Ocoee, Florida — Four law enforcement agencies were dispatched to an AMC Theatre at the West Oaks Mall in Ocoee in response to a riot on Valentine’s Day.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said approximately 800-900 black middle and high school aged teenagers stormed the theater and food court with absolutely no regard for the safety of others.
Approximately 200 of the teens made it inside before security gates were locked, which witnesses say made matters worse, because they were then locked in the theater with the teens.
According to police, the teens that were locked outside began to fight and harass innocent people.
Some of the teens were armed with handguns and fired shots into the crowed.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Paul Hopkins said they recovered a stolen car and drugs during the riot.
One teen was charged with Battery and Resisting Arrest, and a second teen was arrested on drug charges.
Someone was also robbed during the riot.
Lieutenant Hopkins also said parents need to do a better job at knowing where their kids are at all times. “It is very concerning that these are middle and high school kids out with drugs and weapons while stealing cars and robbing people.”
After the riot, approximately 40 kids stormed a local gas station. According to Ocoee Police, they stole as much as they could carry.
Police said the mob became angry when the store was closed and the clerk would not let them in, so they decided to force their way in.
Ocala Post contacted several of the businesses within the West Oaks Mall and spoke to several business owners.
All of the business owners, who do not want their names used, have accused the mall of not taking proper measures for this type of situation to ensure the safety of employees and shoppers.
Mall management said, “There is nothing we can do.”
According to business owners, they believe management is afraid of being labeled a racist because it is only black teenagers that are causing the trouble. Store owners said it is not about race, but about right and wrong.
“Something needs to be done before one of these teens gets killed, or the teens kill an innocent person. Not to mention this type of behavior is causing us to lose revenue,” one business owner said. “And the thing that really irritates me is that mall management and the media is not calling the situation what it really is.”
Officials said the riot might have started because several of the teens were denied R-rated movie tickets. The teens immediately accused ticket operators of being racist. Basically, officials said, the teens were mad because they couldn’t get their way.
The movie the teens wanted to see; “Fifty Shades of Grey.”
Authorities said after reviewing Facebook post’s it became clear this situation was orchestrated in advance.
Anna Khavulya with Moonbeam Capital Investments, the company that manages the West Oaks Mall, later released this statement: “Effective immediately, after 9 p.m. every day, all minors under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult while on mall property, and all unaccompanied minors will be escorted off the property.”
This is the second riot of this caliber to occur since April 2014.
Animis Foundation caring for an eagle that was found two years ago. This eagle tested positive for phenobarbital. Photo provided by the Animis Foundation.
[Last updated on February 19, 2015, at 9:32 p.m.]
Correction: A previous version of this article stated “the animal shelter euthanizes anything under three pounds,” when it is actually two pounds. Also, the word “allegedly” was added before the word “poisoned.”Statements from Marion County Public Information Manager, Barbra Hernández, APR have also been included.
Ocala, Florida — It has been 14 days since two eagles were allegedly poisoned at the Marion County Baseline Landfill, leaving one dead. After being rehabilitated, the surviving eagle was released back into the wild.
In regards to landfill regulations, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released the following statement:
“Department personnel conducted an inspection of the above-referenced facility on February 10, 2015. Based on the information provided during and following the inspection, the facility was determined to be in compliance with the Department’s rules and regulations.”
The inspection was performed eight days after the two eagles were found at the landfill.
Concerning animal disposal, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection released the following statement:
“A review of the facility’s procedures for the disposal of animal waste was conducted during the inspection. The process was described by Keith Butler and Larry Starkey (two landfill employees).”
The statement suggests the procedure was merely described by employees, but not actually witnessed by inspectors.
Ocala Post reached out to the DEP for clarification. DEP Public Information Officer Mara Burger confirmed that the procedure by which the facility disposes of animal waste was a review, but the actual act of disposal was not witnessed in person.
Simply put, the inspectors relied on the word of landfill employees.
The inspection also did not include water tests.
The fact remains that — for the second time — two more eagles were allegedly poisoned by ingesting phenobarbital from an animal that had been discarded, by the Marion County Animal Shelter, at the landfill. Pentobarbital is a barbiturate, which slows the activity of the brain and nervous system and is commonly used to euthanize animals.
While the county admits they dump euthanized animals at the landfill, county officials say it is within state guidelines.
Ashley Smith, who shadowed at the Marion County Animal Shelter, said what she saw at the animal shelter was heart-wrenching. She said the shelter needlessly euthanizes animals.
“The animal shelter euthanizes anything under two pounds, nursing, pregnant, too old, pit bulls, and anything with even a simple cold, or a small lesion,” Smith said. “To see a three-week-old kitten — eyes just opening — full of wonder and curiosity blooming and not knowing what is about to happen is the saddest part of all I believe.”
Marion County Public Information Manager, Barbra Hernández, APR wrote. “Marion County Animal Services euthanizes animals that are unweaned who staff cannot find a foster family to raise until they are two pounds, not three. However, nearly all MCAS employees participate in the foster program to save as many as possible, and so do a great group of citizens who tirelessly raise kittens and puppies, and care for sick animals and return them so MCAS can spay or neuter them and place them up for adoption. The Animal Center does not euthanize an animal because it is pregnant. Staff usually can find a foster, and sometimes is able to let them have their litter at the shelter (and then seek a foster) if there is room. Senior animals are frequently put up for adoption. There is no age maximum, provided they are reasonably healthy. As far as pit bulls, the center’s online kennel display will show pitbull, mixes and any breed of animal that is able to go up for adoption. Generally, most of the shelter’s adoptable dogs are pitbulls, especially those that take very long to adopt. Regarding small lesions, the shelter’s staff veterinarian goes so far as to amputate legs if medically needed. The shelter is not required to do those types of surgeries, but does it anyway when possible to save a life of a friendly and otherwise healthy animal. As a further example, just last week the shelter adopted out nearly 50 animals at outreach adoption events and from the shelter, including pit bulls and senior dogs. Since the beginning of February, MCAS has adopted out over 139 animals, including 8 animals over eight years of age and 24 pitbulls/pitbull mixes.”
“Many animals do not go as quickly as one would prefer, and their final moments are definitely not quick nor painless,” Smith said.
Hernández wrote, “It is extremely uncommon for a recommended euthanasia dosage to be insufficient. All procedures are completed by caring, well-trained and ethical staff who subscribes to strict regulations.”
Smith went on to say, “After these animals are injected and just barely pronounced dead, they are tossed onto the bed of a truck out in the open, sometimes not even bagged. There they will sit until all of the euthanasia has been performed that day. It becomes a mountain of open eyes filled with fear, pain, and ultimate loss.”
Additionally, said Smith, “As an animal professional I recognize that some euthanasia are necessary, but not like this. This outdated method of disposing of pets is putting local wildlife in jeopardy.”
Multiple individuals claiming to be former employees of the Marion County Animal Shelter have described similar circumstances to Ocala Post in various e-mails.
Rehabilitators have described the inspection as “laughable.”
The Animis Foundation said, “Eagles are not hanging around the landfill to eat trash. They are there because there is a plentiful supply of meat.”
“In fiscal year 2013-14, Marion County Animal Services represented only about 27% of the total deceased animals delivered to the landfill. Marion County Solid Waste accepts deceased animals at the landfill from any individual or animal-related agency, regardless of the type of animal or cause of death (whether natural or by euthanasia). Due to special disposal requirements, Solid Waste requires residents and agencies to notify if the waste they are disposing includes deceased animals, hazardous materials, chemicals, sludge or other, in accordance with the rules or statutory requirements or permit conditions. Deceased animals brought to the landfill must be reported to staff for proper burial. However, staff has no way of telling if someone or a business deposited deceased animals at the landfill without properly reporting it. For all reported and spotted deceased animals, staff follows the strict regulations in place,” Hernández wrote.
The foundation said as long as poisoned animals are being dumped like trash, local wildlife will continue to die. They said the standards set by the state are clearly not working.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is still investigating.
The contents of the eagles’s stomach is also being tested.
Curtis Thornton [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — A Youth Services International (YSI) counselor was arrested and charged with Aggravated Child Abuse after he repeatedly struck a 16-year-old boy in the head with a portable radio. The entire incident was captured on video.
YSI is also referred to as the Marion Youth Academy.
YSI superintendent, Keenan Bullard, told deputies that Curtis Brandon Thornton, 27, of Ocala, “snapped” and struck the victim.
The victim had to be transported to Munroe Regional Medical Center where he received three staples to close the laceration on his head.
In a statement, Thornton wrote, “Youth [victim] repeatedly took rolled up paper and hit me with it ignoring my verbal commands. At that time I proceeded to stand and redirect youth [victim] to the floor securing him there until additional staff arrived.”
Due to the video conflicting with Thornton’s recall of events, he was arrested.
The victim told deputies that he and Thornton were throwing “balled up” paper back and forth at each other, in what the victim perceived as a game. The victim stated that at some point Thornton told him to stop, but he threw one last piece of paper. He said that is when Thornton got up, armed himself with a radio, and hit him in the head multiple times.
YSI works with the Florida Department of Justice in providing services for troubled teens. Services include mental health, substance abuse, and academic services.
In the past, the firm has been the center of many investigations and law suits concerning abuse toward teens at the facility.
Thornton has previous arrests for domestic violence, but those charges were later dropped.
Thornton was booked into the Marion County Jail, but released a few hours later on $10,000 bond.
Middle school passes out “Fifty Shades of Grey” word puzzle
A Pennsylvania school district is under fire after they distributed a word search puzzle based on the sexual novel “Fifty Shades of Grey.”
The word search was passed out to Monessen middle school students and contained the terms “spanking,” “bondage,” “submissive,” and many other words that were more explicit in nature.
Ocala Post contacted the school board via e-mail, however, they refused to comment citing an investigation.
School officials did not even notify parents about the incident. They actually learned about it after a middle school student posted the word search on Facebook.
The school district is now being accused of intentionally concealing the information from parents in an attempt to avoid damage to the school’s reputation.
Would you be upset if this happened to your child?
Cara Lewis [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — An Ocala woman that could not maintain her lane and slammed into curbs was arrested for DUI early Friday morning.
Ocala Police said at approximately 3:10 a.m., an officer saw Cara Lewis make a careless U-Turn at the intersection of U.S. 441 and State Road 40, at which time she began traveling southbound.
Police said after making the U-Turn, Lewis drove her Honda into curbs and could not maintain a single lane.
The officer stated that Lewis was having a very difficult time maintaining control of her vehicle, so he immediately initiated a traffic stop to prevent her from harming herself or someone else.
According to reports, Lewis did not stop when the officer activated his emergency lights. Instead, she continued southbound for several blocks before finally stopping her vehicle.
The officer stated that after he approached the vehicle he could smell the strong odor of alcohol emitting from the vehicle.
When the officer asked Lewis how much she had to drink, she replied, “I have been drinking.” The officer reported that Lewis’ speech was heavily slurred when she spoke.
The officer then asked Lewis to exit her vehicle, and when she stood up she fell forward. As she staggered to the front of the patrol vehicle, the officer had to hold onto her arm to keep her from falling over.
Once in front of the patrol car, Lewis was asked to perform several sobriety tests, which Lewis refused to do. Lewis stated, “I know I am drunk. I just want to pee and go home.”
Lewis was then placed under arrest and asked to perform a breath test. She blew a .207 on the first breath sample and a .206 on the second.
While en route to the Marion County Jail Lewis asked the officer if he could just take her to a motel and let her sleep it off.
Somer ThompsonJarred Harrell currently serving a life sentence.
Orange Park, Florida — In 2009, 7-year-old Somer Thompson disappeared without a trace while walking home from school with her brother, older sister, and several other students.
Two days after she vanished law enforcement found her body at a landfill in Georgia.
Authorities searched for her killer for months before discovering Jarred Harrell, 29, had raped and murdered Somer in his house.
According to court records, Harrell, then 24, pleaded guilty and is now serving a life sentence.
The red brick house that Somer was killed in was eventually foreclosed on. The bank later transferred the house to the Somer Thompson Foundation. Somer’s mother, Diena Thompson, then donated it to the Orange Park Fire Department.
Today, that same fire department burned the house to the ground. The fire department allowed Diena to throw the flare through a window that ignited the blaze, allowing her to literally burn down the house of her daughter’s killer.
The Orange Park Fire Department said everyone in the neighborhood was glad to see the house go and were pleased no one would ever be able to live in the house where such a heinous crime was committed.
Hannah Thomas-Garner has been missing since November 30, 2014.
Ocala, Florida — Today, a family from Oregon reached out to Ocala Post hoping to generate new leads that would help locate their missing 17-year-old daughter.
The Oregon family believes the “rainbow people” in the Ocala National Forest, Florida area might have information on their daughter’s whereabouts.
Hannah Thomas-Garner, of Ashland, Oregon, was last seen on November 30, 2014. According to officials, local teens planned to attend a rave party at an old rock quarry located on Dead Indian Memorial Road in Ashland. The quarry is a popular area for teen parties.
According to family members, Hannah told her parents she was heading to bed early that night, but she “snuck” out of her house sometime that evening. She allegedly met up with several friends at the party, including 15-year-old Sylvia Davis, 19-year-old Richard Silver from Dunsmuir, and 19-year-old Andrew Thibert from Weed.
The two men had reportedly driven from the Mt. Shasta area in Northern California.
Ashland Police Department Deputy Chief Tighe O’Meara believes Hannah made plans to run away with other teens, but the family says the circumstances surrounding Hannah’s disappearance are very suspicious. They also said running away would have been out of character for Hannah.
On December 1, police found Hannah’s car 75 miles away. The windshield had been broken and there were dents all over the car. Her cell phone was inside the vehicle, but the SIM card had been removed. Additionally, small amounts of blood were found inside the car. Blood that the family says the police department is refusing to send to the lab because they have classified Hannah as a runaway.
Then, on December 6, the teens that Hannah was suspected of running away with were located in an isolated area of woods near the Mattole Beach Campground in Petrolia, Californina.
Davis, Silver, and Thibert were questioned about Hannah’s disappearance because they were seen with her. However, all three denied that Hannah was with them when they arrived near the campsite. Thibert was arrested on unrelated sex charges, but all three individuals were cleared in her disappearance.
The family believes individuals involved with her disappearance were making plans to attend the Rainbow Festival in Ocala.
Friend of the family, Brandi Redding Gallé said, “She mysteriously disappeared from a party here in Oregon and a lot of the kids from the party headed to Ocala for the Rainbow Festival. Those individuals are currently camping in the woods.”
Sergeant Shawn Richards of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said they do believe Hannah is in danger.
Hannah’s father, Jeff Garner, told Ocala Post, “There is speculation that she went to Ocala with a group from the Ashland, Oregon area that have posted on Facebook about their travels. Now this is long shot, but she has been missing for over 70 days and we must expand our search and explore all options.”
If you have any information about the disappearance of Hannah, you are asked to contact law enforcement immediately.
You can also e-mail tips to Leads4hannah@outlook.com
Black bear and her cub [Photo provided by FWC]Florida — In response to rapidly increasing conflicts and several incidents where bears seriously injured people, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is building on its long-standing, proactive approach to bear management. At its February 4, meeting in Jacksonville, the FWC approved a plan to move forward with a variety of tools to manage bears and help reduce human-bear conflicts.
“Our multipronged approach focuses on maintaining bear populations at healthy levels while ensuring public safety,” said Commissioner Brian Yablonski. “However, this is not something we can do on our own. There has to be an element of getting the community to police itself, since food attractants are the vast majority of the problem.”
The Commission provided staff guidance to move forward on several issues. Staff were directed to refine changes to the Bear, Fox, and Raccoon Feeding Rule 68A-4.001(3), and the Bear Conservation Rule 68A-4.009.
The Commission also expressed support for policy changes including more aggressive removal of conflict bears and additional options for the public and law enforcement agencies to haze bears.
“We are taking a more aggressive approach to conflict bears in neighborhoods and will continue to partner with counties, municipalities and homeowner associations to reduce conflicts by securing bear attractants like garbage,” said FWC Chairman Richard Corbett. “Properly securing garbage and other attractants is the single most important action for reducing conflict situations with bears.”
The Commission also asked staff to move forward with developing specific plans for a limited bear hunt in certain parts of Florida. Hunting alone is not likely to reduce human-bear conflicts in urban and suburban areas. However, in other states, hunting has proved to be an effective measure for managing bear populations and can help more direct measures of reducing conflicts such as securing attractants and removing conflict bears.
“Many of the bear conflict issues we are facing, particularly comprehensive waste management, go far beyond the ability of the FWC to handle alone,” said Dr. Thomas Eason, director of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. “We all must share in the responsibility to manage human-bear conflicts effectively to achieve sustainable coexistence.”
Animal rights activists blame humans for running the bear out of its natural habitat.
And the controversy is not only about killing bears, but also about eating the game meat from a bear.
Some game meat has received a bad reputation for palatability. For example, most hunters shun bear meat. However, few hunters who do eat black and brown/grizzly bear say the meat is usually good or very good, unless the animal has been feeding on fish. Regardless of what a bear has been eating, its meat should always be well cooked to prevent trichinosis, a parasitic disease (also found in domestic hogs) that can infect humans.
This raises the question: Would a bear be killed for sport if the meat would not be harvested?
If you wish to express your thoughts on this matter, you can do so by e-mailing BearComments@MyFWC.com.
We want to hear from you. Do you think bears should be hunted and killed?
Sonny Stehr [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — Three Marion County Sheriff’s Office Bailiffs stationed at the Marion County Courthouse chased and apprehended out-of-custody inmate, Sonny Stehr, 24, Wednesday afternoon after he ran out of his pre-trial conference hearing.
Honorable Judge Hale Stancil had just revoked Stehr’s bond for possession of Dilaudid (hydromorphone) and possession of methamphetamine, which meant he was going back to jail.
Upon hearing Judge Stancil’s ruling, Stehr started to leave the courtroom and, against his attorney’s advice, began running from multiple bailiffs who were ordering him to stop.
Bailiffs Doreen Sexton, Preston West, and Tamara King gave foot pursuit.
As Stehr came to the end of the second floor on the east corner, Stehr turned to confront the three bailiffs. As Bailiffs Sexton and King tried to tackle Stehr, Stehr began to fight the bailiffs.
Bailiff West then tased Stehr, which allowed Bailiffs King and Sexton to gain control of Stehr and take him into custody.
Stehr is now facing an additional charge of escape and has been transported to the Marion County Jail.
He is being held without bond.
Sheriff Chris Blair said, “I would like to thank the bailiffs for an outstanding job on this apprehension and for being vigilant during such a busy day at the Marion County Courthouse.”
Stehr has an extensive arrest history to include charges of , Aggravated Battery, Cultivation of Marijuana, Possession of Narcotic Equipment, DUI (x2), Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription (x2), Smuggling Contraband into a Detention Facility (x2), Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Domestic Battery by Strangulation, Burglary, Resisting Arrest (x2), Battery on Law Enforcement Officer of EMT, and multiple Violation of Probation offenses.
Tampa, Florida — It was a smelly situation when two drunk people, Donald L. Jordan, 37, and Lisa Sirbella, 49, were nearly crushed after being dumped into the back of a garbage truck.
The driver, who works for Progressive Waste Solutions, said he was just about to compact the garbage when he heard the two screaming and pounding on the side of the truck. He immediately called 911.
[The 911 Call]
Authorities originally thought the pair were homeless. However, deputies said the couple had been partying at the Hard Rock & Casino and became extremely intoxicated.
Jordan and Sirbella then exited the casino and climbed into a dumpster at the WaWa store on Orient Road and Hillsborough Avenue and fell asleep. When the driver picked up the container the couple and the trash were dumped into the back of the truck.
EMS crews responded to the scene and rescued them from the truck.
According to reports, Jordan reeked of alcohol, had slurred speech, and was very aggressive toward deputies.
Deputies said the couple was visiting from Kissimmee.
Jordan and Sirbella were taken to Tampa General Hospital after they told emergency personnel they were experiencing back pain.
Congress says they have serious concerns about Samsung’s internet-connected SmartTV listening to peoples conversations.
Samsung said the TV has a voice-command feature that — on your command — can change channels.
The Problem? The TV allegedly records everything a person says if the TV can hear you.
Samsung’s Privacy Policy reads:
“Please be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party.”
Experts said if entire conversations would in fact be transmitted to a third party and that conversation contains incriminating material; then your TV could potentially send you to jail.
Experts also said that in order for the voice-command feature to work, it must be active and ready to respond; therefore, the feature would constantly be recording.
Analysts said people should be concerned because if a conversation in the privacy of your living room about the president, drugs, or other topic is recorded, it could quickly be taken out of context by the person on the other end.
There are also concerns that a TV with a camera and or microphone could possibly record intimate situations between partners.
Ocala Post reached out to Samsung and they released the following statement via e-mail:
“Samsung takes consumer privacy very seriously. In all of our Smart TVs we employ industry-standard security safeguards and practices, including data encryption, to secure consumers’ personal information and prevent unauthorized collection or use.”
Ocala Post asked if Samsung stores or transmits personal conversations and Samsung replied:
“Samsung does not retain voice data or sell it to third parties. If a consumer consents and uses the voice recognition feature, voice data is provided to a third party during a requested voice command search. At that time, the voice data is sent to a server, which searches for the requested content then returns the desired content to the TV.”
Experts said this is the chance people take when they are too lazy to use a remote. “We are a generation of lazy Americans,” one analyst said.
Samsung says the feature can be deactivated by the user, but doing so will disable all voice-command functions.
However, some worry that the application might have security vulnerabilities and could allow outsiders into your living room.
Samsung would not release the name of the third party company.
Palm Beach County, Florida — Today, as a Jet Blue employee was moving a load of luggage at the Palm Beach International Airport he heard what appeared to be a buzzing noise.
The area was shut down and all emergency personnel was dispatched, including the Palm Beach County sheriff’s Bomb and Arson Unit.
All bags were checked and cleared.
The third floor was reopened and the airport has gone back to business as usual.
Officials said the buzzing noise was coming from a battery-operated “personal item,” but would not say exactly what that item was.
Lindsay Nicklin [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — On Saturday, Ocala Police responded to a Walmart, located at 2600 SW 19th Avenue Road, Ocala, in reference to a retail theft in progress.
Lindsay Nicklin, 30, and her friend, Jimmy Lofton, 30, had been detained by Walmart security after Nicklin left the store without paying for several baby items. Items stolen include, diapers, wipes, a baby bag, baby socks, baby formula, a baby blanket, and breast pump.
Lofton was later released because he never put his hands on any of the stolen items.
While the police officer was investigating a second incident that occurred while he was in the store, Nicklin jumped up and took off running while holding her 11-month-old baby.
According to the arrest affidavit, as she ran out of the exit she slammed her baby’s head on one of the sliding doors. As a result, the baby had a large knot and scratches on her head.
She was tracked down in the parking lot and loss prevention kept her from entering a vehicle that was leaving the scene.
The officer then exited the store and attempted to place Nicklin under arrest.
She told the officer that she should not be arrested because she was only stealing items to care for her baby.
Nicklin’s mother arrived on the scene a short time later and the child was released into her custody, which enraged Nicklin.
At that point, Nicklin began yelling that she not be charged with child abuse or with stealing items for a baby.
According to reports, while the officer was gathering information, Nicklin began taunting him and aggressively yelling.
Nicklin got in the officers face and yelled, “You already took my child. What else are you going to do to me?”
Nicklin also told the officer she was going to kill him the first chance she got.
As the officer attempted to exit the holding room with Nicklin, she began pulling away and started kicking the officer in the right thigh. The officer then directed Nicklin straight to the ground and called for a backup officer.
While on the ground she began to kick her legs, at which time the officer used his free hand to secure her legs.
Once the second officer arrived, they picked Nicklin up off the ground and attempted to exit the room. However, she placed her legs up against the doorjamb and pushed herself backward onto the officers. She then began swinging her head and struck one of the officers in the forehead with the back of her head.
She was eventually subdued with several pairs of handcuffs and leg restraints and placed into a patrol car.
While en-route to the Marion County Jail, Nicklin attempted to get the handcuffs to the front of her body, but got tangled in the leg restraints.
Once at the jail, officers found a broken glass pipe with crack residue in her left shoe.
Nicklin was charged with, Grand Theft, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest with Violence, Aggravated Child Abuse, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting a Merchant, and two counts of Obstruction.
She is being held on $19,000 bond.
Nicklin has been previously arrested and charged with Battery (x3), Violation of Probation, Battery on Person over 65, Grand Theft of a Vehicle, and Driving while License are Revoked.
David Pleasant [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — David H. Pleasant, 30, was charged with Felony Battery after Ocala police say he severely beat his neighbor for asking Pleasant to “keep it down.”
According to reports, Pleasant was arguing with his girlfriend when the victim knocked on the sliding glass door and asked them to keep it down.
Pleasant then approached the sliding glass door and punched the victim in the face several times. When he fell to the ground, Pleasant kicked the victim in the chest and punched him in the face several more times.
According to reports, the victim got into the fetal position and Pleasant continued to beat him.
Due to the severity of the beating and head trauma sustained, the victim was transported to an undisclosed hospital.
Pleasant’s girlfriend would not give police any information about her boyfriend. She told police she did not want him to go to jail. When asked why he would go to jail; she stated, “Because he beat that mother f***er up.”
The girlfriend eventually told police Pleasant had fled the area in a black Toyota. However, after searching the grounds he was found hiding under a tree in the backyard.
Pleasant is currently being held at the Marion County Jail on $10,000 bond.
Both Pleasant and his girlfriend have had run-ins with law enforcement in Dixon County, Tennessee in the past.
According to the landlord, Pleasant and his girlfriend would both be evicted.
Grace Taylor [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — While traveling eastbound in the 200 block of West State Road 40, Ocala police saw a silver Toyota traveling westbound without its headlights on.
After seeing this, Officer William Joedicke conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.
The driver, later identified as Taylor Grace, 21, passed several safe places to stop before finally pulling into a closed business.
According to reports, while attempting to pull into a parking space, Grace slammed into a parking curb; causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop.
After the officer approached the vehicle, he saw an open 750ml bottle of Captain Morgan in the back seat. The officer then instructed Grace to roll down her window; however, she was so intoxicated it took her a minute to figure out how to do so.
The officer stated in his report that Grace was very confused and made very slow movements while she attempted to locate her vehicle registration, which she was unable to do.
Grace was also asked multiple times how much alcohol she had to drink before she finally stated, “Not that much.”
When asked to be more specific; she stated with slurred speech, “One Bacardi and Coke.”
According to the arrest affidavit, Grace failed every sobriety test she performed.
When Grace reluctantly submitted to a breath test, she blew a .173.
She was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with DUI.
Jovan Bostick [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — Ocala police responded to Stevi B’s, located at 3101 SW 34th Avenue, Ocala, in reference to an assault on a young female.
According to reports, the mother of the victim stated that she was at Stevi B’s to have dinner with her 15-year-old daughter when her ex-husband, Jovan Bostick, 34, arrived and started a verbal argument.
The mother stated that Bostick began yelling at her daughter, at which time the 15-year-old attempted to seek safety inside Stevi B’s.
Bostick then grabbed the 15-year-old by the throat and dragged her approximately 15-feet while choking her. She was dragged across pavement, leaving abrasions on her arms.
The mother told police that she ran to her daughters aid and pushed Bostick away.
Bostick then “balled up” his fist and punched the mother in the left side of her face, followed by a punch to the chest.
According to reports, the victim told police she feared for her life because she could not breathe while her father had her by the throat.
Employees of Stevi B’s confirmed the victim’s statements.
Surveillance video also showed Bostick preventing the victim from retreating to the inside of Stevi B’s.
Bostick was arrested and charged with Felony Cruelty toward a Child/Child Abuse and Domestic Battery.
Bostick is a career criminal. He has previous charges for Trafficking in Cocaine, Battery, Fraud (x2), Trafficking in Marijuana, Possession of a Concealed Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Possession of an Altered Firearm-Serial Number Removed (x2), Violation of Probation, Possession of Narcotic Equipment, DWLS, Theft, False Name to Law Enforcement, and False Registration.
He is currently being help at the Marion County Jail without bond.
Animis Foundation medical assistant, Danielle Ball, gives fluids and oxygen to two rescued eagles found at the Marion County Baseline Landfill on Monday, February 2, 2015.
[Last updated February 6, 2015, at 10:46 p.m.]
Bald eagle killed by scavenging euthanized cat in Florida landfill. The eagle died while it was eating. Photo courtesy of Special Agent John Rawls, FWS-LE (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement).
Ocala, Florida —The bald eagle—the symbol of our nation—which is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, faces a new threat in Marion County today.
Michelle Whitfield, head of the wildlife department at the Animis Foundation, said bald eagles and other wildlife are being poisoned, but not how one would think.
The Animis Foundation alleges that the Marion County Animal Shelter has been recklessly dumping euthanized animals at the Marion County Baseline Landfill, which is located next to the shelter.
Animis Foundation caring for an eagle that was found two years ago. This eagle tested positive for pentobarbital. Photo provided by the Animis Foundation.
Whitfield said two years ago when a bald eagle was found nearly dead at the landfill, Animis and Dr. Shannon Kennedy performed a toxicology screen on the eagle’s blood. She said the results were disturbing. Test results showed the eagle had been poisoned with pentobarbital, a drug commonly used by veterinarians to euthanize animals.
Pentobarbital is a barbiturate, which slows the activity of the brain and nervous system.
Whitfield said the eagles are eating the dead animals that have been discarded by the shelter; therefore, the pentobarbital is being passed onto the eagles.
Now, residents want to know if the animals are being discarded like trash instead of incinerated. Questions about whether or not the drug could seep into the aquifer have also been raised.
“Animis contacted authorities two years ago when we made the discovery. We were under the impression that Audubon would be testing all eagles and reporting the findings to the Florida Wildlife Service (FWS),” said Whitfield. “Yesterday, I found out that nobody has been testing the birds. All of the proper authorities were notified, but nothing has been done.”
On February 2, 2015, two additional bald eagles were found near death at the Baseline Landfill. The eagles were treated for poisoning. Once stabilized, they would be transported to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. This makes a total of 10 bald eagles in the past two years that have been found at the landfill.
Marion County officials released the following statement:
“This afternoon, we were made aware of citizen concerns expressed on social media and via emails regarding two distressed bald eagles found at the county landfill facility on Monday. While bird and eagle sightings are not uncommon at landfills, we don’t frequently encounter distressed wildlife at our facility. In these situations, however, addressing the animals’ well-being becomes the staff’s first priority. On that day, Solid Waste immediately contacted a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), per FWC protocol. As of today, Solid Waste has reached out to the FWC and the rehabilitator for continued updates. The cause of the eagles’ distress is not known or confirmed by any official tests at this time.”
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC), initially, was not involved with this investigation. In fact, the FWC was not even made aware of the situation until February 4, when county officials called the FWC and began to ask questions about Animis.
In an attempt to discredit Animis, the county wanted to know if Animis was associated with FWC, which they are not. Animis is its own licensed entity; however, FWC wanted to make it clear that Animis is on FWC’s approved list of wildlife animals rescue rehabilitators. Animis frequently rescues animals for the FWC if an officer with FWC is not available.
Greg Workman, Regional Public Information Coordinator for the FWC said, “Although we are not heading up this investigation, it is a very serious matter. Bald eagles are federally protected; therefore, this case was turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Because it is federal, we felt it would be better serviced if handled by FWS.”
Rumors began to spread through social media the moment Animis posted the story on Facebook, and people quickly began to confuse FWC and FWS, which are two separate agencies. It should be clear that FWC is not the lead in the investigation and was at no point made aware of the situation until yesterday.
Gavin G. Shire, Chief of Public Affairs with FWS, said, “USFWS Special Agents in Florida are conducting a preliminary inquiry with Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission investigators to address this issue.”
In a report published by FWS it states, “Each year a number of bald and golden eagles, other wildlife, and domestic dogs are intoxicated or killed after ingestion of pentobarbital residues in the tissue of exposed euthanized carcasses. Exposure of these carcasses is almost always the result of improper disposal at landfills.”
Ocala Post reached out to the Marion County Animal Shelter and asked what their procedure was for discarding euthanized animals. As always with Marion County officials, Ocala Post never received a reply.
Mara Burger, Public Information Specialist with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), said, “The proper disposal of domestic animals is covered by Rule 62-701.520(4)(c), which allows disposal in Class I landfills or on the property where they died. Proper disposal is defined as “buried at least two feet below land surface and above the water table.”
The DEP has not yet responded to Ocala Post’s questions in regards to whether or not there would be an investigation against the Marion County Baseline Landfill.
Ocala Post also contacted the EPA; we are waiting on a response.
Ocala Post received a formal copy of the results from the toxicology performed on the bald eagles by Andreas Lehner, Ph.D., an Analytical Chemist with Michigan State University. The results stated, “There was a moderate amount of pentobarbital, which fits the presumed diagnosis.”
[Updated February 5, 2015, at 8:30 p.m.]
Ocala Post was notified earlier today that one of the bald eagles passed away. The other is still recovering.
Ocala Post was also contacted by several former employees of the Marion County Animals Shelter that wish to do an interview. Stay tuned for those details.
[Updated February 5, 2015, at 9:32 p.m.]
Marion County Public Information Manager, Barbra Hernandez posted the following on Ocala Post’s Facebook page:
“We want to provide you the latest updates regarding the bald eagles located at the landfill facility on Monday. Today, we were able to speak with staff at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, who notified us that one of the eagles continues to recover at their facility. Unfortunately, we were saddened to learn that the other eagle did not make it. Audubon Center staff also confirmed that, as of today, no official toxicology tests have been performed. This information was also shared by Dr. Kennedy, veterinarian for the Animis Foundation, with whom we spoke today. Throughout the day, we have received several citizen inquiries regarding the burial of deceased animals at the landfill facility. We know many of you have questions about our Solid Waste and Animal Services policies for handling and properly burying deceased animals. Please know that our departments operate under strict state regulations and county guidelines. We would like to share with you additional information about our practices here: http://marioncountyfl.org/home/showdocument?id=6589.”
How does Solid Waste handle deceased animals at the landfill?
Step 1: Deceased animals are transported (whether by individual, agency or business) to the landfill’s inbound scale and reported to Solid Waste staff. Scale personnel notify the operators on the landfill.
Step 2: Operators excavate a hole at least 3 feet or more in depth, exceeding state statute requirements for a hole to be at least 2 feet in depth.
Step 3: The vehicle containing the deceased animal(s) is brought near the excavated hole for depositing. The landfill operator completes the deposit and covers with materials excavated from creating the hole.
Step 4: Operators continue to push and pack materials over the surface until end of work day.
Step 5: On closing, operators cover all areas on which they worked with a 6-inch dirt cover or a tarp, both methods authorized by the FDEP permit.
When a pet owner brings their pet in to be euthanized, the pet owner would have the choice of taking the body of the animal home or allow the animal to be discarded with the trash at the landfill.
[Updated February 6, 2015, at 10:46 p.m.]
After this story went viral, Elaine DeIorio McClain, Public Information Officer for the Marion County Office of Public Information, responded to Ocala Post’s information request. However, the response contained information Ocala Post had previously included in the article.
Stay tuned to Ocala Post for updates, as Ocala Post is waiting on further correspondence from FWS.
Photo of the fire extinguisher that exploded. [Photo provided by the VCSO]
Daytona Beach, Florida — Two Volusia County sheriff’s deputies, two adults, and an eight-month-old baby were taken to a hospital after a meth lab explosion today.
Hazmat was dispatched to the area and residents were asked to stay indoors.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened at approximately 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at 1216 10th Street, Daytona.
Ocala Post also obtained a copy of the 911 call.
Two deputies, concerned for the child, entered the home and were exposed to a large amount of chemical vapors.
All five individuals were transported to Halifax Health Medical Center.
An adult female and the child were taken to the hospital for precautionary evaluations. A male inside the residence required medical treatment. He was standing next to a fire extinguisher being used to cook meth when it exploded. Doctors said he would be blind for the rest of his life.
Both deputies were treated and later released. They will be monitored, but are expected to make a full recovery.
According to reports, Hazmat was at the home for hours clearing the scene due to the amount of chemicals that were on site.
Deputies said when the explosion occurred, chemicals were spread throughout the home.
The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed at this time.
The child was released to the mother.
Names and photos of the suspects have not been released.
Ocala, Florida — On Tuesday afternoon, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Chase Ash, 32, and his girlfriend, Hope Wright, 27, on multiple charges.
While officers assisted the Department of Children and Families (DCF) on a child well-being check at the couple’s residence at 2605 SE 69th Place, Ocala, deputies discovered two separate containers filled with the remains of cooked methamphetamine.
According to the arrest affidavit, used exposed needles were also found on the floor in the master bedroom.
Through the investigation, it was discovered that Ash and Wright were in possession of 181.5 grams of methamphetamine oil, a small amount of finished product, and drug paraphernalia.
According to deputies, the meth was being made with an infant and another child inside the home. The children were inside the residence during the investigation.
DCF removed the children and placed them into the custody of a family member.
Both suspects told investigators that they frequently used oxycodone. They said they would dissolve it and then shoot it into their veins.
The couple was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Child Neglect/Abuse.
Wright and Ash are currently being held in the Marion County Jail.
Ash is being held on $26,000 bond and Wright $27,500.
In 2013, Ash and Wright were both arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription and Cruelty toward a Child, in which they each served six months in jail.
Ocala, Florida — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting a death investigation after a body was found in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee on the eastbound shoulder of County Road 484 at approximately 10 a.m, Wednesday . The vehicle was just a few blocks from the Marion Oaks entrance.
The body was found in the drivers seat. The deceased, Joseph David Durst, 47, had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
Multiple units responded to the scene.
Eastbound traffic had to be directed into the eastbound left-hand lane as traffic in the right-hand lane began to slow due to curious drivers.
Preliminary investigations suggest the death was a suicide and no foul play is suspected at this time.
It is not clear how long the vehicle was on the side of the road before the body was discovered.
An autopsy will be performed to determine how long the individual had been deceased.
The investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information, please call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
