Rhonda Branch [Left] and Antonio Allen [Right]Lakeland, Florida — Around 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 25-year-old Rhonda Branch, and her boyfriend, 26-year-old Antonio Allen, both of 2103 Reynolds Road in Lakeland, when their neighbors called PCSO to report a three-year-old toddler was locked out of the residence for over an hour, and was outside crying.
“Rhonda Branch is certainly no ‘Woman Of The Year’ candidate – she and her boyfriend sat in their house, smoked pot and inhaled nitrous oxide, and completely neglected a helpless 3-year-old baby boy for whom they were responsible. They are the perfect example of why using illegal drugs is harmful, and should continue to be illegal,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.
According to the arrest affidavits, the young child was very upset, crying, and banging on the doors and windows of the home trying to get someone to let him inside. Neighbors said it appeared the child had been locked out of the house for quite some time. The neighbors called PCSO and cared for the small child until deputies arrived. When deputies arrived, they banged on the doors and windows for approximately 10-15 minutes before getting a response.
When Rhonda Branch and Antonio Allen finally opened the door, a cloud of smoke billowed out that smelled like marijuana. The pair admitted to smoking marijuana and ingesting “whip it” (whipped cream nitrous oxide canisters). Marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and the nitrous oxide canisters were easily located in the house.
Branch and Allen admitted to using the drugs “all morning” and then going into their bedroom to take a nap, and that neither were supervising the small child. They told deputies that “marijuana should be legal anyways” and that is why they smoke it all the time. Neither of the adults were aware that the toddler was locked outside. Branch admitted he has gotten out of the house twice before in the past two weeks. The home is located on a busy road.
Allen was so intoxicated that while speaking with the deputy he fell over and hit his head on the ground. Branch had two black eyes. She stated that she had recently done a “whip it,” passed out and smacked her head on something.
Branch and Allen were both placed under arrest and booked into the Polk County Jail for the following charges:
One count Child Neglect (F-3)
One count Possession of Marijuana (M-1)
One count Inhaling Harmful Chemicals (M-2)
One count Maintaining a Home for Drug Use (M-1)
One count Possession of Paraphernalia (M-2)
Branch has no prior arrests in Polk County. Allen has been in the Polk County Jail on four prior occasions, for Armed Trafficking, Possession of Marijuana, Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Aggravated Domestic Battery on a Pregnant Victim, and VOP. In 2008 he was sentenced to 5 years in state prison for the Trafficking and Weapons charges. He was released in August 2013.
Robert Wood [Mugshot]Summerfield, Florida — Marion County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man and chargeg him with five felonies after they say he resisted after being handcuffed.
On May 19, 2014, Deputy Douglas Watts responded to the 1400 block of SE 55 Avenue in reference to a domestic altercation.
When Deputy Watts arrived on the scene he could see Robert Wood, 28, holding a female victim by the hair while trying to drag her inside the residence. Watts instructed Wood to stop and place his hands behind his back.
According to reports, Wood was compliant and followed Watts’ orders until he and the victim began talking, which aggravated Wood to the point he became aggressive.
Deputy Watts said that Wood walked up to him and began bumping him with his chest.
Deputy Travis O’cull arrived on the scene shortly after Wood became aggressive.
According to Deputy O’cull, when he arrived Watts was on top of Wood in the front yard of the residence. O’cull said that Wood was kicking his feet and trying to grab deputy Watts’ hands and fingers, while at the same time trying to rotate his body in an attempt to get up.
Deputies Watts and O’cull said as they began walking Wood to a patrol vehicle, Wood wrapped both of his legs around Watts’ left leg which caused all three of them to fall.
According to the deputies, they gave several verbal commands to Wood instructing him to stop. Deputy O’cull then gave several knee strikes to Wood’s left side between his shoulders and waist. Deputy O’cull said the knee strikes were successful.
Once they were at the patrol vehicle, Wood was placed into leg restraints to keep him from kicking.
Deputy O’cull then spoke with the victim whom had a swollen left eye, chunks of hair pulled from her head and a bloody mouth. The victim said she had gone to the residence so she could pick up her clothes and personal items since she and her boyfriend were breaking up.
She said when she arrive at the residence Wood was intoxicated and she had a feeling something was going to happen. She then took her children to a neighbors house.
Shortly after, Wood started and argument with her so she decided to leave. As she was leaving, Wood followed her and began punching her. She said she was able to make it to her vehicle, but he reached into the car and began punching her repeatedly with a closed fist. She said he then grabbed her by the hair and started slamming her head into the head rest. With one hand holding her hair, he placed his other hand over her nose and mouth so tight that she couldn’t breathe, at which point she began to blow the horn.
A neighbor told deputies that when he heard the horn blowing he went outside and saw Wood punching the victim. He said Wood was screaming, “I am going to kill you.”
During the commotion, deputies learned that Wood had also struck one of the children with a belt approximately two weeks earlier. According to reports, Wood hit the child so hard [that] the belt marks were still visible.
Wood was transported to the hospital, treated and released. He was then transported to the Marion County Jail.
He is charged with Cruelty Toward a Child/Child Abuse (F), Domestic Battery by Strangulation (F), Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (F), Resisting Arrest with Violence (F) and Violation of Probation (F).
He is currently still being held at the Marion County Jail.
There will be a Roadside Safety Checkpoint Friday, May 23, 2014, from 10:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. in the 1600 block of SE Fort King Street.
The Ocala Police Department says the checkpoint is intended to look for traffic violations such as drivers who are impaired, vehicles with faulty equipment, drivers without a valid license, no proof of insurance and drivers not wearing their seat belt.
If you do not want to be held up in traffic, you may want to consider an alternate route.
Zachary Malvasia [Mugshot]Polk County, Florida — On May 21, 2014, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 14-year-old Zachary Malvasia of Lakeland, a student at Crystal Lake Middle School, and charged him with one count Poison Food/Water (F-1) for putting hand sanitizer in his teacher’s water.
According to the affidavit, during the morning hours of May 20, 2014 the victim, Ana Morejon, a teacher at the school, stepped outside of her classroom to discuss a matter with the dean of students. While she was outside in the hallway, the students inside the classroom got out of their seats and lined up to get ready to head to lunch.
When Morejon came back into the room, she took a sip from the cup of water that sits on her desk. She noticed the water tasted funny, so she took another sip. She then took the lid off the cup and smelled the water, and detected the odor of hand sanitizer, which also sits on her desk. Detectives were told Ms. Morejon went to Bartow Regional Medical Center on the advice of her doctor to be evaluated because she was experiencing symptoms of not feeling well, including a headache and stomach ache.
During the investigation, the suspect, Malvasia, was identified by two student witnesses as the student who intentionally squirted Zep’s Professional Hand Sanitizer into his teacher’s cup. Deputies arrested Malvasia on the aforementioned charges and transported him to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
He did not give a reason as to why he squirted hand sanitizer in his teachers drink.
Chief Mike Chitwood, Daytona Beach Police Department
Daytona Beach, Florida — Ocala Post has now received the body cam video of two Daytona Beach Police Officers, following the completion of an Internal Affairs investigation.
On June 13, 2013, Officers Justin Ranum and Matthew Booth encountered Ms. Christine Chippewa, 36, (complainant) near the boat ramps of the Seabreeze Bridge (eastern span).
Chippewa was alone in her boyfriend’s vehicle and appeared to have mechanical issues. The officers spoke to Chippewa and established that she was not in medical distress. This interaction was captured on Officer Ranum’s Mobile Video Recorder (MVR).
Approximately ten to fifteen minutes after speaking with Chippewa, the officers noticed she continued to have issues with her vehicle. The officers re-approached Chippewa because they felt her behavior was suspicious. Chippewa said she realized the car was not out of gas as she originally suspected and she had forgotten to press in the clutch.
During the second contact with Chippewa, Officer Ranum began to question why she was really at the boat ramp. Officer Ranum asked for and received oral consent to search Chippewa’s vehicle and her purse. Officer Booth began searching Chippewa’s vehicle as Officer Ranum began searching her purse.
While Officer Booth was searching Chippewa’s boyfriend’s vehicle, Officer Ranum stated that he observed Chippewa unbutton her shorts and wrote in his offense report that he felt like she was trying to hide something. Officer Ranum approached Chippewa and asked if she had anything in her shorts. As Chippewa answered “no”, she turned her pockets inside out. Officer Ranum wrote in his report he saw a “large bulge” in Chippewa’s left cheek area. Officer Ranum asked Chippewa what was in her mouth and she said “nothing.” Officer Ranum stated that he then asked to see inside of her mouth, at which time Chippewa opened her mouth and Officer Ranum says he saw what he suspected was illegal narcotics. Officer Ranum reported Chippewa began trying to chew and swallow the substance. Officer Ranum stated that he told Chippewa to spit out the substance and she attempted to pull away from him.
Officer Ranum said he took hold of Chippewa to keep her from “tampering with evidence.” Officer Ranum took the defendant to the ground to gain better control over her in an attempt to retrieve the alleged narcotics. The struggle between Officer Ranum and Chippewa continued as Officer Booth ran over and assisted Officer Ranum.
Officer Ranum also wrote that the incident was captured on his MVR, but in actuality only the last few moments of the encounter were captured due to the fact his body cam had been shut off.
While the body cam was turned off, Officers Ranum and Booth continued to press Chippewa’s face into the pavement while they squeezed her cheeks in an attempt to open her mouth and retrieve the alleged narcotics. While Officer Booth was squeezing her cheeks she clamped down with her teeth. Officer Booth wrote in his report that when she clamped down it caused him pain, so he kicked her in the head.
When Chippewa would not open her mouth, Officer Booth took his department issued flashlight and jammed it in her mouth while simultaneously sticking his fingers in her mouth. Officer Booth referred to it as the “flashlight technique.” At some point Officer Booth removed the flashlight and Chippewa’s teeth made direct contact with Booth’s fingers. Booth said he then removed his fingers from her mouth and did not locate any narcotics. When Officer Booth removed his fingers he had blood and saliva on them, he then wiped his fingers on Chippewa’s sweatshirt.
The Internal Affairs report reads as follows:
Directive 1006 defines an officer’s use of deadly force as: “Deadly Force: Techniques used as a last resort, which may result in imminent death, great bodily harm, or permanent disfigurement, such as the use of a firearm or impact weapon strikes to the head.”
The investigator noted that knee strikes and kicks to the head are prohibited by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) as well as Daytona Beach Police Department policy, unless, “A subject makes overt, hostile, attacking movements with or without a weapon with the intent and apparent ability to cause death or great bodily harm to the officer or others.”
He also noted that using forceful techniques such as knee strikes, kicks, impact weapons or any other physical force that could cause bodily harm, cannot be used simply because a citizen would not comply with the orders of a law enforcement officer.
Officer Anthony Galante with the Daytona Beach Police Department, and certified FDLE defensive tactics trainer, told investigators that an officer should never use knee strikes except when deadly force is authorized. He also stated that it is extremely dangerous and very hazardous for an officer to stick their fingers in a suspects mouth.
During the investigation it was learned that Officer Booth expressed some concern to Officer Ranum, and told Ranum he was worried about what occurred because this was a “use of force incident” and they did not recover any evidence.
Officer Ranum asked Officer Booth if he had completed his report. Officer Booth said, “I’m not writing anything until you write yours because God forbid we write something in the least bit different.” Officer Booth said in his interview that he wanted to “rehash the incident with Officer Ranum and make sure all of their ducks are in a row” before writing his report. Officer Booth indicated that he wanted to make sure they both remembered the incident correctly before writing his report. Officer Booth also said his supervisor was meticulous about accurate report writing and he wanted to make sure that he and Officer Ranum “were both on the same page”.
Officer Justin Ranum resigned while being the subject of this investigation. His resignation took place on July 31, 2013.
Officer Booth was terminated at the conclusion of this investigation for:
Failing to Acknowledge and Adhere to Laws and Directives
Making False Statements
Conduct in Arresting and Dealing with Law Violators
Use of Force (Strikes to the Head)
Unauthorized Actions Regarding Use of Force
Chippewa was transported to the hospital the night of the incident, however it was determined that she did not need to be treated for ingesting a narcotic.
She was, however, treated for a bloody mouth (split lip), abrasions (road rash) to the face, injuries to the torso and a knot on her head from being kicked.
Officer Booth admitted that he did not actually see any narcotics in Chippewa’s mouth.
Officers that arrived on the scene the night of the incident testified that Chippewa did not appear to be impaired in any way and was extremely cooperative. Officers did state during interviews that Chippewa looked “rough” from her injuries.
“We don’t break the law to enforce the law. And I don’t tolerate excessive force,” said Chief Mike Chitwood, Daytona Beach Police Department.
Chief Mike Chitwood said the investigation first caught his eye when it was discovered there may have been a possibility the officers turned off their body cams.
“We believe Officer Booth’s actions and the injuries that this woman suffered are conducive to excessive force. That’s not how we operate. We don’t just jam flashlights down their throats, jam fingers down there and everything else,” said Chief Chitwood.
Chief Mike Chitwood also said that all officers are required to wear body cams and keep them on at all times.
In recent interviews with Dayton Beach residents, Chief Mike Chitwood was praised. The chief is known for his no nonsense attitude and a by-the-book kind of guy. Chitwood says he does not allow his officers to violate citizens constitutional rights, he wants the public to have trust in the police.
Chief Mike Chitwood has also been known to leave his desk and patrol the streets of Daytona. He does not believe in just sitting behind the desk he says. He also participates in bicycle patrol with his officers. He says he would not make his officers do something that he would not do himself.
Chippewa was charged with Resisting Arrest and Tampering With Evidence, those charges were later dismissed.
Pharrell Williams’ video “Happy” by six Iranian students
Iran — Six students who were arrested in Iran for dancing in a YouTube video to Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy” have been freed, according to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.
They were released after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tweeted, “Happiness is our people’s right. We shouldn’t be too hard on behaviors caused by joy.”
One of the six students announced that she was freed. “Hi I’m back,” Reihane Taravati wrote on her Instagram account, thanking Williams and “everyone who cared about us.”
Tehran Police Chief Hossein Sajedinia, ordered the six arrested because they made an “obscene” video. He also says that women are forbidden to dance in public.
Pharrell Williams wrote on his Facebook page, “It is beyond sad that these kids were arrested for trying to spread happiness.”
A storm of outrage filled social media pages following the arrests.
One person tweeted, “No one can be happy as long as they are living in Iran.”
According to documents released by Police Chief Sajedinia, he forced the student to repent on state TV, and has forbidden them to speak with American media outlets. Sajedinia wrote, “It is not over.”
Mims [left] Wallace [right]Houston, Texas — Robert Wallace, 32, of Houston, filed a lawsuit against a stripper today.
Wallace says that he and stripper, Nomi Mims (stage name), were in an intimate relationship, or so she led him to believe.
He says he bought her extravagant gifts, allowed her to borrow movies, even gave her credit cards.
Wallace said, “We were building a future together.”
Mims claims that the relationship was strictly professional, but says she does consider him a friend as well as a good customer. Mims said that she finds it unfortunate that she gave Wallace the wrong impression.
Mims said, “We don’t give refunds or rain checks in the strip club. We also don’t do lay-a-way.”
She said that strippers sue customers all the time, but she has never heard of a customer suing a stripper.
Wallace said he also loaned Mims over $2,000 and he wants Mims to return everything he gave her; including the credits cards, cash and a lap top.
Mims said, “I have given him gifts too. How am I supposed to get my boobs and booty back?”
Wallace vows that he will never date a stripper again.
Ocala, Florida — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a possible unreported homicide that occurred at 3070 SW 89 Place in the year 2000. Information was given to the sheriff’s department two months ago concerning Jerry Chirstilaw, who has not been seen since 2000.
The preliminary investigation has revealed that Chirstilaw died during a domestic dispute and was buried in the backyard where the family previously lived.
A family member of Chirstilaw was able to respond to the location with permission from the new homeowner and pinpoint the possible burial site for investigators to search.
Today, investigators, with the assistance of the Medical Examiner and representatives from the University of Florida C.A. Pounds Lab, found what is believed to be human remains.
Following an excavation of the area, detectives will try to determine if the remains are in fact that of Jerry Chirstilaw. Investigators will also be looking for the person responsible for his death.
Investigators are currently pursuing leads on a person of interest regarding the death of Chirstilaw.
No one has seen Chirstilaw since 2000, when he was 72, however the man’s Social Security checks were being received and cashed by someone.
Chirstilaw’s family has not lived at the residence since 2001 and a missing persons report was never filed for Christilaw.
The investigation will resume on Thursday, May 22, 2014.
Michael Ziebart [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — On Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Detectives Daniel Clark and Jessica Wong arrested Michael Stephen Ziebart, III, 23, on charges of Dealing in Stolen Property and Violation of the Florida Pawn Broker’s Act – a total of 41 charges — so far.
Ziebart was, at the time, an employee of the Marion County School Board (MCSB); assigned as a Wiring Technician with an approximate yearly salary of $32,000.00 per year.
On May 16, 2014, a representative of Mark’s Jewelry & Pawn contacted the MCSB to inquire about whether or not a program existed for employees to purchase used equipment from them. This inquiry was due to Michael Ziebart having pawned two projectors on May 16, 2014, one still had the packaging receipt inside the box. The Manager of the Electronics Department of the MCSB confirmed the equipment as belonging to MCSB and Ziebart not having permission to take or pawn them.
The incident was then reported to the Ocala Police Department and upon investigation, it was found that Ziebart had pawned several items at various pawn shops in the City and County since September of 2013. The items pawned were not only equipment belonging to the MCSB, but also firearms that had been stolen from Ziebart’s uncle.
On May 20, 2014, Ziebart turned himself in at the Ocala Police Department and was interviewed by Detectives Clark and Wong. Ziebart confirmed pawning the items in question without the permission of the owners. He advised that he did it to fund a drug habit.
So far, Ziebart has received 41 charges in 20 cases. He received a total of $2,875 for pawning items with an estimated total value of $11,300. His bond was set at $230,000.
Ziebart’s employment with the Marion County School Board, which is still in the probationary period, is in the process of being terminated.
The investigation is continuing and further charges are pending.
Carl Stiles [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — An attempted traffic stop turned into a high speed chase earlier this week, leading to the arrest of a career criminal.
On May 17, 2014, Deputy Tortora was traveling west in the 2000 block of SE 59th Street, when he saw a black Ford pickup truck traveling westbound at a high rate of speed.
Deputy Tortora visually estimated the trucks speed to be approximately 80 MPH, 40 MPH over the posted speed limit. It was later learned that the pickup was actually traveling at speeds over 100 MPH.
According to reports, Deputy Tortora began pursuing the vehicle without his emergency lights activated. The deputy’s patrol vehicle reached 90 MPH without closing any distance between the suspect’s vehicle and the deputy.
The driver of the pickup, later identified as Carl Stiles, 37, pulled over in the 800 block of SE 59th street, but when the deputy activated his emergency lights, Stiles fled.
Deputy Tortora then activated his sirens and began to chase stiles.
During the chase, Deputy Tortora attempted a PIT maneuver, however, Stiles hit his brakes causing his pickup to slide down the side of the deputy’s patrol car.
Stiles ran stop signs, red lights and maintained speeds between 70-80 MPH.
After several unsuccessful attempts at a PIT maneuver, stop sticks were deployed in the 4100 block of east HWY 484. After Stiles’ tires were punctured, he continued to flee from deputies, driving through a field and chain link fence.
Stiles finally stopped his vehicle after he drove into a retention pond.
After Stiles was taken into custody, he told deputies that he had thrown a bag of cocaine out of his sunroof during the chase. According to reports, Stiles stated that he knew he would “run” if he ever saw flashing red and blue lights behind him.
Stiles did not have a valid driver’s at the time he was arrested.
He is charged with Driving While License Suspended (Habitual), Flee and Elude with Lights and Siren Activated, Possession of Cocaine, Tampering with Evidence and Criminal Mischief (breaking fence).
According to court records, Stiles has an extensive arrest history. He has been incarcerated more than a dozen times in the past 14 years.
Tevin Branton [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — On May 16, 2014, Deputy Harper responded to the 17700 block of SW 43rd Place, Ocala, in response to a home invasion robbery involving a firearm.
Deputies determined that two black males, both wielding firearms, had unlawfully entered the residence. The suspects were both wearing shirts that were concealing their faces, watch caps, and hoodies with gloves and long sleeved jackets.
One of the suspects stayed in the living room area with the homeowners and their two children, ages two (2) and nine (9).
The second suspect, later identified as Tevin Branton, 22, entered one of the bedrooms and confronted a fourth victim. Branton pointed his gun at the victim and told him to, “Get up and lay down in the living room.” The victim stated that Branton also kept loudly asking, “Where’s the money?” As they were exiting the bedroom, Branton slammed the victim in the head with a silver colored revolver.
As Branton and the other suspect held all of the victims at gun point in the living room, Branton began pointing his revolver at each victim as he pulled the trigger. According to reports, the revolver was either not loaded or it misfired.
Branton and the other suspect then confronted the homeowner and demanded money, to which the homeowner replied, “I only have $16.” The homeowner threw the money on the floor, at which time the other suspect demanded the homeowner take off his shorts. As he was taking his shorts off, the other suspect shot him in the leg.
Branton and the other suspect then fled the scene in a green VW Jetta.
The victim that was struck in the head with the revolver received nine (9) stitches to close the wound. The other victim was treated for a GSW to his leg.
During an interview, the gunshot victim told the deputy that he knew one of the suspects. He identified him as Branton. The victim stated that he recognized his eyes, as well as his very distinctive walk. The victim elaborated by stating that Branton is “duck” footed and walks funny.
During the robbery, Branton’s face cover came down allowing one of the other victims to identify him.
On Monday, May 19, 2014, Tevin Branton was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail.
He is charged with Robbery Home Invasion with a Firearm and Possession of a Weapon by a convicted Felon.
Branton has been in and out of jail since the age of 18. He has previously been arrested for Possession of Cocaine, Criminal Mischief, Possession of Marijuana, Resisting Arrest and Violation of Probation.
The second suspect is still on the run. He is considered armed and dangerous.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help.
Anyone with information about the case can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or submit a tip at www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed. A cash reward may also be available for any tip that leads to an arrest.
It should also be known that Branton was ROR (released on own recognizance) just a few hours after being arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail.
Deltona, Florida — A pit bull in Volusia County literally took a bite out of crime while defending his home and sleeping owner.
At approximately 4:30 a.m., a man was awakened by a loud crash and the sound of his pit bull barking.
The 24-year-old jumped out of bed and ran into the front room where he saw a man trying to free himself from the jaws of his pit bull. The intruder had kicked in the front door, but didn’t get far as he was greeted by the dog.
Once the man was able to free himself from the dog’s jaws, he fled on foot, followed by the pit bull.
The dog returned home a short time later.
The only clues left behind by the suspect was blood.
The suspect was described as a skinny man of unknown race wearing all black and he had something covering his face. He should have bite marks on his right arm that may require medical attention.
Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity is asked to contact Investigator Dan Shivers at 386-860-7030 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. Resident can also text a tip by texting “TIP231 plus the message” to CRIMES. Tipsters who provide information to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.
A few of the many “jacked up” trucks that were included in Sundays event. [Click photo to enlarge]Ocala, Florida — The Jacked Up For A Cause Anti-Bullying rally turned up a full parking lot at The Mojo Grill, 2015 SW 17th St, Ocala, on Sunday May 18, 2014. The event followed the Jacked Up For A Cause calendar photo shoot.
Those that didn’t know about the rally, were drawn in by the site of more than 30 “jacked up” trucks parked out front of Mojo’s.
Mario Fulgium, with Mario’s Mobile Auto Repair, whom also sponsors a few of the trucks that were present said, “I am in full support of anti-bullying, anything to support the community.” Adding, “I owe my success to the community, I have built my business based upon honesty and the community recognizes that. Word of mouth is my only advertising….and most of my business comes from the Facebook page ‘Ocala’s Word of Mouth.’ The community gives me business and I am certainly going to return the favor.”
Danny Laconte (Country Swag) stands next to Mario Fulgium of Mario’s Mobile Auto Repair while Mr. Laconte’s sons, Noah Laconte, 4, [top left] and Aiden Laconte, 7, [top right] stand on the tire of a “jacked up” 1997 Dodge. [Click photo to enlarge]Residents of all ages came out to join the festivities.
While Tiffany Lambert-Rabb was having her face painted she said, “Every time I come to Ocala I always stop at Mojo’s to eat. The fact that there just happened to be a charity event, was an added bonus. I am more than happy to donate in support of anti-bullying… and I will never outgrow getting my face painted, I love it.”
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Jessica Dauss paints Tiffany Lambert-Rabb’s face. Tiffany says you are never too old to have your face painted.
Jessica Dauss, owner of Face & Body Painting, said that she was donating her profits for the day to Jacked Up For A Cause.
Also at the rally, was Sheila Arnett, wife of County Commissioner Earl Arnett. Mrs. Arnett said she came out to show support for anti-bullying awareness. She said she fully supports the cause and feels bullying is a big problem in today’s society that needs to be addressed.
Many of the people in attendance were there to show support for Danny Pedalino, including Pedalino’s attorney, Bo Samargya of Bo Samargya, LLC.
Danny Pedalino is the father of 9-year-old Bridget Pedalino, the Hammett Bowen Elementary student whom has recently experienced a great deal of bullying.
Pedalino was arrested on April 9, 2014, for allegedly threatening students at Hammett Bowen Elementary for bullying his daughter. According to Pedalino, his encounter with the children at Hammett Bowen was incorrectly described in the arrest affidavit.
Pedalino was charged with four counts of Assault.
Pedalino said, “To make matters worse is the fact that one of the boys bullying my daughter is the son of a sheriff’s deputy. You would think that the deputy would teach his kid better manners.”
“Danny is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and as our investigation reveals more information, it is becoming abundantly clear that there was no violation of law,” said Samargya. “Even on the state’s best day of taking the statements that were said, they are not considered assault under the law. It is what they call a ‘conditioned assault,’ nobody said anything was going to take place at that point in time.”
He went on to say, “There was no imminent threat, and normally the children’s conduct after the fact would not be relevant; however, based on the continued bullying and harassment since Pedalino’s arrest, the children involved clearly are not in imminent fear. If the state refuses to drop the charges, we will take it further.”
Jacked Up For A Cause Founders, John and Ruth Sherman, said when they heard Pedalino’s story, they realized that they had something in common. Mrs. Sherman said they then became Facebook friends and both are advocates for anti-bullying.
Jacked Up For A Cause Founders John Sherman [left] Ruth Sherman [right] talk with friends while their son Koltyn Sherman sits in their “jacked up” truck. [Click photo to enlarge]Mrs. Sherman said her son, Koltyn Sherman, 18, was severely bullied for two years while he attended Dunnellon High School. She said she reported the bullying to the school several times, as well as reported it to the deputy that was stationed at the school at that time. She said the principal at that time, Michelle Lewis, ignored the situation.
Koltyn was 16-years-old at the time he was being bullied.
Koltyn said that one time during shop class, the kids that were bullying him tried to stick his hand into a saw blade while it was spinning. He said they would also bring lighters to school and burn him with them.
When the information was brought to the attention of Michelle Lewis, she said the burns must have happened at home.
Koltyn said as the bullying continued, Lewis blamed him. He said she told him he just didn’t like school and insinuated he was making everything up.
One afternoon, everything came to a head when The Dean of Discipline confronted the bullies in front of Koltyn. Koltyn said the bullies denied everything.
Ten minutes later, the bullies physically attacked Koltyn. They put him in a headlock and continually took turns punching him in the temple. The attack lasted for several minutes before a teacher arrived in the class and broke up the fight.
Koltyn suffered a ruptured blood vessel in his eye, bruises and swelling to the neck, and multiple bruises to his arms from where he was trying to block the punches.
The principal of the school would not allow Koltyn to call his parents.
According to the police report, Koltyn was assaulted at 1:36 p.m., however, the school did not notify Koltyn’s parents until 2:45 p.m. Mrs. Sherman said, “From the time Koltyn was assaulted until the time my husband and I were notified, the school did not seek medical attention for Koltyn.”
Lewis is no longer the principal at Dunnellon High School, but is the current principal at Liberty Middle School, Ocala, Florida.
Mrs. Sherman said anti-bullying awareness is very important to her, and she not only wants to bring awareness to bullying, but also expose the school board for its failure to act. She wants accountability within the school system.
Danny Pedalino delivers a speech from the bed of a “jacked up” truck. [Click photo to enlarge] The rally wrapped up with Pedalino delivering a speech from the bed of a “jacked up” truck owned by the Sherman family.
Pedalino thanked everyone for coming out to support an amazing cause and said it is his goal to change the tolerance and the blind eye turned toward bullying.
At the end of his speech the crowd clapped and cheered, one person yelling, “Way to go Danny…great job.”
If you would like more information about Jacked Up For A Cause or would like information on the upcoming calender, you can call the Sherman’s at 352-465-7473. You can also visit the Jacked Up For A Cause Facebook page.
Below are more photos of the event.
J.J, 10, [left] and Angel, 9, gladly show off their freshly painted faces during the Jacked Up For A Cause event. [Click to enlarge photo]From left: Robin Huffman, David Huffman, Bridget Pedalino, Nick Pedalino and Danny Pedalino stand in front of a Jeep owned by the Huffman’s during the Jacked Up For A Cause event. [Click photo to enlarge]Tyler Torley, 6, (Spider-Man) and Tanner Torley, 4, (Superman) demonstrate just how “jacked up” the truck is by reaching for the bumper. Parents, Gina and Mike Torley, said they are from Ocala and stopped so the kids could see the trucks. Mrs. Torley said she did’t realize it was a charity event, but supports anti-bullying 100 percent. [Click photo to enlarge]Caleb Kaczmarski, 3, waits patiently with his mom, Ashley Kaczmarski to have his face painted. Once Caleb was in the chair he was so excited, he couldn’t sit still. Ashley said she knew about the the Jacked Up For A Cause event and says she cannot believe how out of hand bullying has become. She said, “It’s horrible.” [Click photo to enlarge]Koltyn Sherman leans up against his mom and dads “jacked up” truck while talking with his father, John Sherman, and friends. [Click photo to enlarge]
Ocala, Florida — On May 18, 2014, at approximately 9:25 p.m., there was a multiple vehicle crash southbound on I-75, mile marker 345.
Florida Highway Patrol trooper Raul J. Umana, 20, was traveling northbound on I-75 in the inside lane. Trooper Umana was driving a 2007 marked FHP patrol car.
A 2014 Nissan Altima, driven by Christeia T. Jones, 28, was traveling southbound on I-75 in the inside lane. Jones’ three children, Logan Grant, 2, Lanard Maybin, 5, and Denard Maybin Jr.,7, were also in the vehicle.
Also traveling southbound on I-75 in the center lane was a 2011 Mercedes driven by Terry Scanes, 50, and a 1997 Peterbilt semi-tractor trailer driven by William Richmond, 73. Scanes was driving in front of Richmond.
Trooper Umana was attempting to make a u-turn in the center median when he lost control of his patrol car and struck the guardrail, causing his vehicle to be redirected into the inside, southbound lane, of I-75. Jones’ Altima then slammed into the front-end of Trooper Umana’s patrol car with the front of her vehicle. Jones’ Altima was then redirected and collided with Scanes’ Mercedes, causing Scanes to be propelled into the center median. Scanes smashed into the center guardrail prior to coming to final rest.
Jones’ Altima then continued into Richmond’s lane of travel. The front-end of Richmond’s tractor trailer then slammed into the rear of Jones’ Altima, which caused Both Jones and Richmond to veer off the roadway and onto the west shoulder where they both came to final rest.
The engine compartment of Jones’ vehicle caught fire and was subsequently extinguished prior to entering the occupant area of the vehicle.
All three children were airlifted to U.F. Health Shands via life flight, where they are listed in critical condition. Two of the children, Lanard and Denard, were not wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, according to reports. The children’s mom was also transported to U.F. Shands where she is listed in serious condition.
Trooper Umana, Scanes, and Richmond were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
The southbound lanes of I-75 were closed for approximately six hours. A combined total in property damage is estimated at approximately $38,000.
This is the second serious crash in less than three weeks to occur on I-75 in Ocala.
[Updated on May 19, 2014 at 7:40 p.m.]
The mom, Christeia T. Jones, 28, has been released from the hospital. An update on the condition of the children has not been released.
Simmons [Left] Officer Acerra [Right]Sumter, South Carolina — Cameron Simmons, 13, called Sumter police after he had a fight with his mom and younger brother. Simmons told police that he was upset about fighting with his mom and he didn’t want to live with her anymore.
When officer Gaetano Acerra responded to the call, he allowed Simmons to vent to him about the situation.
After several minutes of speaking with Simmons, officer Acerra went into the house to speak with the boys mother. While inside the home, Simmons wanted to show the officer his bedroom.
Officer Acerra said what he saw broke his heart.
According to Officer Acerra, Simmons didn’t have anything in his bedroom, not even a bed. Simmons would sleep on an inflatable mattress that would deflate in the middle of the night. Officer Acerra said Simmons was basically sleeping on the floor.
After leaving, Officer Acerra decided he wanted to do something about Simmons’ situation, and he did. The next day Officer Acerra began taking donations, he also contributed to the fund himself.
He then took the donations to the Habitat for Humanity and began purchasing items at discounted prices.
A few weeks later, Officer Acerra drove to Simmons’ house with a truck load full of goodies.
He brought him a bed, dresser, chair, TV, desk and a Wii game system that was donated after the person that donated it heard about what Officer Acerra was doing.
A spokesperson from the Sumter Police Department said residents in the community wrote letters to the Sumter Police Department telling them that they appreciated what the officer did. Residents thanked Officer Acerra for taking law enforcement back to what it should be, a public service.
“I didn’t do this for publicity or to get people to notice me,” Acerra said. “I did it because I could. It was the right thing to do and I think people should do things like this.”
New York — When three roommates in New York needed a couch for their apartment, they decided to be frugal and buy one from the local thrift store.
When they got the old couch home they decided to remove the covers from cushions and wash them. What they found inside the cushions was like winning the lottery.
Tucked inside the cushion covers they found $41,000 in cash. They jumped around and screamed so loud, the neighbors actually thought they had won the lottery. However that excitement was short lived when they found an envelope with a name on it.
The roommates tracked down the woman and called her. When one of the roommates told her they had found a couch, she knew exactly what couch he was referring too. The roommate said the woman told him she had been stashing money in the couch for years and when her husband died, a family member that didn’t know about the money donated the couch. The roommates said the elderly woman told them the money was literally her life savings.
The three roommates gladly returned the money to the elderly lady, but not before snapping a few photos of themselves counting the money.
The roommates say they do not have any regrets for returning the money.
Aaron Cox [Father]Deltona, Florida — A Deltona mother who hasn’t seen her daughter since 2009 was finally reunited with her today, May 17, 2014, thanks to the determined efforts of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the Prosecutor from the State Attorney’s Office and a Deputy United States Marshal.
Jodie Borchert had legal custody of her daughter, Sarah Cox, 12, while the girls father had some weekend visitation rights. However after one such visitation in August 2009, Borchert went to pick Sarah up and discovered that the father, Aaron Cox, 55, and her daughter were nowhere to be found.
Sarah was only 8-years-old when she went missing.
Borchert reported her daughter missing to the Sheriffs Office and an arrest warrant was obtained for Cox, charging him with Interference with Child Custody.
For nearly four years there were no viable leads, but investigators never gave up hope that the child would one day be found. That hope was rewarded this week when a tip revealed that the Sarah and Cox were spotted in Mexico.
That information came in on Monday May 12, 2014 from the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children. For the past five days, the Sheriffs Office, U.S. Marshals Service’s Sex Offender Unit, Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force and State Attorney’s Office worked around the clock. The tip led to a remote area in the mountains of Hidalgo, Mexico, two hours outside of Mexico City. Friday morning, working with the Department of State and Mexican authorities, a United States Marshals Service team stationed in Mexico City traveled to the remote area where they conducted surveillance. They then successfully located and arrested Cox on the Volusia County warrant and recovered the girl.
Investigators learned that the pair had no known ties to Mexico and had been living under assumed names. Agents worked with the U.S. Department of States American Citizen’s Services to get an expedited passport for the child to get her back into the United States. On Saturday, she was flown from Mexico City to Miami where she was reunited with her mother.
Deputies from the Marshals Office in Miami took custody of Cox and booked him into jail there to await extradition back to Volusia County. The enormous undertaking also involved the Maryland State Police.
Investigators said so many times child kidnappings end badly and it is a great feeling after four years that they were able to return Sarah to her mother safely.
Ocala, Florida — The Ocala Police Department says they have arrested four individuals that were involved in the string of smash-and-grab car burglaries that took place on May 14, 2014.
The suspects were arrested following a short police chase in the evening hours of May 16, 2014.
Marcus Emmanuel Thomas, 28, Tavaras McBride, 33, Holly Lorraine Eckert, 46, and Alyssa Trierweiler, 19, are now booked into the Marion County Jail — they are facing a long list of felony charges.
The two men are from Fort Lauderdale — Trierweiler is from Tampa and McBride is from Orlando.
The pack of four thieves have been traveling from county-to-county, burglarizing vehicles along the way. They are now suspects in multiple car burglaries throughout the State of Florida. Authorities say the group always broke into cars that were in public places.
Alachua County investigators say they believe this group is also connected to similar auto burglaries that occurred at a Newberry ball field.
Along with stealing electronics and cash — they were also cashing stolen checks, using ATM/debit cards as well as stolen credit cards.
They have left a long trail of crime, and other cases are now being investigated, detectives said.
According to the Ocala Police Department, 16 vehicles were burglarized on May 14, 2014, and it all happened within two (2) hours, between 5:45 p.m. and 7:34 p.m.
The burglaries happened at Jervey Gantt Park, the YMCA and Ward-Highlands Elementary School.
Park goers can now rest a little easier knowing that these criminals are behind bars.
All four suspects are being held without bond at this time.
The total amount of damages caused by the group has not yet been determined.
Ocala, Florida — The tragic May 3, 2014 death of Chelsea Richard, Mr. John Duggan (tow truck driver) and Mr. Robert Phillips has gained national attention, thrusting the “Move Over” law to center stage.
Troopers said it is simple, when you see flashing lights, move over, and if you can’t move over you are required by law to reduce your speed by 20 mph below the posted speed limit. The law pertains to all emergency vehicles and road side workers.
As National Police Week continues, law enforcement officers across the nation remember and honor our fallen heroes – those officers who in the service of their communities have given the ultimate sacrifice are remembered.
As Florida mourns the loss of Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Chelsea Richard, who lost her life along with two others in a deadly traffic crash on Interstate 75 in Ocala, Florida, the Florida State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Police Chiefs Association, the Florida Police Benevolent Association and the Florida Sheriff’s Association are designating June 2014 as “Move Over – Slow Down – Save a Life” month.
The law isn’t only designed to protect law enforcement, road side crews and emergency personnel, it was designed to protect all drivers, said troopers
A nationwide campaign in now underway and agencies across the U.S. are joining together to create one simple, but very powerful message, “Move Over.”
Send Ocala Post your #MoveOver picture and you could be featured.
Florida — A Palm Bay, Florida judge ordered the charges against a teenage girl to be dropped after he reviewed the arresting officer’s body cam footage. The officer, David Marcinik, lied in his police report and stated that the girl was belligerent, threatening, and resisting arrest with violence.
The body cam footage showed that the officer was actually the aggressor in the situation. In the video, the officer tells the passenger that he will put a bullet in him. Shortly after, he tells Melissa Bell, 18, to step out of the car. The officer then threatens to inflict harm upon her.
The judge said he was disgusted by what he saw in the video. He also said that this is only one out of hundreds of cases in Florida. “I will not tolerate this nonsense in my courtroom,” he said.
In this video alone, the officer broke several laws as well as constitutional laws. He searched their persons before they were even arrested. The judge said a “pat down” for officer safety is not legal justification for illegally searching someone prior to actually placing them under arrest.
“The judge sent a clear message to Florida law enforcement officers,” said Bell’s attorney. “The judge clearly said in his order that the police do not have carte blanche to abuse the citizens that they come into contact with.”
He went on to say that most officers lack education in the area of law. Reading a statute out of a department-issued book doesn’t cut it, he said.
Officers today think they can arrest anyone under the erroneous charge of “resisting arrest” or “interfering with an investigation,” he said.
“Officers most commonly arrest individuals for ‘resisting arrest’ when the officer is being video recorded, which is not only legal by state law, but protected by the United States Constitution,” the attorney said. “An individual cannot and should not be detained or harassed for recording an officer.”
This officer should have been fired, he said, and the judge agreed. However, the Palm Bay Chief of Police disagreed. The officer was not punished in any way. However, the officer did “retire” after a federal lawsuit was filed against the Palm Bay Police Department.
Recently, in Orange County, Florida, Jeff Davies was intimidated by deputies after they “ganged up” on him following a traffic stop for not wearing a seat belt.
Davies had just had a kidney stone removed and was told by his doctor that he should not wear his seat belt. Davies began to feel sick from the procedure while he was driving and had already planned on pulling over when a deputy initiated a traffic stop.
Davies said he thought he was going to “throw up” so he exited his jeep and walked around to the other side. The officer immediately began yelling at Davies and would not listen to his explanation. The deputy said he didn’t care what his problem was and ordered him back into his jeep. Davies then pulled out his cell phone and began recording.
As soon as he pulled out his cell phone, other deputies joined in. One deputy said, “So I see he has decided to record us.”
Davies said that the very sight of the phone infuriated the deputies.
Davies was arrested and charged with “resisting arrest.” During the arrest, he was slammed into the hood of his jeep by one of the deputies.
Davies was offered a plea bargain, but his attorney said no way.
Central Florida attorney Howard Marks said the charge of “resisting arrest” is a terrible abuse of the justice system and a waste of taxpayers’ dollars. “When police don’t have anything, it’s always resisting arrest without violence,” he said.
Assistant State Attorney Will Jay said, “Resisting arrest is a very difficult charge to prove.”
Davies took his case all the way to a jury trial and essentially won the case.
During the trial one of the deputies told the judge that he felt threatened by Davies. The deputy said, “Davies had a weapon.” The judge asked, “What weapon? Because it was not mentioned in the police report.” The deputy responded, “He had a cell phone; that is a weapon.” The attorney said the deputy was just mad because he was being recorded with a cell phone.
According to reports, 60 percent of all “resisting arrest” cases end in favor of the defendant. Most officers have not provided enough evidence to present their case, and often times the cases are thrown out before they even reach the courtroom.
Davies is filing a federal lawsuit against the Orange County Sheriff’s Office this week.
Davies said, “I came to Florida from England to live my dream….and until now, I have never been treated with such disrespect. I think police officers are being trained to be grown bullies, and they are abusing their arrest powers because they think they can get away with it. “
Recording a law enforcement officer with a cell phone is quickly becoming a common practice. YouTube is filled with thousands of videos that show officers being recorded. Practically every cell phone any person owns has a built-in camera, and they have become part of our everyday lives.
Davies’ attorney said, “If a police officer is following the code of ethics and has nothing to hide, then he or she should not be bothered by a video recorder.”
![Aaron Cox [Father]](https://www.ocalapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/aaron-cox.jpg)
