an investigation into an organized group who were utilizing numerous motel rooms at different motels throughout the City of Ocala to sell their drugs. The use of random motel rooms throughout the city was an intentional security measure used by the criminals to minimize the risk of being caught by law enforcement.
Early in the investigation, drug agents discovered that Santini Chishlom was the ring leader and the main drug supplier for the group. Drug agents were able to make several controlled cocaine purchases from Chishlom, which ultimately enabled drug agents to obtain a search warrant for his motel room.
When members of the Ocala Police Department’s SWAT team deployed on the motel room to serve the search warrant Wednesday afternoon, the occupants of the room refused to open the door, at which time forcible entry was made.
Upon entering the room, SWAT members confronted and secured Santini Chisholm, 33, Calvin Willis Jr., 30, and Jaquan Donaldson.
A search of the room revealed two (2) handguns, a bullet proof vest, ammunition, $2,400 in cash, cocaine, crack cocaine, MDMA, marijuana, and an assortment of drug related paraphernalia. Drug agents also discovered that the subjects were in the process of manufacturing (converting) cocaine into crack cocaine when the SWAT team entered the room.
Jaquan Donaldson was released from the scene and was not charged with a crime. However, a white Dodge Charger, which was rented by Donaldson under his name, was released back to the rental agency because Donaldson was allowing Santini Chishlom and Calvin Willis to utilize it for their illegal drug sales.
Santini Chishlom and Calvin Willis are both convicted felons. Santini Chishlom was out on bond for a recent cocaine arrest, in which he was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Chishlom and Willis were both placed under arrest and transported to the Marion County Jail.
Chisholm, of 8950 SE 88th Place, Ocala, was charged with Trafficking MDMA, Trafficking Cocaine, Manufacturing Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is being held on $72,000 bond. He has been arrested 18 times and has dozens of felony charges. He has been in and out of jail his entire life.
Willis Jr., of 12 Dogwood Drive Course, Ocala, was charged with Trafficking MDMA, Trafficking Cocaine, Manufacturing Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is being held on $61,000 bond. Willis Jr. has also been arrested numerous times.
UDEST is an Initiative of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area based out of Jacksonville, Florida. UDEST is comprised of Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Ocala Police Department officers.
Ellenton, Florida — The Feld Family, owners of Feld Entertainment, Inc., the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, announced plans Thursday to remove Asian elephants from their traveling circus performances. Under the plan, 13 elephants currently traveling with the three Ringling Bros. circus units would be relocated to the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant for Conservation® in Florida, by 2018. There they would join the rest of the Ringling Bros. herd of more than 40 elephants.
The Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation is already home to the largest herd of Asian elephants and the most successful breeding program for this endangered species in the Western Hemisphere. The circus will continue to feature other extraordinary animal performers, including tigers, lions, horses, dogs and camels.
This unprecedented change in the 145-year-old Greatest Show On Earth® will allow the company to focus on its Asian elephant conservation programs, both here in North America and through its partnership with the island nation of Sri Lanka. The company will also continue to collaborate with other conservation organizations working to preserve this magnificent species for future generations. For example, the company has placed elephants at eight zoos, either on loan or through donations, and will continue to support the Smithsonian Institution’s research lab working to find a cure for diseases that impact juvenile elephants.
Ringling Bros. use of elephants has been under scrutiny for yeas. It has been repeatedly criticized — and even sued — by several animal rights groups, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States.
In 2011, the circus was fined $270,000 by the USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
“This is the most significant change we have made since we founded the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation in 1995. When we did so, we knew we would play a critical role in saving the endangered Asian elephant for future generations, given how few Asian elephants are left in the wild,” said Kenneth Feld, Chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment. “Since then, we have had 26 elephant births. No other institution has done or is doing more to save this species from extinction, and that is something of which I and my family are extremely proud. This decision was not easy, but it is in the best interest of our company, our elephants and our customers,” he added.
“Our family has been the proud steward of the American institution that is Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, and our elephants, for 45 years. It is a legacy that we hold near and dear to our hearts, and as producers of The Greatest Show On Earth, we feel we have a responsibility to preserve the esteemed traditions that everyone expects from a Ringling Bros. performance while striving to keep the show fresh and contemporary for today’s families,” said Nicole Feld and Alana Feld, Ringling Bros. producers and Executive Vice Presidents with Feld Entertainment. “As the circus evolves, we can maintain our focus on elephant conservation while allowing our business to continue to meet shifting consumer preferences,” they added.
Ringling Bros. said it could no longer afford to fight the legal battles.
Animal rights activists such as PETA said this is a huge victory.
