Tallahassee, Florida – The Agency for Health Care Administration continues to roll out the Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) program, the second installment of Florida’s new system of Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC).
This week, the Agency will begin mailing welcome packets to recipients in Medicaid Regions 10 and 11, which include Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. These packets outline the enrollment timeline and describe the MMA plans available in these regions. Individuals living in Regions 10 and 11 will have until June 19 to make their MMA plan selection.
Eligible recipients in Regions 5, 6 and 8*, which incorporate most of Florida’s Southwest coast, will also be receiving letters reminding them of their enrollment deadline. Recipients in these regions will have until May 22, 2014 to make their plan choice in advance of their go-live date on June 1, 2014.
Recipients are encouraged to make their plan selection online at www.FLMedicaidManagedCare.com, over the phone by calling 1-877-711-3662, or in person with a representative of the Agency’s choice counseling vendor, Automated Health Systems (AHS). AHS also offers remote or in-person choice counseling sessions, where they provide unbiased assistance in helping recipients understand their options and the benefit packages offered by each plan. Choice counseling is free for recipients.
In preparation for the rollout of the MMA program, the Agency has put several program requirements in place that will facilitate seamless continuity of care during the transition period. Of particular importance is the need to ensure that all recipients continue to receive their medication(s) in a timely manner.
“It is extremely important that recipients continue to receive their medications without any interruption of service during the rollout process,” said Agency Secretary Liz Dudek. “We are currently focused on informing both recipients and providers of the upcoming changes to make sure prescriptions are being honored during the transition period.”
To support this effort, the Agency has been providing the following guidance to recipients and community stakeholders:
During the 30 days before the MMA program starts in your area, ask your pharmacy for a list of all of the prescriptions you have had filled in the last four months.
If you need to change pharmacies, take your prescription bottles and the list of your prescriptions from the last four months to your new pharmacy.
Even if your plan changes, you can continue to receive your currently prescribed medications for up to 60 days after you are enrolled in your new MMA plan. This gives you time to see your doctor if you need to update your prescriptions or to have your new plan approve your medications if required.
For more information about Statewide Medicaid Managed Care and the Managed Medical Assistance program, please visit http://ahca.myflorida.com/SMMC.
*Regions 5, 6 and 8 include Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota counties.
Polk County, Florida — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating 30-year-old Travis “Pinky” Barrientos, who has a warrant for his arrest for Attempted Second Degree Murder. His last known address is 112 Prospect Ave in Winter Haven.
During the early morning hours of Saturday, April 19, 2014, Barrientos got into an altercation with 32-year-old Juan Bautista, on Rifle Range Road in Wahneta. During the altercation, Barrientos stabbed Bautista repeatedly, and screamed he was going to kill Bautista. Bautista was taken to LRMC, where he was treated and released.
Barrientos has been positively identified as the suspect in this case. PCSO deputies have obtained a warrant for his arrest for Attempted Second Degree Murder.
Barrientos, AKA “Pinky,” is described as a Hispanic male, 6′ tall, 205-215 lbs.
He has several tattoos:
“Barrientos” on his back
“Lucky 7,” “Cholo,” “Latin” on his left arm
“You,” a cross, and a crown on his left hand
“WSF,” “Cholo” on his left shoulder
“Pride,” “Joker,” “FTW” on his right arm
“I love Teresa, Anjie, J.D., Efren” on his right leg
The word “F**k” on his right hand and a globe, a jester and “FTW” on his right shoulder.
Barrientos has been in the Polk County Jail on three prior occasions, for Shooting Into an Occupied Dwelling, Domestic Violence, Fleeing to Elude, Possession of Meth, Grand Theft Auto, DWLSR, VOP, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Attempted First Degree Murder, for which he was sentenced to 10 years in prison and was just released in November 2013.
Barrientos may have ties to other areas in Central Florida.
He is considered armed and extremely dangerous. If you see him do not attempt to approach him, call 911 immediately.
If you have any information on the wherabouts of Travis “Pinky” Barrientos, you are urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 863-298-6200, or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Anonymity is Guaranteed! You may also be eligible for a cash reward.
Many dangerous suspects have been apprehended due to Facebook and other social media outlets. Remember to like and share.
Ocala, Florida — Jessica Price, 37, and Eric Westman, 37, both of Ocala, were arrested around 3:30 p.m., Saturday, April 19, 2014, at their residence along NE 37th Street.
The incident unfolded when Price, Deputy Mark Swarbrick and a Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigator were conducting a walk-through at the listed address.
The deputy could smell a strong odor of un-smoked marijuana coming from inside the residence, according to reports.
Deputy Swarbrick asked Price if he could search the back bedroom where the odor appeared to be coming from, to which Price replied, “Wait until my boyfriend gets home.”
Price was told no one would be allowed in the room until it could be cleared, but Price ignored several warnings and was arrested, according to reports.
After Westman arrived a short time later, he signed a permission form allowing Deputy Swarbrick to search the area from which the marijuana smell was coming.
During the search, the deputy found six glass methamphetamine pipes, a vast number of prescription pills, more than $800, scales, marijuana pipes, and plastic baggies.
Also found were 58 grams of methamphetamine, 23 grams of cocaine, 1,677 grams of marijuana and several guns, including a loaded semi-automatic assault rifle.
Westman was charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana (1,677 grams), Possession of Heroin, Possession of Alprazolam (Xanax), Possession of Diazepam, Use/Display of a Firearm During a Felony, Trafficking Methadone, Trafficking Oxycodone, Trafficking Hydrocodone, Trafficking Morphine, Possession of Dilaudid, Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Westman has previously been arrested for Cocaine Possession.
Price was charged with Resisting Arrest. Price was not charged for any of the drugs or weapons due to Westman taking responsibility for everything. She was released after posting a $500 bond.
Westman was released after posting a $80,500 bond.
It is unclear if children were home at the time of the discovery.
Tallahassee, Florida – The Florida Department of Health on Saturday issued an advisory to residents in counties surrounding the Withlacoochee and the downstream Suwannee River.
The City of Valdosta has reported a spill, made up of a combination of storm water and untreated sewage, that has overflowed into the One-Mile Branch, Two-Mile Branch, Sugar Creek and Cherry Creek which flow into the Withlacoochee River. Lab test results received April 18, 2014, indicate higher than normal levels of fecal bacteria in the river waters.
Until further information is known regarding possible contamination of the rivers, residents are urged to take precautions when in contact with the Withlacoochee River and a portion of the Suwannee River. This includes those individuals in the counties of Hamilton, Madison, and Suwannee. The advisory extends to all of the Withlacoochee River and the portion of the Suwannee River from the point where the two rivers join, south 12 miles to State Road 250 at Dowling Park.
Water contaminated by waste-water overflow presents several health hazards to humans and may contain untreated human sewage with microbes that could cause gastro-intestinal and other diseases.
Anyone who comes in contact with the river water should wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking. Children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems, are particularly vulnerable to disease, so every precaution should be taken if in contact with the river water.
Anyone planning a fishing trip in the listed areas she use extreme caution.
The U.S. National Weather Service has issued a storm warning as well as a flood watch for North Central Florida beginning Friday April 18, 2014 to April 19, 2014.
Drivers are urged to use caution as they travel on Friday and possibly into Saturday.
Between two to five inches of rain are in the forecast for Friday and may continue into Saturday morning, gusty winds along with hail are also possible.
River flood warnings have been issued for 11 of Florida’s rivers as the NWS says there is a 100 percent chance of heavy rain.
The NWS said that the weather should be clear just in time for Easter,with a high of 75 and a low in the mid 50’s.
You should monitor later forecasts with your local weather channel or check Ocala Post’s home page weather widget to stay informed and alert for possible flood warnings or sudden changes in the weather.
Travis Lenard Weaver [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — On April 17, 2014 at approximately 2:20 a.m, Corporal Moore with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was traveling south in the 1600 block of Pine Avenue when he observed a white Hyundai traveling northbound without its headlights on.
Corporal Moore then turned his patrol vehicle around and conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle.
According to reports, as Corporal Moore approached the vehicle on foot, the driver, later identified as Travis L. Weaver, 31, of Wildwood “stomped” on the gas and fled at a high rate of speed. Corporal Moore ran back to his patrol vehicle and initiated pursuit.
Weaver headed north on Pine and reached speeds in excess of 130 MPH. The vehicle was driving recklessly and ran every red light as [he] attempted to elude Corporal Moore.
As Weaver approached NW 35th Street he attempted to turn westbound, but lost control of the vehicle. Weaver hit several signs that were in the median and spun into the westbound ditch facing north.
Weaver then accelerated out of the ditch and turned west on NW 35th Street, then north on NW Gainesville Road, at which time Corporal Moore attempted the PIT maneuver.
Once the vehicle was stopped, Weaver refused to exit the vehicle and had locked the doors. Corporal Moore had to break the window and unlock the doors in order to remove Weaver from the vehicle, according to reports.
Weaver was heavily intoxicated and admitted to drinking several drinks at “Cloud 9” prior to leaving the club.
Weaver’s drivers license were Habitual-Felony Revoked in September of 2003 and he has had four prior convictions for Driving While License Suspended/Revoked.
During the investigation, Corporal Moore Learned that Weaver also had three active warrants for for his arrest for the Sale/Possession of Cocaine in Sumter County.
Weaver was arrested and transported to the Marion County jail, at which time he refused a breathalyzer test.
Ocala, Florida — On April 16, 2014 Deputy M. Bowers, K9 Deputy J. Nix of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Interdiction Unit, and Deputy T. Lideratore of the Tactical Investigation Unit, observed a grey Lincoln Town car exit the south side parking lot of the Advanced Discount Auto Parts store located at 1601 West Silver Springs Boulevard, without stopping or slowing down.
The vehicle was turning right (west) onto West Silver Springs Boulevard and crossed over the first lane to the inside westbound lane without using a turn signal.
The vehicle then traveled westbound to the intersection of West Silver Springs Boulevard and NW 27th Avenue. While at the intersection, Deputy Bowers activated his emergency lights on his marked Patrol Car in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop.
According to reports, the vehicle then turned right (east) on NW 2nd Street. The vehicle accelerated and began to flee at a high rate of speed.
Deputy Bowers then activated his sirens and gave pursuit, followed by Deputy Liberatore and Deputy Nix.
During the pursuit the vehicle nearly hit a pedestrian that was walking in the roadway, the pedestrian “jumped back” to avoid from being hit, according to reports.
According to reports, the chase reached speeds in excess of 100 MPH at some points during the chase.
The driver of the vehicle ran red lights and did not stop at multiple stop signs.
K9 Deputy Watts was able to pick up the chase in the 4000 block of NW 27th Avenue where Watts performed a PIT maneuver and ended the chase.
Elliot Graham, 34, of Leesburg jumped from the vehicle and took off running. However, K9 Thor quickly put an end to the foot chase.
Graham had an active warrant for his arrest for trafficking in narcotics.
Jason Champt, 27, of Fruitland Park (driver), and Graham were both arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail.
Graham is facing charges of Resisting an Officer Without Violence and Champt faces charges of Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer.
A search of the vehicle turned up $38,000 in cash.
The investigation in regards to this case and the money is ongoing.
[Last updated on April, 17 2014 at 7:15 p.m.- excess replaced the word access]
Florida — Following the Easter and Passover break, the Senate and House will be back in Tallahassee Monday for the final two weeks of Florida’s Legislative Session. I’m writing you today to share my perspective – and ask for yours – about an issue that’s on the minds of many folks who are emailing and calling me.
The question is whether the Florida Legislature should require that our colleges and universities provide taxpayer-funded tuition subsidies to ‘undocumented’ or ‘illegal’ students.
The legislation that deals with this issue is Senate Bill 1400. If you’d like to review the specific provisions of the bill, go to http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2014/1400
In one form or another, a bill like this has passed the Florida House of Representatives in previous years, but has never passed the Senate. This year, the legislation has passed favorably out of three Senate committees. The sponsor, Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater), has stated that a majority of members of the Senate, including Republicans and Democrats, are co-sponsoring the bill with him. The Speaker of the House, Will Weatherford, has made passing this bill a personal goal and priority.
Because of the high esteem in which I hold Speaker Weatherford, I have listened carefully to his arguments in favor of the bill. I am convinced he comes to his position sincerely, prayerfully and with great compassion. I respect him and I respect his advocacy for a cause he believes is right.
I am told it is “good politics” to support Senator Latvala’s bill, that it will help Republican candidates appeal to Hispanic voters in the 2014 and 2016 elections. Perhaps. It is certainly true that the Republican Party has lost much of the Hispanic support President Bush earned in 2000 and 2004 and that Governor Jeb Bush still has in our state and across the nation. As a Republican, I believe we have not just a political, but a moral obligation to apply our principles to the concerns and aspirations of Hispanics.
However, SB 1400 is not limited to Hispanics. It casts a blanket of approval over non-citizens who are in this country without proper legal status from anywhere in the world, including countries which are caldrons of terrorism and anti-American violence. There is no improper or careless intent behind the legislation, but this bill goes much further than merely reaching out to Hispanic voters.
Though I am likely in the minority in the Legislature on this matter, I cannot support taxpayer subsidies in the form of tuition discounts for undocumented or illegal students. I will vote against SB 1400.
Just days ago Governor Scott signed the Florida GI Bill, a joint priority of Speaker Weatherford and mine. Under one of the provisions of this historic law – designed to make Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation – our veterans of all armed services will receive in-state tuition discounts so they can earn degrees and build families, businesses, and successful lives here in Florida. This is truly an earned entitlement for sacrifice and service to our country.
I cannot equate the sacrifice of those who have volunteered to shed blood for this country with the claims, however compelling, of those who are here illegally. I cannot vote to treat these two groups the same.
It is also important to note that our universities today accept undocumented students. It is true they are required to pay out-of-state tuition, but Florida’s out-of-state tuition prices are the same as some states’ in-state prices. It is also true that even out-of-state tuition does not pay the full cost of a higher education – taxpayers subsidize out-of-state tuition, too. Finally, it is true the universities already have the flexibility to waive out of state tuition on a case-by-case basis. Last year, our higher education institutions provided $300 million in tuition waivers, including waivers to non-citizens.
The question posed by SB 1400 is not whether undocumented students will have access to a Florida public college or university education that is supported by Florida taxpayers – they already do. The question is the extent to which parents, struggling to save for their own children’s education, and taxpayers, slowly recovering from a deep recession, should be mandated to pay for substantially increased tuition subsidies for non-citizens, who have not attained legal status in our country. Inevitably, when colleges and universities incur an expense by discounting tuition for some, the cost is shifted to others – including Florida families with children in college and Florida taxpayers who are asked each year to send more public funds to higher education.
Our federal immigration laws are a mess. Democrats and Republicans alike have failed to face the issue honestly and effectively. And, real solutions are unlikely to be popular.
SB 1400 – however popular it may be with some – is not a solution and I cannot support it.
As always, I am grateful for your advice. Your guidance and insights – whether you agree or disagree with me – make me a better senator for Northwest Florida.
May you and those you love share a blessed Passover and Easter week.
Ocala, Florida—The Florida Department of Health in Marion County has issued a rabies alert for the downtown Ocala area of Marion County. This is in response to a cat that tested positive for rabies on April 16, 2014.
All Marion County residents and visitors should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Marion County. Alerts are designed to increase public awareness, but they should not give residents a false sense of security if their area has not been named in the alert.
This rabies alert is for 60 days. The center of the rabies alert is about three blocks southwest of the Ocala Downtown Square and includes the following area boundaries in Marion County:
Northeast 11th Street to the north
Southeast 19th Street to the south
·Southeast 14th Avenue to the east
·Southwest 19th Avenue to the west
An animal with rabies could infect other wild animals or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. Residents should keep pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Marion County Animal Services at 352-671-8727.
Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets.
Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at 352-629-0137
Share this information with anyone you know that has a pet in the Marion County area.
Hassell [Left] Terry [Right]Ocala, Florida — On April 12, 2014, Deputies Thomas and Lowrey responded to the Vacation Host Inn on South Pine Avenue in reference to an unresponsive newborn.
A female, later identified as Chrystal Hassell, 37, had apparently given birth the baby while alone in her motel room and the baby was breathing intermittently.
According to reports, Marion County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene prior to the deputies arriving and transported Hassell and the baby to Munroe Regional Medical Center.
When deputy Thomas arrived at MRMC there was a team of medical personnel attending to the newborn baby boy.
The baby was placed on a ventilator, then airlifted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. Deputy Lowrey stayed at the motel just in case it was determined to be a crime scene.
Deputy Thomas made contact with Hassell and obtained written consent allowing a search of her motel room.
Hassell stated that [she] has been addicted to crack cocaine most of her life and that she also has two other children; a 16-year-old and an 11-month-old baby boy. Hassell said both of her children were born addicted to crack cocaine.
According to reports, Hassell stated that she visited MRMC on March 7, 2014, at which time a pregnancy test was performed and confirmed she was pregnant. She said she told the hospital that she had been smoking crack cocaine during the entire pregnancy and that she didn’t have any prenatal care. She said she stopped smoking for about three weeks after finding out she was pregnant, but couldn’t stand the cravings.
Hassell stated that on April 10, 2014, she began smoking crack and continued for at least 24 hours straight when she began to bleed vaginally.
Hassell began to bleed extremely heavy about an hour after she stopped smoking crack, but did not want to seek medical attention because she was high on crack cocaine and she had an active warrant, according to reports.
Hassell said that once she realized she had smoked too much crack cocaine and needed medical attention, she felt she could possibly stop her labor by simply laying down and relaxing. She said it didn’t work and her labor got so intense that the baby just “fell out,” while she was in the bathtub.
Hassell said she then chewed the umbilical cord in half and tied it in a knot. She said she then cleaned out the baby’s mouth with water and placed him on the bed. She then returned to the bathroom, delivered the placenta and flushed it down the toilet.
When she returned to the baby, she said he was making a “grunting” sound and she thought it was cute until she realized the baby was actually gasping for air. She said he was turning purple so she gave him several breaths and he began to breathe on his own.
The back-and-forth with the breathing and the baby gasping for air continued for about 20 minutes after the initial breath was given, according to reports.
Father of the baby, Vincent Terry, 43, then called the motel room and Hassell asked, “Are you close? I don’t think I can keep this baby alive.”
Hassell said she didn’t call 911 because she was afraid that her baby would be taken away from her.
According to reports, an additional 30 minutes had passed when Terry called back and said he had been pulled over by a Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy and was being arrested for an outstanding attempted murder warrant from Colorado.
According to reports, Terry told Hassell to “do what she needed to do for the baby.”
Hassell said after hanging up, the baby was gasping for air for at least another 10 minutes before she hesitantly decided to call 911; nearly 1-hour after the baby was born.
Deputy Thomas asked her if she felt she could have made better decisions; to which Hassell replied, “Oh I know I could have, this is ridiculous, I don’t know what I was thinking. I don’t know what I was thinking getting pregnant, I didn’t even want a baby.”
Terry told deputies that he thought the baby was already dead.
Terry said that he knew that Hassell had a problem with drugs, but didn’t know she was smoking crack cocaine for 24 hours straight.
The other children have been placed in DCF custody and background checks are being performed on potential family members in order to determine if the children can be released into their custody.
Terry said he was not aware of the outstanding warrants for attempted murder, domestic violence, possession of a schedule II substance and violation of probation. He says after he returns to Ocala, he will get his kids back and stay with Hassell because she is a “good person.”
Hassell was arrested and charged with Child Neglect-Without Great Bodily Harm despite the baby remaining in critical condition.
Hassell is also on Suicide watch at the Marion County Jail.
Terry will be transported back to Colorado to face charges.
[Updated on April 22, 2014 at 5:58 p.m.]
The baby boy has now been taken off a ventilator and is in stable condition, according to DCF. Once the baby is well enough, he will be released into the custody of other family members.
South Korea — There is now a swarm of controversy surrounding the tragic death of passengers that were trapped aboard a ship that was carrying 462 passengers, mostly high school students.
Students reported that announcements over the ships intercom system kept telling them, “Do not to move, stay where you are.”
The students, however, say the ship was already sinking when the announcements were made.
The Ministry of Security and Public Administration said from what they can tell, the distress call was not even sent out until after the ship had already began to tilt on its side.
Photo by The Republic of Korea Coast Guard
She ship was reportedly on a 14-hour journey and was only three hours from its designation when it began to sink at around 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2014.
Of the 462 passengers, coast guard officials said 174 people were rescued, 55 injured and 284 are still unaccounted for.
Officials say the ship, which acts as a ferry is 480 feet long, can carry 921 people, 180 vehicles and 152 shipping containers.
Photo by The Republic of Korean Navy
Some 160 coast guard and navy divers searched for survivors inside the ship’s wreckage a few miles from Byeongpung Island, which is not far from the mainland and about 290 miles from Seoul. Cho Man-yong, a coast guard spokesman, said 16 divers approached the ferry Wednesday night but failed to get inside because the current was too strong. He said the water was very muddy and visibility was poor, but navy and coast guard divers planned to make another approach after midnight.
Students they made it out of the ship said they watched in horror as the ship continued to sink. “I could hear screams for help and people crying,” one student said.
Student Lim Hyung-min said, “After being rescued I could see other students jumping from the ship into the ocean.”
Passenger Kim Seong-mok said he was certain that many people were trapped inside the ferry as water quickly rushed in and the severe tilt of the vessel kept them from reaching the exits. Some people urged those who couldn’t get out to break windows.
Coast guards said the water was approximately 54 degrees, causing concern for passengers in the water developing hypothermia.
Kim said he was having breakfast when he felt the ship tilt, he said announcement told passengers to stay where they were and do not move. Not one time did he hear any announcements telling passengers to try and escape, he said.
The students that were aboard the ship are from Danwon High School in Ansan city.
Parents gathered at the high school desperate for news, parents said they felt like their heart had stopped when they heard about the ship sinking. Some parents were frantically reunited with their children, while others were trying to figure out if their children were still alive.
The coast guard said so far four bodies have been found, two of them are female crew members.
Marion County, Florida — On April 1, 2014, Marion County Commissioners approved a revision to the county animal ordinance relating to dog tethering. The ordinance, approved during a regularly-scheduled board meeting, bans unattended tethering of dogs, with an exception for performing a 30-minute temporary task, and with a further exemption that the ordinance does not apply to dogs on working farms.
Previously, the county’s ordinance allowed the unattended tethering of dogs, provided the tether met certain safety requirements and the dog had access to food, water and shelter. The new language requires an owner or caretaker to be outside with the dog if it’s tethered, except for a 30-minute time frame in which the owner can go inside to complete a temporary task. While outside with the dog, the owner must be able to maintain visual contact with the dog. The safety requirements for temporary tethering remain in place.
In August 2013, the Board of County Commissioners appointed a Blue Ribbon Task Force to study the topic of dog tethering. The task force (composed of appointees from each of the commissioners, as well as the Marion County Animal Services director and the Humane Society of Marion County executive director) presented its findings before the board on February 4, 2014.
Anyone who violates the 30-minute tethering ordinance will face a fine of $500.00.
Dog experts say that the tethering law is a must and it should significantly drop the amount of dogs that become violent from being left chained to a tree all day. Experts say countless dogs also die of heat stroke every year after being left chained for hours without access water.
Both Blair and Graham said enforcement would be easiest if tethering were outlawed completely.
“There will always be an excuse,” Graham said of the ordinance’s “temporary task” language.
Both Blair and Graham want the new tethering law enforced.
Marion county also has a leash law. The law requires all animals to be on a leash while being walked.
Marion Oaks, Florida — On April 15, 2014 at approximately 1 a.m. Deputies Azure and Newbanks responded to Horizon Academy in Marion Oaks in reference to a 911 hang-up.
Upon arrival, deputies blacked out their patrol vehicles and approached the property on foot.
As they were walking up to the school they observed three individuals on the roof of what appeared to be the main building, deputies Azure and Newbanks then radioed for backup, according to reports.
According to reports, the three individuals were smoking what appeared to be some sort of “Bong.” The individuals could be seen passing it back-and-forth and a glow from what appeared to be a lighter was visible.
As backup was arriving and a perimeter was being established, the three individuals climbed down from the roof using an access ladder.
All three juveniles were arrested once they reached the ground.
Upon inspecting the roof of the school, Deputy Newbanks found a blue homemade “bong,” a “water bong” and a Tupperware container with marijuana inside.
All three juveniles were charged with Trespassing on School Grounds, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana.
They were booked into the Marion County Juvenile Detention Facility.
[Warning: Contains mild language and violence, viewer discretion is advised.]
Nevada — The truth behind the seizure of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy’s cattle is now crystal clear to some local officials.
The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) claimed that the use of 200 or more armed agents was because they were trying to protect turtles. However released documents revealed that the seizure was actually over a deal that Senator Harry Reid had secretly made with the Chinese in regards to solar development on the land that is valued at an estimated $43 million dollars.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (R) criticized the BLM for its use of force and intimidation. He said the BLM stole 400 of Bundy’s cattle and herded them into corals.
Sandoval said, “The BLM then tried to coral protesters like cattle- it’s laughable.”
“This land belongs to the state, not the federal government, this situation reeks of corruption.”
When Utah residents announced they were going to travel to Nevada to stand by Bundy and help protect his ranch and cattle, Commissioner Tom Collins had a mouthful to say.
Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins then released this statement during a press conference,” All of you people from Utah are a bunch of inbred bastards. People coming from Utah to stand against the fed’s better have funeral plans. You should all turn your asses around and mind your own f***ing business.”
Collins’ statement sparked massive controversy throughout the state of Utah as well as across the country.
Piute County, Utah Commissioner Darien Bushman responded by saying, “Now there is some classy leadership for you.”
Bushman also said that Clark County Sheriff Douglas Gillespie was too spineless to exercise his jurisdiction and arrest the feds on charges of trespassing and grand theft.
Americans from all over armed themselves, united and stood their ground against the feds.
Feds had snipers on protesters and threatened to shoot anyone if they crossed the fence. Protesters and real life cowboys then called their bluff. Cowboys armed themselves and had snipers looking through their scopes at other snipers.
Bundy said,” This is America and we are no longer going to take the abuse from the federal government. We are going to arm ourselves to protect our land and our rights.”
A Clark County Judge said that citizens have every right to protect themselves from corruption and against the use of intimidation from the federal government. He went on to say that in reality, the BLM should not even be armed and the Sheriff could have actually disarmed them.
Ranchers asked,“How can the federal government justify the use of 200 armed men and all of the resources that were used to try and intimidate us when we have illegal’s crossing our borders all the time?” They went on to say that it is a sad day when the threat to shoot legal citizens over “turtles” takes precedence over keeping our borders safe.
Many have described the standoff as a scene from the movie ‘V For Vendetta.’ While others were calling it another Waco.
Ranchers said, “The corruption runs from the county commissioner’s all the way up to the Senator, and we have had enough. If the fed’s want to use violence and bring guns, we can speak that language too.”
“There were police sneaking up behind people and slamming them on the ground for no reason then laughing. It was not until police aggressively approached citizens and tasered someone from behind that things got out of control. The entire situation was recorded from beginning to end, this was done so police could not say it was only a ‘partial video,’ everything was recorded by Channel 8 News, infowars.com as well as many other media outlets.”
In a press conference on April 14, 2014, Bundy confirmed that several of his cattle had actually died as a result of the BLM’s actions.
Ocala Post attempted to reach Collins via phone, however, his office refused to comment.
The BLM also refused to comment and has since deleted material from its website that describes the land deal between the senator and the Chinese. A land deal that Senator Reid now denies.
Ocala Post was however able to obtain some raw video footage.
Woodlawn, Maryland — The Social Security Administration announced Monday it is suspending a controversial program that goes after adult children of deceased taxpayers who the government claims were recipients of over-payments more than a decade ago.
Experts say that the agency overstepped its boundaries in a very large way and they should be punished, if not shut down entirely.
The program is three-years -old, and has now been halted while the program is reviewed, said Acting Social Security Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin.
The controversial program seized tax refunds in an effort to recoup the funds.
“While this policy of seizing tax refunds to repay decades-old Social Security over-payments might be allowed under the law, it is entirely unjust,” Democratic Senators Barbara Boxer of California and Barbara Mikulski of Maryland said in a letter to Colvin.
“On the eve of Tax Day, families preparing their budgets across Maryland and our nation are counting on refunds they are owed. Garnishing these refunds to collect over-payments incurred through no fault of their own and based on decades-old errors is a policy that must not continue,” said Mikulski.
“Just because the SSA and the IRS say it is legal, doesn’t make it so.”
The Social Security Administration says it has identified about 400,000 people with old debts. They owe a total of $714 million.
The agency said in a press releases that they have collected $55 million from family members of the deceased, children that are now adults and the disabled.
Many of the debts are more than 10 years old and a large portion of the money that has been collected is over-payments that were made to children more than a decade ago.
“We want to assure the public that we do not seek restitution through tax refund offset in cases when the debt in question was established prior to the debtor turning 18 years of age,” Social Security spokesman Mark Hinkle said. “Also, we do not use tax refund offset to collect the debt of a person’s relative — we only use it to collect the overpaid benefits the person received for himself or herself.”
Analysts say Hinkle’s statement is completely misleading and that the IRS has seized tax refunds for debts stemming from a parent that is now deceased by means of a child that is now grown.
For now the program is suspended, but The People want to know; when is enough, enough.
[Warning: Video contains mild language, viewer discretion is advised.]
Jason Pomales [Left] Stacey Pomales [Right]Ocala, Florida — On April 5, 2014, Deputy Lisa Azure and Deputy Newbanks responded to the 15600 block of SW 16th Avenue, in reference to a complaint about a large party.
According to the sheriff’s office, there were between 100-125 people at the party and a large bonfire was blazing in the back of the house near a structure. The fire department was also dispatched to the area, according to Captain Pistarelli of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
According to deputies, when they first arrived on scene they observed three people sitting in a car, all of whom were juveniles. All three juveniles were sitting in the vehicle rolling a “joint” and had cups that contained alcohol residue in their possession.
When asked where they got the alcohol, the juveniles replied, “You can pay $2.00 and get it from the house party,” according to deputies. All three juveniles were arrested and later released into the custody of their parents.
Captain Pistarelli said the road was very poorly lit and there were vehicles in the roadway that most certainly were a safety hazard to thru traffic.
According to Captain Pistarelli, Deputy Azure got on her PA system and announced that people at the party needed to move their vehicles that were obstructing traffic in the roadway, at which time Jason Pomales, 28, emerged from the crowed and began shouting, “you don’t have to do what they say, you don’t have to move your cars.”
Deputies stated that Pomales was getting the crowd “revved” up.
Deputies indicated that Pomales also told them (the deputies) to get off of the property because it is private property and they didn’t have a lawful right to be there.
The deputies explained to Pomales that they were investigating a complaint of an open house party in which a cover charge was being collected, but Pomales insisted on arguing with deputies, according to reports.
Deputy Azure stated that she told Pomales several times to back away from deputies or he would be arrested, however Pomales would not listen.
Deputies said a large crowd began to form around the deputies. Deputies also indicated that several individuals in the crowd were screaming at the deputies. The crowd remained, despite deputies giving verbal commands for them to disburse.
According to Captain Pogue with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Pomales, prior to being approached and arrested, emptied his pockets then turned to his wife, Stacey Pomales, 26, handed her his wallet and phone and said, “record this.” Captain Pogue said it was as if he was planning on being arrested with the intention of having his wife record it.
At the time Pomales was being placed in handcuffs is when the video starts, therefore everything that happened prior to the recording cannot be seen.
Stacey continued to record as she yelled at Deputy Azure, demanding her badge number even though Stacey was not the person being arrested at that time.
Law Enforcement officials are not required to stop during an arrest or investigation to answer questions of bystanders or family members, especially if there is a potential threat of violence to law enforcement.
According to the Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission, 21′-25′ is the minimum safe distance a law enforcement officer should, at all times, maintain between a suspect and themselves in order to effectively and safely be able to respond to a threat. This minimum distance is referred to as the Reactionary Gap.
During the investigation deputies gave verbal commands to Stacey several times both on and off video, telling her to stand back, according to reports.
Captain Pistarelli said that Stacey kept leaning up against one of the deputies patrol cars even after being asked to stand back.
As Stacey was being arrested, in the video it seems as though she was just standing there, however, Captain Pistarelli said that was not the case.
“At the moment that Stacey was arrested in the video, she was actually leaning up against one of the patrol cars, even after being asked to disburse,” said Captain Pistarelli. “She was leaning on the patrol car and recording– completely ignoring the deputy’s directions.”
Stacey also jerked her arm away from Deputy Azure as she was being handcuffed, according to reports.
Gregg Jerald, general counsel for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said, “Neither of the defendants were arrested for video recording as they claim.” Adding, “Both defendants were impeding on an investigation and that’s the bottom line.”
Ocala Post asked the Marion County Sheriff’s Office if the deputies prevented anyone from leaving the party; to which Captain Pistarelli replied, “Pomales indicated that deputies had stopped people from leaving the party but that is also a fabrication of the truth.”
“Deputies did not conduct any traffic stops while at the scene of the party nor did they prevent motorist from leaving. The only motorist that was spoken to, was simply asked to buckle up and then sent on their way,” said Captain Pistarelli. “At no time did deputies question any passerby’s about the house party or their involvement.”
During a recorded interview with Pomales, he indicated that he was left in the back of a patrol car with the windows up and the air-conditioning off. Pomales said he was sweating profusely. Gregg Jerald said the accusations are completely false.
Captain Pistarelli said, “The patrol vehicles emergency lights were activated, therefore the car would have been running and the A/C was on. If the car was not running and all lights were activated, the battery would have run dead very quickly, therefore deputies leave the cars running while emergency lights are activated.”
Ocala Post also asked the Marion County Sheriff’s Office if they felt that Pomales’ actions were financially motivated or if they feel [he] intentionally antagonized deputies.
Caption Pogue said, “It does appear that Pomales is a member of a group whose sole purpose is to antagonize and record law enforcement officials.”
Gregg Jerald said that during a recorded jail house phone conversation between Pomales and his friend, that money was mentioned.
[Jail Conversation]
When asked how the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to deputies in regards to the video; Chief Fred LaTorre with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said, “ There are some things that Deputy Azure as well as other deputies said in the video that were not appropriate and those issues are being addressed. If one of our deputies does something wrong we will correct it.”
Captain Pistarelli said, “We are taking this video, addressing the issues and making sure it is used as a training video.” Adding, “If you watch the video you will see that at no time did any of the deputies curse, or become verbally or physically abusive to anyone at the party.”
Gregg Jerald said, “The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has absolutely no qualms with any citizen recording one of our deputies so as long as it is done from a safe distance, does not interfere with a deputies ability to perform his or her duties to the best of their ability and does not interfere with an investigation.”
Captain Pistarelli said his best advice to the citizens of Marion County is that when a deputy is conducting an investigation, do not let someone in the crowd provoke the situation or influence your decision making. Interfering with an investigation is a quick way to get a charge for obstruction as well as it posing a safety concern for all parties involved, he said
Stacey Pomales was arrested and charged with Resisting an Officer/Obstruction Without Violence, she was released on $1,000 bond.
Jason Pomales was charged with Resisting Arrest, he was released on $500.00 bond.
The investigation in regards to the open house party in relation to alcohol being served to minors is ongoing. It is unclear at this time how the minors came to be in possession of the marijuana.
Ocala, Florida — Daniel Pedalino, 48, of Ocala is now speaking out after being arrested on April 9, 2014 for allegedly threatening students at Hammett Bowen Elementary for bullying his daughter.
In nearly a two hour interview with Pedalino, he told Ocala Post that he is extremely grateful from the bottom of his heart for all of the support he has received from Marion County residents and some media outlets.
However, Pedalino said he is not impressed with the way this case has been handled by the arresting deputy, Deputy Simpson of the Marion county Sheriff’s Office, the state attorney’s office and school officials.
According to Pedalino, his encounter with the children at Hammett Bowen was incorrectly described in the arrest affidavit.
Pedalino said he went to the school as he has done in the past to have lunch with his daughter, and it was at her request. He said he sat and ate lunch with her and while he was eating he could see kids at the regular lunch table pointing and laughing.
The students were pointing and laughing because Pedalino has a deformity. He said he was born with a deformed right hand and he only has two fingers on that hand, which he barely has use of. He said during the entire lunch certain kids were standing up, pointing and clearly making fun of him as well as his daughter.
“Completely having no respect,” he said.
Pedalino said, “After lunch I exited the stage with my daughter and walked her over to her class. I was then approached by someone whom knows me and jokes with me when I visit the school, and told I could not be in that area. I said I was sorry and then I turned and addressed the children. I did not just get up, leave the stage and address the kids as Deputy Simpson claims in his report.”
“The public should also know that one of the bullies is the son of a law enforcement officer. The main bully at the table in fact. He is the one that was standing up and making hand gestures while I was eating with my daughter. School staff eventually walked over to him and said something to him,” said Pedalino.
According to Pedalino, when Deputy Simpson arrived at his home on the day of the incident he (Pedalino) greeted the deputy at the end of the driveway. Pedalino said the deputies demeanor was very rude and he clearly had a predetermined notion of what he wanted the outcome of the situation to be before he even arrived at his home.
Pedalino said that while Deputy Simpson was questioning him, he attempted to “trick” him (Pedalino) into stating his sole intention of going to the school was to harass and threaten the children. Pedalino said the deputy would ask the same question but in a different way, and he did that multiple times. Pedalino said he finally told the deputy, “Do not misinterpret the fact that my daughter asked my wife and I to have lunch with her at the school as we have done in the past…that’s it, period.”
Pedalino said, “I told the deputy ‘off the record’ that he was acting like my daughter was not the victim.” To which the deputy replied, “I am not your friend and I am not on your side.” Pedalino said the deputy also told him that nothing was “off the record” with him (the deputy). Pedalino said that the deputy made these statements less than 20 feet from his daughter.
“I also had to e-mail the sheriff’s office and ask for statements that were left out of the arrested affidavit to be included, because Deputy Simpson refused to include them. I had sent an e-mail that I wanted included as well, all of which I wanted as public record. Deputy Simpson was less than honest in his report,” said Pedalino
“During a phone conversation with Deputy Simpson he kept interrupting me and wouldn’t let me explain myself or get a word in. He kept talking over me as if I wasn’t even on the phone. Finally I told him to quit interrupting me and let me finish a sentence. Deputy Simpson then hung up on me.”
In a follow up report written by Deputy Simpson, he wrote, “He was getting upset, and during the conversation, I was trying to correct misinformation he had when he told me not to interrupt him again. Fearing the conversation was going to continue to be hostile in nature, I terminated the phone call.”
Pedalino said when he arrived at the jail after being arrested, the staff treated him like he should have known the routine. He said he was told, “You know the drill.” Pedalino said he told them he didn’t “know the drill” and would appreciate them not acting like he did. He said one of the corrections officers then told him that he “looked” like he “knew the drill” and “looked” like someone that is in jail often.
Pedalino does not have an arrest record, according the the Marion County Sheriff’s data base.
Pedalino told Ocala Post that this entire situation has opened his eyes into how the justice system treats people, all the way down to important facts intentionally being left out of police reports.
Pedalino’s daughter in an Honor Roll student and has never been in trouble at school. She has a perfect record.
Pedalino said after reporting the bullying he was contacted by Ms. Clifford, the school dean, via e-mail and told that she would address all parties involved. “However, instead of taking care of the situation, our daughter was ridiculed and accused of lying,” said Pedalino.
“Iactually feared for my daughters safety after the e-mail,” he said.
Since his arrest, Pedalino has hired a private attorney.
Pedalino said, “I am very encouraged after the conversation I had with my attorney today, and I will be pleading not guilty; there is just too much dishonesty in this case.”
He said, “I keep excellent records, notes and have every e-mail that I need.”
“I have attended every single one of my children’s award ceremonies, and now, because of this situation I can no longer attend. I cannot go within 1000 feet of any school. I will fight this to the very end,” he said.
Pedalino said that his daughter is traumatized over the entire situation, but he is showing her support and assuring her that being bullied is not her fault nor is it her fault that he was arrested.
In a school that was named after Hammett Bowen Jr., a hero that threw himself on a grenade to save his own men, there is disgrace.
“Hammett Bowen Jr. is an American hero, and his name deserves better, it deserves to be on a school that will actually protect children from bullies, not allow it,” Said Pedalino.
Daniel Pedalino [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — On April 4, 2014 Deputy Simpson responded to Hammett Bowen Elementary school in reference to a disturbance on campus created by a parent of one of the students.
The principal of the school, Leanna Dixon, told Deputy Simpson that suspect Daniel Pedalino was at the school to have lunch with his daughter.
According to reports, while at the school, Pedalino’s daughter pointed out several students that had been bullying her to her father.
A witness said she saw Pedalino exit the stage where parents eat lunch with their children and approach the table where the other children were sitting.
The witness said Pedalino then said to the kids, “If you mess with my daughter, I will hunt you down.” The witness said she then approached Pedalino and told him he had to leave immediately, and that he could not talk to the children that way.
The witness said Pedalino then apologized to her and then turned to the children sitting at the table and said, “I will fu**ing hunt you down,” and then left the school.
According to reports, one of the children told Deputy Simpson that Pedalino’s daughter was being bullied. The child said that students always tell the girl she is fat and call her a monkey. The child said he did not hear what Pedalino said to the other children at the table.
Other children had different versions of what Pedalino actually said while addressing the table, according to reports.
Deputy Simpson met up with Pedalino at his home after leaving the school.
Pedalino told the deputy that his daughter as well as several other girls at the school are being bullied by the same group of boys.
Pedalino admitted to speaking with the children at the table and telling them to leave his daughter and the other girls alone, but denies that he ever said he was going to “hunt them down.”
Ocala Post was contacted by two parents whose child formally attended Hammett Bowen. Both parents told Ocala Post that they do not want their names released.
They told Ocala Post that their son was being bullied at Hammett Bownen to the point of being physically ill and not wanting to attend school in the mornings.
“He was being bullied by a large group of black kids,” they said. “The kids would spit in his food, put their fingers in it, call him a white fat fag and often times they called him a d**k sucker.”
“Many times he went without eating lunch,” they said.
They said that they went to the school as well as e-mailed teachers, but nothing was ever done about the situation. They said that when their son became withdrawn and un-focused in school, the school actually started placing blame on their son.
“We eventually pulled our son out of the school,” they said. “When he began to stop eating breakfast and cry in the morning we knew enough was enough.”
According to the parents, they began to home school their son. They said approximately 10 days after they withdrew him from public school two school officials from Hammett Bowen showed up at their doorstep. They said the school officials told them that they didn’t have the right to remove their son from school and home school him. They also said that the school officials demanded to speak with their son, but they refused.
“We told the officials why we were home schooling and about all of the bullying…but they didn’t seem to care,” they said. “We told them that while we were in car line at the school we had actually witnessed a horrible bullying incident.. but again, they didn’t care.”
“After about 10 to 15 minutes of arguing, I threw them off of my property, “the father said. “Our son has been in private school ever since.”
Ocala Post is awaiting an interview with Pedalino, however, we were able to speak his wife, Annemarie Pedalino.
Annemarie said, “We did go to the school about my daughter being bullied and the school acted as if it was just kids being kids.”
“My husband has been very active in anti-bullying and it is sad that it came to this.”
Annemarie said that her daughter was being called fat, monkey, as well as other names on a daily basis. She also said that there was an incident in which one of the bullies spit on her daughters desk.
Annemarie said she in no way feels it is a racial issue, but said it is a group of black kids that has been bullying her daughter. “I feel it is a lack of parenting on the other parents part, “she said. Adding, “My daughter is traumatized after being bullied non-stop, and the school is responsible for protecting her.”
“The school clearly mishandled this entire situation,” Annemarie said. “My husband was just a father being a father, and the situation got out of hand.”
Pedalino was charged with Disturbing Peace-Interfere with School Administration Functions and Simple Assault-Intent Threat to do Violence (X4).
Ocala Post reached out to the school board via e-mail, but a response was not immediately received.
Citrus County, Florida — The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, along with assisting agencies, is searching for a missing plane that possibly went down in the Withlacoochee Forest on April 5, 2014.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the plane departed from the Dunnellon Airport in Marion County on this date. The pilot, Theodore Weiss, 74, of Zephyrhills has not been seen since.
Weiss was reported as not reaching his destination to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on Monday afternoon, April 7.
Weiss was reported to be the pilot of an experimental fixed wing single engine plane.
16 hours ago, ground units for the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office concluded their search for the day, however, aviation units continued looking for Weiss throughout the night.
Today, April 9, 2014, a full ground search for Weiss involving multiple agencies resumed.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and a myriad of other agencies will spend the day combing the area for the 74-year-old missing pilot.
Commander Buddy Grant, along with Colonel Maurer with Hernando County Sheriff’s Office are talking to the media about the search efforts underway to find the missing man/plane out of Hernando County.
The Civil Air Patrol attempted to track Weiss’ flight after he was reported missing on April 7, 2014, and provided last known coordinates near Trail 10 in a portion of the Withlacoochee State Forest in Citrus County. Based on information provided by the Civil Air Patrol, Citrus and Hernando Counties began their search Monday evening over 40,000+ acres.
“This is an extremely difficult search,” CCSO’s Undersheriff Buddy Grant said Tuesday. “The terrain is rough and very dense and we have a very broad search area. Thanks to other agencies, we have assembled a huge team to help find Mr. Weiss. We’re in the air, on the ground utilizing ATVs, horses and foot patrol. We’re searching grid by grid and thankfully, the weather is on our side right now.”
More than 125 people reported to the command post at 4400 S. Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto this morning to receive assignments.
Search party getting ready to head out.
The search includes 30 ATVs with Florida Wildlife Commission, Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Sumter, Levy and Marion County Sheriff’s Offices, Posse members from Citrus and Hernando, helicopters from Citrus and Hernando and a fixed wing aircraft from both the Civil Air Patrol and the Florida Forest Service. Community Emergency Response Team members from Citrus and Hernando also joined the search.
[All photos courtesy of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.]
Sherry Wilemon [Mugshot]Anthony, Florida — On April 7, 2014 the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a man in reference to his neighbor, Sherry Spears Wilemon, 66, shooting and killing his cat with a pellet rifle.
The man told Deputy Calvin Batts that he had not seen [his] cat “Smokey” since early Sunday Morning.
According to reports, the man ran into one of his other neighbors at the grocery store, at which time he learned that his neighbor had witnessed Wilemon shoot his cat.
Deputy Batts spoke with the witness, who stated that he was outside working on his boat when he heard what sounded like a pellet rifle “go off.”
The witness said that when he heard the shot he walked out of his shed to investigate and saw a grey cat in Wilemon’s driveway flopping around like it was injured.
The witness also told Deputy Batts that he saw Wilemon hiding behind a tree.
The witness said he was infuriated and was getting ready to approach Wilemon because he thought it was his cat. However he later found his cat in his shed unharmed.
According to reports, Wilemon left the cat suffering in her driveway for nearly 10 minutes as it flopped around meowing in pain.
The witness said approximately 10 minutes later he heard a second shot, and when he went to investigate he saw the neighbors son scoop up the cat with a shovel and carry it to the backyard.
Deputy Batts made contact with Wilemon’s son whom told the deputy that his mom had called him and said she shot something big and it was still alive. The son, whom lives next door to him mother, said he walked to her house and removed the cat which was still alive, to the backyard. Once in the backyard he said he “put the cat down” then buried it.
Wilemon said she shot the cat because she thought it may have been getting into her trash but didn’t mean to hurt it.
According to neighbors, this is not the first time that a cat in the neighborhood has sustained serious injuries.
Deputy Batts observed an injury that had already began to heal on another cat belonging to the man that was consistent with it being shot with a pellet gun. Wilemon said she did not recall shooting the mans other cat.
Due to the excessive suffering and cruel death that the cat endured, Wilemon was arrested and charged with Aggravated Animal Cruelty.
Tallahassee, Florida – The Agency for Health Care Administration continues to roll out the Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) program, the second installment of Florida’s new system of Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC).
