Dr. Asad Qamar, Institute for Cardiovascular Excellence PLLC (ICE)
Ocala, Florida — Department of Justice Official Press Release — The government has intervened in two lawsuits against a Florida cardiologist, Dr. Asad Qamar, and his physician group, the Institute for Cardiovascular Excellence PLLC (ICE), alleging that Qamar and ICE billed Medicare for medically unnecessary peripheral artery interventions and paid kickbacks to patients by waiving Medicare co-payments irrespective of financial hardship, the Justice Department announced today.
“Performing medically unnecessary procedures puts patients at risk and contributes to the soaring costs of health care,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Joyce R. Branda for the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s action evidences the Department of Justice’s efforts both to safeguard federal health care program beneficiaries and to protect public funds.”
The lawsuits allege that Qamar and ICE performed excessive and medically unnecessary peripheral artery intervention services and affiliated procedures on Medicare patients. One of the lawsuits further alleges that Qamar induced patients to undergo those unnecessary procedures by routinely waiving the 20 percent Medicare co-payment, regardless of the patients’ financial need.
“Physicians should make medical decisions on the basis of their patients’ needs,” said U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III for the Middle District of Florida. “Performing medically unnecessary procedures solely to line a physician’s pockets strains our nation’s health care system, and can also jeopardize the health and safety of patients. Fighting Medicare and other health care fraud is one of our office’s most important priorities.”
The lawsuits were filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they discover evidence that defendants have submitted false claims for government funds and to receive a share of any recovery. The False Claims Act also permits the government to intervene in such lawsuits, as it has done in these cases. The cases are captioned United States ex rel. Doe v. Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence, PLLC, ICE Holdings, PLLC, Dr. Asad Qamar, & Dr. Humeraa Qamar, Case No. 5:11-CV-406-OC-KRS (M.D. Fla.) and United States ex rel. Taylor & the State of Florida v. Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence & Dr. Asad Qamar, Case No. 8:14-CV-1454-T-35-EAS (M.D. Fla.)
Dr. Humeraa Qamar is a pediatrician in Ocala, Florida, and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Munroe Regional Medical Center and Ocala Regional Medical Center.
Dr. Humeraa Qamar, wife of Dr. Asad Qamar
“Physicians who try to enrich themselves and their practices by performing medically unnecessary, invasive procedures can cause patients very serious health issues, waste millions in taxpayer dollars each year, and undercut the public’s trust in the medical profession,” said Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect beneficiaries and hold health care providers accountable for such outrageous fraud schemes.”
This matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The partnership between the two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $23.3 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $14.9 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.
Qamar billed more than $18 million, the second highest Medicare biller out of any physician in 2012.
Holly Taylor, the former director of Qamar’s previous billing company, Partners in Practice, is one of the individuals that “blew the whistle” on Qamar and filed a lawsuit.
Taylor stated that Qamar would use an illegal process known as “up-coding” when billing Medicare.
The lawsuit states that Qamar was warned by Partners in Practice that they would stop providing billing services if he didn’t correct his offices’ problems. Qamar and Ice then stopped using Partners and Practice and started its own in-house billing services. Investigators believe Qamar and ICE did this in an attempt to mask the fraud being committed by ICE.
The lawsuit states that Qamar was not charging patients co-payments or for other services, but would then bill other insured patients for procedures never performed, or for a procedure more expensive (up-coding) than what ICE had actually performed.
According to the lawsuit filed by Taylor, since 2010, Qamar has overbilled tens of millions of dollars; therefore, the DOJ stepped in.
The investigation was conducted by HHS-OIG, the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. The claims asserted by the government are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Ocala, Florida — Since the transfer of 911 dispatch services from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to the county commissioners control that took place in 2012, many local residents have voiced their opinions that MCSO losing control of the service was a detriment to the community.
Recently, Misty Lloyd, a tax paying citizen of Marion County, had several teens bang on her front door. The teens fled and a neighbor told Lloyd’s husband which direction they ran. Her husband then proceeded to track the teens. Moments later, Lloyd heard two gunshots.
Not knowing if her husband had been shot, she dialed 911. She expected a 911 operator to answer, but instead, the phone rang off the hook. She stated that she hung up and called a second time, and again, the phone rang off the hook.
Luckily, Lloyd’s husband and a neighbor had scared off the teens; therefore, there was no longer a need for a deputy to be dispatched.
Lloyd stated that four (4) minutes after she had placed the 911 call, she received a call back from 911 dispatch. Nearly 20 minutes later, a deputy contacted Lloyd.
In 24 minutes, a life could have been lost.
Ocala Post has received dozens of e-mails referencing the same scenario. Many of the e-mails mentioned wait times for a response of up to 45 minutes.
Savannah Steele wrote, “They’re ridiculous. I was on hold for 10 minutes when my son passed away in September. Then they said they had to wait for an ambulance to be available (one should be in 5 minutes) and then took 20 minutes to get to the house. Those minutes that they wasted could have saved my son’s life, but instead I’ll never know. We did CPR and everything we could have to save him, but we’re not professionals and I feel like if they’d been there sooner or not wasted precious time, there was a chance he’d still be here today. I thought it was just my phone and a freak accident that an ambulance wasn’t prepped and ready, apparently not. It’s sick.”
Since the county commission took control of the 911 communications center, public safety has down spiraled. And with MCSO already being short handed on deputies, the citizens of Marion County are now at even greater risk. After all, not being able to reach a 911 operator could mean your life, as they are the link to dispatching a deputy or other first responders to any emergency.
Many times, County Commissioners Carl Zalak and Stan McClain have literally laughed about public safety during public meetings. Those laughs were also captured on video. Public safety also includes Marion County Fire Rescue.
On top of the serious lack of pay for public safety personnel, they (firefighters and deputies) have also been dealing with the lack of support from commissioners.
The BOCC has refused many times to give raises to deputies and firefighters. Yet, the BOCC makes sure their salaries are plentiful.
According to public records, the BOCC deletes one vacant position, and then uses the money from the deleted position to fund substantial raises for filled positions. The BOCC calls it a “reclass.”
Earlier this year, the BOCC “reclassed” two of its public information officers. One PIO salary went from $54,184.75 to $58,616.99; an increase of $4,432.24. Another went from $61,001.73 to $66,614.30; an increase of $5,612.57. The raises total $10,044.81 — a lot more than three (3) percent that firefighters and deputies were asking for.
Reportedly, the PIO positions are family of McClain. A reasonable person could draw the conclusion that it is a conflict of interest for McClain to be involved. Some residents have asked when the last time one of the BOCC’s PIOs has ever been on TV or spoke on behalf of a commissioner. The truth is, the BOCC does not need PIO positions.
Even though MCSO did eventually receive raises, it wasn’t without a yearlong, drawn out, public argument. MCFR is still fighting for a pay increase.
Even more troubling, is the fact that McClain was laughing in some of the meetings, while telling the sheriff how to manage his budget.
McClain is in charge of managing the countywide budget of more than $500 million; however, according to Federal Bankruptcy Court records, [he] cannot even manage his own personal finances. McClain filed for bankruptcy in 2007; wiping out a substantial amount of debt. In 2013, Capital One Bank filed a lawsuit against McClain in which the default final judgment was issued in December of 2013. McClain is also currently in the middle of foreclosure proceedings on a home valued at more than $250,000.
Prior to filing bankruptcy, McClain purchased a $16,000 vehicle in which he only made payments for $1,117.53 within 90 days of filing bankruptcy. McClain reaffirmed the debt with CitiFinancial, which legally allowed him to exclude it from bankruptcy.
At the time of his bankruptcy, he also owed the IRS $5,000.
McClain, who has also been pushing for the sale of the jail, has heavily opposed more funding for public safety. He has been the driving force behind the sale of the jail to Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). And although the deal is “off the table” for the time being, Kathy Bryant stated in an earlier interview that she would reconsider the proposition if CCA were to make a more reasonable counteroffer.
According to information received by Ocala Post, McClain has political and possibly family ties to CCA and stands to largely benefit from the sale. According to unnamed sources, if the sale of the jail was approved, McClain would earn a seat with CCA’s board of directors.
Many residents have also expressed concerns over the $20 million landfill deal the BOCC is involved with, namely because Zalak is in the waste services business. He is listed as the VP of C & C Recycling of Central Florida, Inc., which is also tied in with Busy Bee Waste Services.
It should also be known to Marion County residents that all seven members of the Planning Board have ties to the construction industry; many are even involved in projects that come before them for review. And all commissioners have taken contributions from developers that needed projects approved.
Ocala Post has exposed the corruption within the BOCC many times. Commissioner Zalak deflected by mocking Ocala Post on open forum in an attempt to take the spotlight off himself. Why? Because Ocala Post, unlike other media outlets, does not have ties to the BOCC, and actually printed the truth and not propaganda. Ocala Post has shown the citizens of Marion County what is actually going on behind closed doors.
Zalak, who is said to have quite the temper, has also been known to make threats to those who oppose him.
Commissioners have also made the statement that Ocala Post has not contacted any of the commissioners, but that is also not true. Ocala Post has reached out many times, on many issues, and an answer was never received. The same could be said for city leaders.
Today, Ocala Post spoke with Karl F. Oltz, Director of Public Safety Communications. He said there are two communications centers in Marion County. He said if he could determine where the 911 calls originated from, he could determine which call center has an issue. He indicated that he would be more than willing to work with the public on correcting the issue. He can be reached by e-mail at Karl.Oltz@marioncountyfl.org.
Citizens want to know they are safe. The 911 system is a vital life line for Marion County residents. With home invasions, shootings, and robberies on the rise in Ocala, the commission should certainly do a better job at ensuring all 911 calls are being answered, and on the first ring.
Whether it be staffing issues due to lack of funding, or incompetence; citizens have made it clear that any 911 call that goes unanswered, is one call too many.
The Lloyd family was not injured during the incident.
The Florida Highway Patrol will be out in full force this New Year’s, looking for drunk drivers.
FHP said with all of the services available, there is no excuse for drunk driving.
Since its inception in 1998, Tow to Go has safely removed more than 23,000 intoxicated drivers from the roads. The service is designed to be used as a last resort. It is offered based on availability of AAA Service Technicians and tow trucks during times of high call volume.
What is provided:
Confidential local ride within a 10-mile radius to a safe location
Service is provided in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee
Free and available to both AAA members and non-members
The AAA tow truck takes the vehicle and the driver home
The Auto Club Group and Bud Light provide the Tow to Go service to discourage an intoxicated driver from getting behind the wheel and risking the lives and safety of other motorists. Not only does Tow to Go remove the intoxicated driver—it also enables AAA and Bud Light to remind the public to always choose a designated driver for a safe ride home.
Important Tow To Go Guidelines:
Tow trucks can take up to two people home; if there are more people in your party—you will need to make other arrangements to get home safely.
You can’t make an appointment to use the Tow to Go service, it is designed to be used as a last resort so have a designated driver before you have your first drink.
It may be necessary, in certain situations, for AAA to contact a cab company or local law enforcement to assist with getting the intoxicated individual a safe ride.
Tow to Go is a program of the Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to produce a significant and continuous reduction in traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths in the communities targeted by our efforts.
Rides will be available until 6 a.m. January 1, 2015. If you find yourself needing a ride, don’t drink and drive; instead, call 855 -2-TOW-2-GO or 855-286-9246.
Ocala, Florida — A pedestrian is dead after being struck by a SUV on Northwest 110th Avenue, Ocala, Tuesday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 16-year-old Dustin Houlker was driving a 1994 Ford Explorer southbound on 110th Avenue, which was the same direction the pedestrian was walking.
For unknown reasons, the pedestrian, who has not yet been identified, turned into the path of the SUV. Houlker did not see the pedestrian until it was too late and could not stop his vehicle in time. The right front of the SUV struck the pedestrian, killing him instantly.
He was pronounced dead by Marion County Fire Rescue at approximate 7:48 p.m.
Investigators said the man was wearing all dark clothing, which made it nearly impossible for Houlker to see him due to the lack of street lights.
Dustin’s brother, Tyler Houlker, 14, and his friend, Ryan Foster, 16, were also in the vehicle. They were not injured.
A spokesperson with FHP said the boys were horrified over the accident.
Dustin immediately notified authorities following the tragic accident.
Once next of kin of the pedestrian has been notified, his name will be released.
Daytona Beach Pier fireworks display [Ocala Post archive photo]Florida — There will be dozens of firework shows across Florida to ring in the New Year, and many residents will choose to light up the sky with their own fireworks display.
Officials want to remind residents that many types of fireworks are illegal in the State of Florida.
According to state statutes, Florida law prohibits any fireworks that fly through the air or explode — such as Roman candles, bottle rockets, and mortars — for recreational use.
However, there is a loophole.
Most firework shops and stands alike, require residents to sign an “Agricultural Exemption.” The exemption basically states that the purchaser of the fireworks will use them for the sole purpose of scaring off birds from farms and fish hatcheries.
A spokeswoman for The state Fire Marshal’s Office said, “Just because an organization has a buyer sign the ‘Agricultural Exemption,’ doesn’t make it legal.“
But enforcing the statute can sometimes be complicated, law enforcement officials said. Generally, the purchase of illegal fireworks goes unchecked.
Officers and deputies will respond if a resident complains about a neighbor’s illegal fireworks; however, the officer must witness the explosion in order to make an arrest and confiscate the items. Arrests are rare, authorities said.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said, “If a complaint call comes in, we first try and educate the individual on the dangers of using fireworks. Secondly, we will make arrests if a person is using fireworks in a reckless manner with intent to harm.”
“The Fire Marshall handles most of the firework issues,” the sheriff’s office said.
Most law enforcement agencies will address firework issues on a case-by-case basis. While exploding fireworks are illegal, some authorities say they understand they are for celebration, but warn that if fireworks are misused it could result in an arrest.
Sergeant Angy Scroble, Public Information Officer for the Ocala Police Department, said OPD will enforce any City Ordinance or State Laws if they are violated.
City ordinance:
Sec. 38-151. Definitions.
(a) For purposes of this article, the term “fireworks” shall mean and include any combustible or explosive composition or substance or combination of substances or, except as provided in this article, any article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation. The term includes blank cartridges and toy cannons in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel them, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, dago bombs, and any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance.
(b) The term “fireworks” shall not include sparklers approved by the state fire marshal pursuant to F.S. § 791.013; toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns or other devices in which paper caps containing 25/100 grains or less of explosive compound are used, providing they are so constructed that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for the explosion; and toy pistol paper caps which contain less than 20/100 grain of explosive mixture, the sale and use of which shall be permitted at all times.
(c) The term “fireworks” shall not include the following novelties and trick noisemakers:
(1) A snake or glow worm which is a pressed pellet of not more than ten grams of pyrotechnic composition that produces a large, snake-like ash which expands in length as the pellet burns and that does not contain mercuric thiocyanate.
(2) A smoke device, which is a tube or sphere containing not more than ten grams of pyrotechnic composition that, upon burning, produces white or colored smoke as the primary effect.
(3) A trick noisemaker, which is a device that produces a small report intended to surprise the user and which includes:
A party popper, which is a small plastic or paper device containing not more than 16 milligrams of explosive composition that is friction sensitive, which is ignited by pulling a string protruding from the device, and which expels a paper streamer and produces a small report.
A booby trap, which is a small tube with a string protruding from both ends containing not more than 16 milligrams of explosive compound, which is ignited by pulling the ends of the string and which produces a small report.
A snapper, which is a small paper-wrapped device containing not more than four milligrams of explosive composition coated on small bits of sand, and which, when dropped, explodes, producing a small report. A snapper may not contain more than 250 milligrams of total sand and explosive composition.
A trick match, which is a kitchen or book match which is coated with not more than 16 milligrams of explosive or pyrotechnic composition and which, upon ignition, produces a small report or shower of sparks.
A cigarette load, which is a small wooden peg that has been coated with not more than 16 milligrams of explosive composition and which produces, upon ignition of a cigarette containing one of the pegs, a small report.
An auto burglar alarm, which is a tube containing not more than ten grams of pyrotechnic composition that produces a loud whistle or smoke when ignited and which is ignited by the use of a squib. The auto burglar alarm shall not use more than 50 milligrams of explosives to produce a small report.
(d) For purposes of this article, the term “sparkler” means a device which emits showers of sparks upon burning, does not contain any explosive compounds, does not detonate or explode, is handheld or ground-based, cannot propel itself through the air, and contains not more than 100 grams of the chemical compound, which produces sparks upon burning. Any sparkler that is not approved by the state fire marshal is classified as fireworks.
Sec. 38-152. Authority of police to seize unlawful fireworks and devices:
Police officers may seize, take, remove or cause to be removed, at the expense of the owner, all stocks of fireworks, sparklers or combustibles offered or exposed for sale, stored or held in violation of this article or F.S. ch. 791.
Sec. 38-153. Petition for return of seized property.
(a) Right to hearing. Any person from whom property is seized or removed as provided in sections 38-152, 38-157 and may file a petition with the city council for a hearing and to seek the return of the property.
(b) Petition for hearing. Any person seeking a hearing pursuant to this section must first file a petition with the city council within 20 days of the date of seizure, which shall contain the following information: name, address and phone number, and a reference to the date, time, the type of property, and the basis upon which the person seeks return of the property seized. Within 20 days of receiving the petition, the city council shall hold a hearing during either a regularly scheduled council meeting or special meeting held for such purpose.
(c) Conduct of hearing. The city attorney shall present the case before the city council. All parties shall have an opportunity to present evidence involving the property that was seized. Formal rules of evidence shall not apply, but fundamental due process shall be observed during the proceedings. After considering all evidence, the city council shall have the power to return the property, deny the request or enter such other order as it deems appropriate.
(d) Any person appearing before the council pursuant to this section may appeal a final order of the council to the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court. Such an appeal shall not be a hearing de novo, but shall be limited to appellate review of the record created before the council. An appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the date of the written order appealed from.
Sec. 38-154. Sale and use of toy and novelty items.
The sale and use of items listed in section 38-151(c)(1) through (3) are permitted at all times, except as otherwise prohibited in this article.
Sec. 38-155. Sale, possession or use of fireworks; permit for public display of fireworks.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, display, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks; provided, however, that a permit may be obtained from the chief of police for a supervised public display of fireworks to be handled by a competent operator, who shall be approved by the chief of police and the chief of the fire department. Any such display for which a permit is granted shall be of such a character and so located, discharged or fired as in the opinion of the chief of the fire department, after proper inspection, shall not be hazardous to property or endanger any person.
(b) Application for a permit shall be made in writing to the chief of police at least 15 days in advance of the date of the display. The application shall be made upon forms to be developed by the chief of police and approved by the city council. If a permit is granted, sale, possession, use and distribution of fireworks for the display so permitted shall be lawful for that purpose only. No permit granted under this section shall be transferable.
Sec. 38-156. Purchase or sale of sparklers by persons under 18 years of age.
It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 to purchase or engage in the business of soliciting or peddling any sparklers.
Sec. 38-157. Possession on public property on July 4.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use or possess, without a permit obtained pursuant to section 38-155, on July 4 any sparklers, fireworks or smoke devices in or on any city- or government-owned park, sidewalk, street, property or building. Any police officer, fire officer, deputy sheriff or other duly appointed law enforcement officer is authorized to seize, take, remove or cause to be removed all such devices found in the possession of any person within the prohibited areas.
Sec. 38-158. Possession at or near parade route.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use or possess any sparklers, fireworks, smoke devices, snake or glow worm, or trick noisemaker, as those terms are defined in this article, at any parade as defined in section 66-131, or within 200 feet of any parade route permitted pursuant to section 66-132. Any police officer, fire officer, deputy sheriff or other duly appointed law enforcement officer is authorized to seize, take, remove or cause to be removed all such devices found in the possession of any person within the prohibited areas.
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At most Florida fireworks stands, consumers are asked to sign a waiver acknowledging they will only use the illegal fireworks for agricultural purposes. Signing the form doesn’t guarantee the consumer protection from the law — but it does absolve the vendor of any legal responsibility, state officials said.
“It’s not up to us to explain it. It’s up to the consumer to purchase them legally,” said one local fireworks vendor.
For vendors, it’s about business. But for consumers, unlawful fireworks can have hefty penalties.
According to the State Fire Marshall, If a person fills out the form and uses the fireworks for something other than agricultural purposes and are caught, it’s a first degree misdemeanor. It’s punishable by up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 in fines.
Officials said Even those fireworks that are deemed ‘safe’ are still very dangerous. Sparklers can burn at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sparklers and fireworks sparked more than 150 reported fires in fiscal year 2012-2013 across the state and caused close to $200,000 in property damage.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated fireworks were involved in an about 8,700 injuries in 2012. Children under 15 accounted for about 30 percent of the 2012 injuries.
Some municipalities throughout the state have vowed to renew enforcement efforts and arrest violators.
If you choose to “set off” fireworks; here are some safety tips:
Keep a fire extinguisher or water hose on-hand for emergencies. It’s a good idea to drop used sparklers in a bucket of water.
Use sparklers and other legal novelties on a flat, hard surface in an open area. Do not light them on grass.
Keep children and pets at least 30 feet away from all ignited sparklers.
Light only one item at a time and never attempt to re-light a “dud.”
Don’t use any unwrapped items or items that may have been tampered with.
Only purchase fireworks from licensed vendors.
Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. After the firework display, children should never pick up fireworks because they may still be active.
Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
Avoid lighting off fireworks in residential neighborhoods where houses are in close proximity to one another
Jeremy Easley [Mugshot]Belleview, Florida — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Investigations Unit arrested Jeremy Easley, 38, on Monday for a home invasion that occurred on December 23rd in the area of Southeast 45th Avenue, Belleview.
The 15-year-old female victim told detectives she heard someone knock at the front door, at which time she looked out the front window to see who it was. The victim stated that Easley knocked on the door and rang the doorbell several times.
When no one answered, the girl stated that Easley walked to his car, put on gloves, and grabbed a silver hammer with a black grip.
Easley then went to the back sliding glass door of the home and began striking the glass with the hammer. After the fourth try, the girl stated she heard Easley grunt really loud and hit the glass a fifth time. She told detectives that is when the glass shattered.
Once Easley entered the residence, he walked up to the girl and demanded her cell phone, which she had in her hand. The girl stated that Easley raised the hammer and said, “Give me the phone or I will hit you with the hammer.”
Easley took the cell phone from the girl, depriving her of the ability to call for help.
Easley then demanded money and jewelry. When the girl told him she didn’t know where it was, he went to her parents’ bedroom and rummaged through their belongings.
According to reports, Easley then exited the room and said, “I have the house surrounded with friends, if you leave, I will come back for you.”
Easley then fled the area.
The girl told detectives she waited a few minutes, then retrieved her house phone and called 911. She stated she was in fear for her life.
An eyewitness that knew the car was out of place took down the tag number of Easley’s car.
Easley was stopped by deputies a short time later, but he denied any involvement.
A search warrant was executed on December 29, to which investigators found the clothes Easley was wearing the night of the home invasion and jewelry belonging to the victim’s mom.
Easley was charged with Robbery Home Invasion with a Weapon and Obstructing Justice- Intimidate Threaten Victim.
He is being held on $110,000 bond.
Easley was living in a motel at the time of his arrest.
Tallahassee, Florida — Beginning January 1, big changes are coming in the way children would be strapped into a vehicle in Florida. Until recently, Florida was one of only two states in the nation that did not have a law requiring booster seats for children who had outgrown baby seats, but were still too small for seat belts. But a law — pushed by advocates for more than a decade — and signed into law by Governor Rick Scott on Tuesday, now mandates booster seats for children ages three to five. However, height requirements must also be met after age five.
In a press release, The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said children ages four and five will soon be required to sit in a child safety seat or booster seat rather than only using a seat belt.
The new law goes into effect at midnight on January 1.
After age five, children are ready to wear seat belts without a booster seat if they are at least 4 foot 9, can sit all the way back, and have their knees bend at the edge of the seat.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, riding while improperly restrained is one of the reasons traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for American children ages 5 to 14.
Other states have laws stricter than Florida’s new one. Georgia, for example, requires kids up to age eight to be in some kind of safety seat, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Past efforts to raise the age requirement for car seats have gone nowhere in the Legislature. Former Governor Jeb Bush, in 2001, vetoed a bill to increase the age.
The following recommendations can help determine if your child, after age five, is ready to wear a seat belt without a booster seat:
the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall
the child can sit all the way back in the seat and bend knees at the edge of the seat
the shoulder belt lays across the chest, not the neck
the lap belt lays across the upper thighs, not the stomach
Depending on the size of the child and where the seat belt crosses the body, many children may need booster seats beyond the age required by law
Marion Oaks — At some point in time, someone, who apparently could not spell, wrote a message to law enforcement on the sidewalk near the sheriff’s substation and the basketball courts in Marion Oaks.
Residents have stated that the message was written shortly after the sidewalk was poured, but it was never removed. However, sources indicated it was pressure washed off, only for the message to be reapplied.
The message read, “F**k dah police.” The term is usually written as FTP and has been around for decades.
According to authorities, the poorly worded and ill-timed message is a form of vandalism and is not considered Freedom of Speech. The message is not being interpreted as a threat.
Young children and teens are often seen hanging out in the area — sometimes after midnight.
If you have any information about this crime, 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.
Vandals adhere posters to government property. [Click photo to enlarge]Lake Worth, Florida — According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, during the early morning hours of Christmas Eve, a black male and female were seen affixing posters with a sticky adhesive that read, “Black lives matter,” “Beware killer cops on the loose,” and other posters that offered exaggerated statistics on how it is more likely black people would be shot by police than whites.
These posters were affixed on pillars, columns, and light posts near high traffic areas on government property.
Unfortunately for the suspects, acts of vandalism, graffiti, or destruction of government property is not protected by Freedom of Speech.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, Therese Barbera, wrote, “We are not against their first amendment rights. We would like to identify and speak with these ‘persons of interest’ in hopes that they would choose another forum in the future to share their thoughts and feelings. Affixing posters/signs with sticky adhesive to government property is not acceptable.”
Officials are asking the public to share their photos on social media to help identify them. If you have any information about these individuals, you are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.
Tallahassee, Florida — According to reports, Florida’s minimum wage will increase to $8.05 an hour on January 1.
On New Year’s Day, Florida’s minimum wage will increase by 12 cents to $8.05 per hour, benefiting an estimated 364,000 low-wage workers in the state.
The minimum wage for tipped workers in Florida, will rise by 12 cents to $5.03 per hour. The increased consumer spending generated by Florida’s minimum wage increase will boost economic growth by $38.7 million, according to an analysis of Census data by the nonpartisan Economic Policy Institute.
In 2004, voters approved an amendment that requires the hourly wage to be adjusted each year based on the rate of inflation.
Since voters approved the amendment, the state’s minimum wage has increased by nearly $3.
Under the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013, supported by President Obama and introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives last year, the federal minimum wage would have increased to $10.10 per hour and adjusted annually to account for inflation. It would also have gradually raised the minimum wage for tipped workers from its current low rate of $2.13 per hour, where it has been frozen since 1991, to 70 percent of the full minimum wage.
Dade City, Florida — Three shots were fired at two Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies conducting traffic enforcement early Sunday morning in Dade City.
At approximately 3:30 a.m., Sunday, the two deputies were inside their individual cars in the parking lot of Northside Baptist Church, 37047 Lock Street, monitoring the intersection of 21st and Lock Street, when three bullets were fired at them.
No one was hit and no one was injured.
Deputies said the bullets were so close they could hear the whizzing sound of each projectile as they flew by. Deputies did not see the suspect or the vehicle from which the shots were fired.
Area residents also heard the three gunshots and reported seeing a small, dark-colored vehicle with tinted windows in the area at the time of the shooting.
Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies are also searching for the person(s) responsible for graffiti encouraging the shooting of law enforcement members found Friday in Wesley Chapel. The threat, which was spray painted on a road barrier at the end of Mansfield Road in the Meadow Point subdivision, read: “Shoot MP Cop.” The vandalism took place sometime between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday.
Anyone with any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) involved should call the Pasco Sheriff’s Office at (727) 847-8102 or 1-800-706-2488. Tips can also be provided online and anonymously at: https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=615.
Ocala, Florida — Detectives with the Ocala Police Department are investigating a drive-by shooting that occurred on Saturday.
The shooting happened in the 1900 block of West Silver Springs Boulevard, near the Big Apple grocery store.
According to reports, Kevin Hart, 26, was struck by one of many bullets that were fired. Several of the bullets hit his car, while one of the bullets struck Hart in the left eye.
Hart drove himself to Munroe Regional Medical Center, where he underwent surgery to have the bullet removed from his eye.
Authorities said they are unsure if Hart permanently lost his eye as a result of the shooting.
Hart said he did not know the shooters.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000. You can also submit tips through their mobile app, MyPD, or Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP(7867), www.ocalacrimestoppers.com; or by texting tips to 274637 using keyword 368STOP. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Mary Lou Hutson remains in critical condition following Christmas morning shooting.
Marion Oaks, Florida — Mary Lou Hutson, 55, remains in critical condition following a Christmas morning’s shooting in the 6000 block of SW 131st Lane, Marion Oaks.
Shooter Preston Daniel Pollard [Deceased]Detectives believe Preston Daniel Pollard, 23, drove all the way from Venus, Texas, for the sole purpose to shoot the victims. When he arrived at the residence, he opened the front door and began firing. Pollard was known to the family and was the ex-boyfriend of the 18-year-old living in the residence.
Pollard fatally shot Richard Hutson, 36, early Thursday morning. Hutson’s wife, Mary Lou, was critically injured during the shooting.
Three juveniles were in the house at the time, along with the 18-year-old. The juveniles hid in the bathroom, while the 18-year-old exited the back of the residence and went to a neighbor for help.
The neighbor was an Ocala police officer.
The Hutson family
Richard Hutson was declared deceased on scene. His wife, Mary Lou, was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was rushed into surgery. She remains in critical condition.
After the shooting, Pollard got into his 2002 blue two door Honda Civic and headed back to Texas.
Around 5:30 a.m. Christmas morning, the Florida Highway Patrol, along with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, spotted Pollard’s vehicle going westbound on I-10, at which time they attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Pollard was traveling 70 mph and shortly after officers got behind his vehicle, Pollard committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. Pollard’s vehicle then made a 90 degree turn, veered off the roadway, and crashed into a wooded area. The crash site was located between mile markers 66 and 67, just inside Okaloosa County.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives believe that Pollard used the murder weapon to shoot himself.
Preston’s father, Stephen Pollard, said the version of events being told by authorities does not even make sense. Stephen said his son does not even own a gun. He also said Preston’s girlfriend was supposed to drive to Texas for the holidays, but something happened that she could not make it.
Stephen said his son, who started working for the U.S. Air Force in September, was not a violent person. “I am struggling to understand the events that have taken place,” Stephen said.
Family members from both families said Christmas would never be the same.
Ocala, Florida — The Ocala Police Department is investigating a shooting at Spring Manor Apartments, located at 2851 NE 7th Street, Ocala.
Known drug-dealer, Antonio “DaBoss” Jones, 23, was shot multiple times at approximately 8:30 a.m. on December 29. According to public information officer, Sergeant Angy Scroble, Jones later died from his injuries. He was pronounced dead at 9:27 a.m.
Sergeant Angy Scroble said residents who live in the area, usually do not cooperate with police. A female resident who lives in the apartments admitted to knowing who shot Jones, but refuses to give the information to police.
Spring Manor Apartments is known for prostitution, drugs, and a place where criminals deal in stolen property.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000. You can also submit tips through their mobile app, MyPD, or Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP(7867), www.ocalacrimestoppers.com; or by texting tips to 274637 using keyword 368STOP. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Elizabeth Davis [left] and Wesley BenoitVenice, Florida — The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a couple who allegedly lived with their 2-year-old twin girls in a home of feces, stench, and filth.
Deputies responded to the residence on Briarwood Road after the alleged victim, Elizabeth Davis, 32, called 911 and stated that her boyfriend, Wesley Benoit, 35, threatened to kill her and the children in the home.
Deputies said what they saw when they arrived was so disgusting, it literally turned their stomachs. They said the smell was putrid.
Deputies said all linens, closets, walls, ceilings, and floors were covered in smeared feces.
Inside the bathroom shower stall, deputies found a kiddie pool with stagnant water coated with a brown film.
Garbage, maggots, and mold also covered the floors.
Kitchen sink
Photographs taken by the sheriffs office showed mold covered dishes in the sink with standing water and decaying food. They said the sink had clearly been backed-up for months.
According to reports, the children’s bedroom was covered in years worth of smeared feces, and the twins had also been sleeping in a bed soaked in urine and feces.
Bedroom
They say the children’s bedroom was entirely coated with smeared feces.
The toddlers were found in the home unclothed and not wearing diapers.
Davis told deputies that Benoit would purposely urinate on the carpeted floors instead of using the bathroom.
When asked why they were living in such filth, Davis replied, “I clean the house every day, and in my opinion I don’t think it’s filthy or messy.”
Davis has prior arrests for Burglary, Petit Theft, Fleeing to Elude, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Benoit has been arrested for Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Burglary, Grand Theft, and Drug Possession.
Deputies said they also found crystal meth and other drug paraphernalia on the back porch of the home.
Now the couple can add Felony Child Neglect to their resume.
Ocala, Florida — Two females literally laughed their way to jail yesterday after they were caught stealing merchandise from a Walmart, located at 2600 S.W. 19th Avenue Road, Ocala.
Cassandra Brown, 22, and Stephanie Brown, 23, were seen removing merchandise off shelves and placing it into empty Walmart bags. The duo then selected two purses from the store and began filling them with stolen merchandise.
The two were stopped after they attempted to exit the store without paying for the items.
According to reports, both women were laughing and smiling in the backseat of the patrol car, while being transported to the Marion County Jail. Cassandra told the officer, “We are laughing because we stole and got in trouble, and laugh about it is all we can do.”
Both were charged with Retail Grand Theft (F). Cassandra was arrested in August for Leaving the scene of an Accident Involving Property Damage. Stephanie was arrested in June for Driving on a Suspended License.
Marion Oaks — A Marion Oaks thief robbed a family of their Christmas gifts.
Earlier today, Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 13000 block of S.W. 84th Terrace Road, Marion Oaks, in reference to a burglary.
A resident called 911 after arriving home to find that the front door of their residence had been kicked in.
The thieve(s) stole TVs, a shotgun, and the family’s Christmas presents from under the Christmas tree. The burglar even knocked over the tree before exiting the home.
The family suffered a loss of more than $2,000.
If anyone has any information, you are asked to call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, or Detective Adrian Lewis at 352-402-6030. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Ocala, Florida — Last night, at approximately 8:45 p.m., an employee of the La Quinta Inn, located at SW 36th Avenue, Ocala was robbed at gunpoint.
The employee stated that a man walked in, handed her a black pouch, pulled out a handgun, and said, “Take out the cash quickly and I won’t shoot you.”
K-9 Officer Walsh was able to establish a good track, but the suspect was able to get away. According to the police report, the robber got away with $185.00.
He is described as a white male in his 50s early 60s , 6 foot tall, bald, and missing some of his upper teeth.
Take a good look at the video. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000 or tips may also be submitted through their mobile app, MyPD. Tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP (7867), at www.ocalacrimestoppers.com , or by texting keyword 368STOP to 274637.
The New York premiere of “The Interview,” a Sony Pictures comedy about the assassination of North Korean President Kim Jong-Un, has been canceled and a source said theater chains had scrapped plans to show it, after threats from a hacking group.
The hackers also warned people to stay away from cinemas showing the film starring James Franco and Seth Rogen, and darkly reminded movie-goers of the September 11 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York.
“The world will be full of fear,” the message reads. “Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time. If your house is nearby, you’d better leave. Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment.”
A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman said in state media that the movie’s release would be an “act of war.”
The North Korea spokesman was quoted by the state KCNA news agency as saying, “Making and releasing a movie on a plot to hurt our top-level leadership is the most blatant act of terrorism and war, and will absolutely not be tolerated.”
He added that the “reckless U.S. provocative insanity” of mobilising a “gangster filmmaker” to challenge the North’s leadership was triggering “a gust of hatred and rage” among North Korean people and soldiers.
“If the U.S. administration allows and defends the showing of the film, a merciless counter-measure will be taken,” the spokesman said.
U.S. officials have concluded that North Korea was “centrally involved” in the hacking of Sony Pictures computers, even as the studio canceled the release of a far-fetched comedy about the assassination of the North’s leader that is believed to have led to the cyber-attack.
Americans have turned to social media by the thousands, expressing disappointment in Sony and movie theaters for giving in to North Korea.
In June, Seth Rogen “tweeted” about the incident, writing, “”People don’t usually wanna kill me for one of my movies until after they’ve paid 12 bucks for it.”
President Obama called the cyber-attack on Sony “very serious” but suggested that the administration has yet to establish the hacker threat to moviegoers over “The Interview” as credible.
“For now, my recommendation would be that people go to the movies,” he said.
An attack that began by wiping out data on corporate computers — something that had been previously seen in South Korea and Saudi Arabia — had turned “into a threat to the safety of Americans,” officials said.
It is not clear how U.S. Intelligence officials determined that Mr. Kim’s government had played a central role in the Sony attacks. However, officials did say that North Korea’s computer network has been notoriously difficult to infiltrate. The National Security Agency began a major effort four years ago to penetrate the country’s computer operations, including its elite cyber-team, and to establish “implants” in the country’s networks that, like a radar system, would monitor the development of malware transmitted from the country. Apparently they failed.
A spokesperson for Sony said, “Those who attacked us stole our intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and sought to destroy our spirit and our morale – all apparently to thwart the release of a movie they did not like.”
“In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film “The Interview,” we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release,” Sony said.
Sony says it understands its partners’ decision, but are “deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie.”
“We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.”
Sony added, “We stand by our film makers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.”
Regal Cinemas, AMC Entertainment, and Cinemark Theatres – the top three theater chains in North America – subsequently announced they were postponing screenings, and Canada’s biggest theater firms also pulled out, leaving Sony seemingly no choice but to postpone the film.
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel “tweeted” that the decision by theaters to refuse to show the film was “An un-American act of cowardice that validates terrorist actions and sets a terrifying precedent.”
“The Interview” cost Sony an estimated $42 million to produce.
A studio spokesman for Sony said that Sony had “no further plans” to release the comedy, either on VOD or DVD.
The administrators of the illegal file-sharing site, The Pirate Bay, have spoken out for the first time since a police raid knocked the site offline.
A Pirate Bay administrator known only as “Mr 10100100000” explained that site administrators aren’t worried about the prolonged downtime.
“We were not that surprised by the raid. That is something that is a part of this game. We couldn’t care less really,” the administrator told TorrentFreak.
The Pirate Bay went offline on December 9 after Swedish police raided a hosting company in Stockholm. It hasn’t resurfaced since then, which has led some to speculate that the world’s largest file-sharing site could be gone forever.
“There has been a crackdown on a server room in Greater Stockholm. This is in connection with violations of copyright law,” said Paul Pintér, police national coordinator for IP enforcement.
Police are staying quiet on the exact location of the operation and the targets involved, but the fact that the national police IP chief is involved at this early stage suggests something sizable.
Police did say tracking the servers was not easy.
In September, the group behind The Pirate Bay revealed the clever combination of servers that was supposed to keep it from being shut down by police. The Pirate Bay owners use a network of virtual machines to mask traffic, splitting the traffic loads around the world so that the site doesn’t rely on a single server. When the raid happened, the backup was supposed to kick in, but it failed. Had the system worked properly, police would have been out of luck.
Police also secretly had help from Google.
Google’s crackdown of the popular torrent resources shows strict filtering of piracy-related items. When users begin to type the word “thepirate,” they won’t get auto-complete suggestions before hitting the enter button. The censorship of piracy-related searches started back in January 2011. The restrictions included keywords such as “BitTorrent,” “uTorrent,” “Megaupload,” “Rapidshare,” and “Mediafire.” There’s not enough room for infringing items such as music, videos, e-books and other digital files.
TorrentFreak, a website featuring scoops and latest news on BitTorrent protocol and other file sharing said, “By censoring parts of their search services, Google is sending out a strong signal that they are committed to combating online copyright infringement, and to a certain degree their efforts are effective.”
Most likely, the censorship has caused a decrease of the Google searches for “The Pirate Bay.” Interestingly, The Pirate Bay said Google’s censorship didn’t affect much of their traffic. “Any form of censorship is deemed null due to the previously gone record that even the most popular search engine doesn’t drive much traffic to the site.”
Website owners said Google is the biggest nark for law enforcement agencies across the globe. “Google’s name always pops up in police reports as the source of information received by police.”
The group behind The Pirate Bay said they don’t promise to bring the site back. They say that they have “taken this opportunity to give ourselves a break.”
Mr 10100100000 answered a question from TorrentFreak about whether the site will return. “Will we reboot? We don’t know yet,” he said. “But if and when we do, it’ll be with a bang.”
Like the group Anonymous, there are no leaders and no single person in charge.
“About 30 to 50 people from all over the world put forth their ideas, and whatever comes out of that is what will be the fate of The Pirate Bay, Mr 10100100000 said.
IsoHunt, one of Pirate Bay’s largest rivals, has since uploaded a clone of The Pirate Bay. An anti-piracy firm, which tracks the number of people downloading torrents, said there was a noticeable dip in downloads in the two days following the The Pirate Bay’s shutdown; however, downloads are already back up to the same level as before due to IsoHunt. They said officials are furious.
IsoHunt said, “If The Pirate Bay is revived, we will take down the clone.”
