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.”
Ocala, Florida — According to the Ocala Police Department, 16 vehicles were burglarized on May 14, 2014, all within two (2) hours — between 5:45 p.m. and 7:34 p.m.
Over the past several months, Marion County has experienced an increase in car burglaries. Oftentimes, officials place the blame on victims for leaving a window open or car door unlocked, since it creates a crime of opportunity. However, that was not the case yesterday. OPD said if the doors were locked, the thieves smashed the windows and stole purses, wallets, cash, and electronic devices.
The burglaries happened at Jervey Gantt Park, the YMCA, and Ward-Highlands Elementary School.
The damages are estimated in the thousands of dollars.
One victim, who did not want to be identified said, “This is a high price to pay for locking my door. It would have been easier to leave them unlocked.”
Another said, “What kind of world do we live in when a person cannot even go to the park without worrying about things like this?”
Park goers should be alert at all times. Statistics show that criminals are dumb enough to return to a crime scene to strike again.
Anyone with information about the break-ins can call OPD at 369-7000 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.
Christina Cochran [Mugshot]Belleview, Florida — On May 14, 2014, Christina Cochran, 30, of Summerfield, was arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail for making a bomb threat.
This incident started when Belleview Middle School officials called Cochran to talk about her child. A Marion County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer could hear the call, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
School officials told Cochran her child needed help and needed to be taken to the ‘Centers,’ because the child had allegedly made threats. The school said that’s when Cochran started using profanity and made the threat to “blow up the school.”
The Principal of the school said that Cochran said,”You can suspend my kid because I am not taking him back to the ‘Centers’, I am about to blow this fu**ing school up..I am tired of this s**t.”
Law enforcement made contact with Cochran at her home, where the deputy says she admitted to making the statement.
She was arrested and charged with Threat to Throw, Project, Place, or Discharge a Destructive Device.
Cochran was released on $5,000 bond.
[Updated May 15, 2014 at 4:35 p.m.]
In a hour interview with Cochran, as tears rolled down her cheeks, she told Ocala Post about what she feels is abuse of power from within the school system as well as a lack of teaching.
Cochran said that she has been to multiple meetings with staff from Belleview Middle in regards to her son and has been fighting with them for at least two years because they are not meeting her sons requirements.
She said her son, Anthony Cochran, 14, whom is in 7th grade is “Development Delayed.” She said when he was in the 5th grade he tested on a kindergarten reading level.
Since the time Anthony was enrolled into Belleview Middle it has been a nightmare she said.
On May 14, 2014, Cochran said she received a call from Mr. Williams, the Dean of the school. During the phone call she said that Williams told her that her son “needed help” and he advised that she needed to take him to the ‘Centers’ to be re-evaluated. Anthony had already been evaluated by the ‘Centers’ on a previous date.
Cochran told Ocala Post that she said, “I’m sick of this f***ing s**t, I’ve gotten to the point that I am going to blow up on the school.” Adding, “I never said I was going to ‘blow up’ the school.”
“The school and deputies are getting my words twisted and trying to put words in my mouth,“ she said.
Cochran said that she is not surprised, “This is what the school does.”
She said her son had an accident, and as a result of the accident he was required to wear a colostomy bag for four (4) months. She said surgeons were finally able to reverse it and remove the bag, but not without side effects. She said that her son has to make frequent trips to the bathroom and constantly “has gas.” Cochran said that the school has all the documentation on her sons condition, yet she constantly receives phone calls from teachers “tattling” on her son for using the bathroom three to four times during a single class. “It’s ridiculous, the school staff act like they are in kindergarten,” she said.
“At the beginning of the school year my son was suspended for farting in class, that is how ridiculous the school system has become. And then Florida wants to know why the dropout rate is so high.” said Cochran. “Another time the school called me in and said that my son had accidentally thrown his lunch tray in the trash and they tried to make him dig it out after it had other food dumped on it. My son said he didn’t want to stick his hands in the nasty trash, so they called me to remove him from school for the remainder of the day.”
As Cochran held back tears, she said, “I love my kids more than anything in the world. I am a stay at home mom and my husband works full time..so I do what stay at home moms are supposed to do. I take care of the kids, the house and tend to my children’s education. Education is very important to me and I want my kids to receive a good education. I am not one of those parents that just sits home and does nothing. I have made phone call, after phone call, and been to meeting, after meeting with no results. I don’t know what else to do, where to go or who to turn too.”
“I have asked the school so many times to help me and all they can say is my son has “issues” and that I should send him to the ‘Centers’,” said Cochran.
She said, “I requested that my son be placed in special classes and they told me he is not “Retarded” enough to qualify for placement in those classes. I then asked if he could be placed in what Belleview Middle calls “self contained” classes. The school then came back to me and told me that my sons GPA was too high.” She added, “My sons education is being penalized from both directions. In one hand they are basically saying he is not “Retarded” enough and in the other that he is not “stupid” enough to receive a proper education that the school is required by law to offer for children with learning disabilities. Every answer from the school is I can’t, or take him to the ‘Centers’.”
Cochran said that she feels like the school is not equipped nor are the teachers properly trained to teach kids with learning disabilities. She said she is not asking for special treatment, just to be treated fairly. She said as a mother she will protect her son from being singled out and being made to feel like he is an outcast.
“Any decent mother would do the same for their own child, no one wants their child singled out, picked on or made to feel like they are inadequate,“ said Cochran.
She said in her heart she feels like the school is intentionally trying to force her son out of the school because he has a learning disability and they don’t want to deal with it.
School officials told Cochran that her son cannot return to the school until he is re-evaluated by the ‘Centers’.
Cochran said she is looking into her options for legal action.
Summerfield, Florida — Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 3781 SE 141 Lane in reference to a suicide.
When Deputy Mitchell Tucker arrived on the scene he was greeted by Jackie Slonaker whom shouted out, “They are dead, they are all dead.”
According to reports, Slonaker seemed distraught and was motioning Deputy Mitchell to the back door of the residence.
Deputy Mitchell entered the residence through the back door and discovered Timothy Thomasson, 53, and Michele Thomasson, 50, lying in their bed, each with a gunshot wound to the head. Next to the Thomasson’s were two black semi-automatic handguns.
Deputy Mitchell secured the scene and notified major crimes.
At the scene, investigators found a five page suicide letter written to family. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the letter contained apologies as well as instructions on how to handle their financial affairs and the family pets.
Authorities say the couple had been having financial trouble due to Mrs. Thomasson recently losing her job, and Mr. Thomasson was on disability due to multiple back surgeries.
Detectives said that while this does appear to be a suicide, the investigation is ongoing.
Bakersfield, California — A family cat is being recognized as a hero after it saved a child from being mauled to death by a vicious dog.
The mom was in the front yard watering plants while her son was riding his bike when the neighbor’s dog was let out of its enclosure, what happened next will blow your mind.
After the dog gets out, it spots the boy, then runs around the truck and attacks. As seen in the video, the attack was unprovoked. The boy never saw the attack coming.
The dog clamped down on the boys leg and began to drag and shake him. That is when the boys cat came to the rescue.
Off camera the mom fought off the dog after it came back, while she was simultaneously trying to get the neighbors attention. Mom suffered bites as well.
Officers said had it been their own son, it would have been a call for shots fired. They said this situation could have turned out much worse had it not been for the cat.
Ocala, Florida — Former Ocala Police Officer Robert Cashner, 40, was fired from his job following an Internal Affairs investigation.
Cashner is accused of stealing 17 Oxycodone pills from a woman’s apartment while following up on a grand theft case on March 12, 2014.
The woman stated that when Cashner arrived at her apartment, he asked her if she had Oxycodone stolen, to which she replied, “Yes.” She said the officer then told her he would have to go to his car to “log” the pills. The woman stated that he then left her apartment with the pill bottle and returned a short time later to give her back the bottle.
The woman stated that she didn’t notice the pills were gone until after Cashner left. She then contacted OPD to report the missing pills. She said she should have had 27½ pills left in the bottle but only had 10½, therefore 17 were missing.
During questioning, it was determined that the woman has short term memory and she could not keep her facts straight about how many pills she had actually taken and how many were left in the bottle. According to a family member, [she] has been having problems keeping her bank account straight and fights with the bank on balance amounts. The family member also stated that the woman has been over medicating herself. The family member told investigators that she had serious doubts that Cashner stole the pills. Moreover, the original police report for the grand theft case filed by the woman with a different officer, made no mention of Oxycodone being stolen.
When Cashner was questioned about the allegations, he denied stealing the pills and said he never left the apartment with the pill bottle. Cashner told investigators the he counted the pills in front of the woman then handed the bottle back to her with the 10½ pills still in the bottle.
A witness told investigators that he saw Cashner standing at his patrol vehicle writing something on the day in question. The witness stated the he could not tell whether or not Cashner was holding a pill bottle.
On the day that the pills were reported stolen, a search of Cashner’s person and his assigned patrol vehicle were performed with negative results.
However, during the investigation Cashner told Internal Affairs investigators that on March 10, 2014, his day off, he consumed four (4) or six (6) Percocet (Oxycodone), on March 11, 2014 he consumed some and on March 12, 2014, the morning he returned to work, he consumed one (1). Cashner stated that he took eight (8) to ten (10) Percocet during the two and a half days. He stated that he has never told anyone he has been on Percocet while working.
Cashner denied the Percocet that he had taken were the stolen pills in question. Cashner stated that he has a prescription for the Percocet he had taken, but since the bottle was empty, he threw it in the trash on the morning of March 12, 2014.
The conclusion of the investigation determined that Cashner violated the Ocala Police Department’s Substance Abuse, Drug Free Workplace and Serious Misconduct Policies.
Cashner was a police officer with OPD for 5½ years.
Polk County, Florida — Today, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide deputies conducted a Fatal Crash investigation in the area of Bluff Road on Highway 37 in Mulberry.
At approximately 5:38 p.m., on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, the PCSO received a call in reference to a crash involving multiple vehicles.
Deputies on the scene confirmed there was one fatality. North and southbound lanes of Highway 37, south of Mulberry were closed during the investigation.
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Click photo to enlarge
The name of the victim has not yet been released pending notification of family.
Investigators say it does appear that speed may have been a factor, however further details are not being released at this time.
[Updated at 10:04 a.m. on May 15, 2014]
At approximately 5:35 pm, on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, 50-year-old Nancy G. Smith, of Mulberry, operating a 2002, white Chevrolet Camaro, was stopped in the southbound lane of State Road 37 South (SR 37 S), in Mulberry, Smith was waiting to turn left (east) into the business at 2295 SR 37 S.
Also traveling south on SR 37 was 23-year-old Courtney M. Captino, of Dover, operating a 2010, black Dodge pick-up. Captino stated that she did not see Smith stopped and struck the rear of the Camaro.
Upon impact, the Camaro was directed southeast into the northbound lane of SR 37 and into the path of a red, 2000, 2-door Chevrolet, operated by 55-year-old Peter J. Sheardy, of Bradenton.
The front of the Camaro slammed into the driver side of Sheardy’s Chevrolet, which was northbound on SR 37.
After the impact, Captino’s pick-up truck travelled south approximately 75 yards coming to final rest in the southbound lane of SR 37.
After striking the Chevrolet, Smith’s Camaro rotated 90 degrees counter clockwise and came to rest in the northbound lane, facing west.
Smith died at the scene. Captino and Sheardy were both transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries and were listed in good condition.
Captino was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Both Smith and Sheardy were belted at the time of the crash. SR 37 was closed in both directions for approximately 3.5 hours.
The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.
Ocala, Florida — The inscription on the memorial plaque in front of Evergreen Cemetery in Ocala, Florida, reads as follows:
“Reserved on July 8, 1850, as the first public burial ground for Ocala. Here are graves of those who founded the County seat, of others here during its early years, and of Confederate and Union veterans of the Civil War. Nearby are interred Negro residents, both slave and free. They too in loyal service shared in the up-building of the city.”
Ocala’s first public burial ground is a large piece of history in Ocala and holds memories from a time when citizens fought for freedom.
Now, the historical cemetery lies in ruins. The deplorable conditions of the cemetery have been described as sickening and disheartening by many Marion County residents. Overgrown shrubbery, grass, and trees cover what are mostly vandalized, unmaintained, and decaying gravesites. The cemetery shows significant signs of vandalism. Headstones are broken, many completely removed, and the fencing appears to have been purposely destroyed. Veterans, civilian citizens, babies, and young children now rest in graves that have become nothing more than a pile of rubble.
Unlike a common burial ground, a cemetery is meant to hold a certain sacredness — a resting place that holds the identity of the deceased and should protect, as well as celebrate the individual identities of those laid to rest.
Residents say there is absolutely no reason this cemetery should have been left unmaintained. The fact that this has happened shows laziness, as well as a complete lack of responsibility and respect on the City of Ocala’s part.
According to the Historic Ocala Preservation Society, 10 years ago they arranged for volunteers to clean up and restore the cemetery, even though it was and still is the responsibility of the City. The cemetery has not had any upkeep since that time.
Property records show the property name as Cemetery Evergreen and owned by the City of Ocala. Tax bills are sent in care of, Real Estate Officer, 201 NE Third Street, Second floor, Ocala, 34471.
Ocala Post contacted the City of Ocala, as well as Mayor Guinn, to find out why the cemetery — and part of Ocala’s history — has been left to ruin.
As of today, Ocala Post’s questions have not been answered.
Whether you have an ancestor who is buried in Evergreen Cemetery and want answers, or just want to see it cleaned up, you can use the following contact information to express your concerns to City of Ocala officials.
Mary Rich at mrich@ocalafl.org, John McLeod at jmcleod@ocalafl.org, or Mayor Guinn at kguinn@ocalafl.org.
As taxpaying citizens of Marion County, you are entitled to answers.
Evergreen Cemetery is located on NW 8th Street in Ocala.
Ocala Post wants to hear from you. If you have a story surrounding the Evergreen Cemetery, or just want to express your thoughts, please share it.
![Aaron Cox [Father]](https://www.ocalapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/aaron-cox.jpg)
