Ocala, Florida — The Ocala Police Department will have a DUI checkpoint set up on Saturday, March 15, 2014, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the 700 block of South Magnolia Avenue.
Along with looking for impaired drivers, OPD officers will also be checking for valid driver’s license, proper insurance documents and valid and up-to-date vehicle registrations.
The DUI checkpoint is not just limited to drivers that commit any of the violations mentioned.
Tallahassee, Florida –On March 13, 2014, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Joe Negron (R-Stuart), unanimously approved Senate Bill 156, Motor Vehicle License Taxes. The bill, sponsored by Chair Negron, would reduce certain annual vehicle registration fees by nearly $400 million.
“Our starting point for this year’s tax cut package was legislation passed by the Senate last session which reduced vehicle registration fees by more than $230 million,” said Chair Negron. “From day one we committed to making a reduction in vehicle fees the centerpiece of meaningful tax relief for Florida’s families. I’m pleased that as the bill moved through the committee process, we gained support within the Senate to increase the amount and scope of this needed reduction in fees and I’m grateful to Governor Scott and our colleagues in the House for their leadership on this important issue.”
Senate Bill 156 reduces certain annual fees paid to register a motor vehicle to the amount paid prior to 2009. Based on the latest estimates, the bill reduces fees by $395 million. Annual vehicle registration fees were raised during the height of Florida’s economic decline in 2009, a year when state general revenue collections had declined more than 22 percent since their high in 2005-2006.
As Florida’s economy continues to rebound, tax relief is a joint priority of Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) and House Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel) who announced a $500 million tax and fee reduction as a key component of their 5-point Work Plan 2014 joint legislative agenda.
The Senate Appropriations Committee passed four additional Work Plan Florida 2014 priorities today: CS/CS/SB 846 by Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater), SB 928 by Senator Jeremy Ring (D-Margate), SB 1648 by the Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability, and Senate Bill 732 by Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton).
Aiming to increase the standard of ethics across the state, SB 846 extends specific provisions within the Code of Ethics, such as anti-nepotism provisions, voting conflict standards, and post-employment lobbying restrictions, to statutorily created quasi-governmental entities, like the Florida Clerk of Courts, Enterprise Florida and Citizens Property Insurance.
Senate Bill 928 develops an Information Technology governance strategy for the state through the creation of an Agency for State Technology, headed by a Chief Information Officer and charged with producing better Information Technology management, security, cost efficiency and customer service.
Senate Bill 1648 substantially strengthens Florida’s existing public records and open government laws by clarifying how the public may access records and how government should respond. The legislation brings additional transparency to organizations that accept membership fees from the government and to businesses with government contracts.
SB 732, Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program, aims to provide the Florida Prepaid College Board better predictability of future tuition and fee payments to universities, thus reducing the cost of prepaid contracts. The maximum assessment and payment for state university registration fees, tuition differential fees, local fees, and dormitory fees is capped at no more than the actual cost charged by the state universities for such fees.
All five bills will now head to the Senate floor.
Tallahassee, Florida–The Florida Senate Committee on Health Policy, chaired by Senator Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach), On March 12, 2013, passed Senate Bill 1030, allowing the compassionate use of low-THC grade marijuana for Floridians suffering with severe neurological conditions.
The Republican-led effort sponsored by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and co-sponsored by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) and Chair Bean, would provide a framework for the production and distribution of non-smokable strains of cannabis with high concentrations of CBD, the medicinal component of cannabis, and low levels (.05%) of THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana.
“As parent, I would do anything to prevent my children from suffering, so I sympathize with the compelling testimony from parents forced to seek treatment in other states or face legal jeopardy in Florida.” said Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville). “These parents aren’t criminals. They are desperate to find a solution to help their children who have not found relief with other medications. This legislation allows for the compassionate use of this particular strain of non-smokable medical cannabis and provides for the ongoing study of this type of treatment.”
“I made the decision to file SB 1030 after meeting with the families of children who suffer hundreds of serious seizures every day,” said Senator Bradley. “These desperate parents have tried everything. One father told me that his daughter has been put into a medically induced coma several times. We don’t hear the voices of these Floridians in their 30’s and 40’s because most don’t live past 25. Under current Florida law, if these parents give their suffering children this substance, they are criminals. Simply put, that’s not right, and I filed a bill to fix it.”
SB 1030 creates a pathway toward legal use of substances similar to “Charlotte’s Web,” which is processed into an oil extract and administered by placing a droplet under the tongue, avoiding the harmful side effects of smoking marijuana. The hybrid strain, originally referred to as “Hippie’s Disappointment,” offers the therapeutic benefits of CBD without getting patients “high.” Charlotte’s Web has been reported to provide relief from serious illnesses, including for children suffering from daily seizures associated with epilepsy.
“Charlotte’s Web is different from what the public typically associates with marijuana,” said Chair Bean. “Its non-smokable, non-euphoric, and most importantly provides relief to children suffering from debilitating seizures on a daily basis.”
“This bill is a starting point of a conversation about how Florida should adjust our laws to reflect new advancements in treatment,” said Senator Brandes. “Physicians should have all the tools at their disposal to improve the lives of those suffering from severe conditions like epilepsy.”
Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Shalimar) has filed the companion bill in the House, HB 843.
Polk county, Florida — On Saturday, March 8, 2014, a Lake Wales woman reported that she had been bitten by a raccoon and that her neighbors’ dogs had been fighting with it, in the area of 952 Campbell Avenue.
The PCSO Animal Control Section responded, impounded the raccoon, and sent its body to the state lab for rabies testing.
On March 13, 2014 the raccoon was confirmed positive for rabies by the State Laboratory.
The dogs’ owner was notified of the test results and the dogs will be quarantined for 180 days.
Residents are reminded that bats and raccoons are considered to be a high risk species or “rabies vector species” (RVS). Please do not approach any animal which is acting in an unusual or suspicious manner. If you think you or your pet has had an “exposure,” please contact Animal Control.
Ocala, Florida — On March 13, 2014 Samantha Ashley Hatfield, 29, and Phillip Coy Parker, 34, both of Silver Springs, were arrested and face a criminal charge of Theft of Utilities.
The investigation began when someone contacted Ocala Electric through their website and indicated that someone illegally hooked up the electric to a house by using jumper cables.
An employee of Ocala Electric investigated and found jumper cables clamped to the overhead power lines with the other end of the cables connected to the inside of the electric box, according to reports. The employee also noted that the power meter to the home had been removed.
Hatfield told detectives that they have been without power for a year and Parker created the illegal hook up approximately eight months ago. Parker told detectives that he would occasionally hook up the power so he and Hatfield could take a hot shower.
Ocala City Electric Company representatives said the estimated loss value is $1,274.
Ocala, Florida — On February 24, 2014, Joseph Alvarez, 23, was arrested after a witness reported seeing him on the property of Tanos Auto Sales breaking out car windows.
Alvarez admitted to breaking out several windows in vehicles belonging to Tanos Auto Sales. Alvarez said he did it because the owner of Tanos Auto Sales, Ismail Osman, repossessed a vehicle [he] had purchased from the business. Osman claimed he repossessed the 2005 Crown Victoria two weeks after Alvarez purchased it for the reason of “unpaid taxes.”
Alvarez said that Osman did not legally own the vehicle that [he] had purchased. “I have never been fu**ed before so I thought I wouldn’t let him f**k anyone else,” said Alvarez.
Alvarez’ fiancé, Annmarie Giraldo, said, “I called the sheriff’s office before Joseph broke any windows. I told them what had happened and that Joseph was really upset over the entire incident.”
“I was told by the sheriff’s office that this is a civil matter and they could not help me,” Giraldo said.
Giraldo went on to say, “It wasn’t until I hung up the phone that Joseph decided that the way to get the police to respond was to break the windows of the cars. Joseph refused to let anyone else get ripped off.”
Giraldo said they paid cash for the vehicle, it was not a “buy here pay here” deal.
On February 24, 2014, Ismail’s son, Hassan Osman “hotwired” the 2005 Crown Victoria in order to remove it from Alvarez’ property because Hassan did not have keys to the vehicle.
After discovering the vehicle was missing from their property, Giraldo said she called Ismail and was told she would have to speak with his son, Hassan, who was not available. During the conversation, Giraldo said that Ismail became rude and called her “white trash.”
Alvarez and Giraldo then drove to Tanos Auto sales just to find the business closed.
Following Alvarez’ arrest, Marion County Sheriff’s Detective Thomas Tingue began investigating the case after Alvarez explained exactly what had transpired in regards to the purchase of the 2005 Crown Victoria.
Detective Tingue informed the DMV of the situation.
On March 4, 2014, Detective Tingue, along with Joseph Alvarez, Annmarie Giraldo and DMV supervisors Barbara Benjamen and Sharon Sturdevant met at the Sheriff’s Office South Multi-district office to discuss the investigation.
The following is Alvarez’ account of what happened:
Alvarez stated that he purchased the 2005 Crown Victoria after seeing a listing on Craigslist. After calling the number on Craigslist and making contact with Hassan, they agreed to meet at the Sweetbay Supermarket in Belleview, Florida for a test drive.
On February 6, 2014, Alvarez said that he and Hassan met at the Sweetbay and after test driving the vehicle, he followed Hassan to Tanos Auto Sales on South Highway 441.
After pulling into the parking lot, Alvarez said he confronted Hassan and stated, “I thought I was purchasing the vehicle from you and not a car lot.” Hassan then told Alvarez that he owned the vehicle but the title was in the car lots name.
Alvarez agreed to pay $2,350 for the vehicle and gave a deposit of $200.00. Alvarez said he told Hassan and Ismail that he would return on February 10, 2014, with the remainder of the money after he received his tax refund.
On February 10, 2014, Alvarez and his fiancé, Annmarie Giraldo, returned to Tanos Auto Sales to complete the transaction. Alvarez stated that during the transaction Hassan and Ismail were discussing taxes and transfer fees, at which time Alvarez told both Hassan and Ismail he would complete the transfer paper work on his own. Ismail then told Alvarez that he could not take the title to the DMV because he (Ismail) would lose his license to sell cars. Alvarez then asked, “If the vehicle belongs to Hassan why does the paperwork need to be completed by the car lot?” Alvarez said he told them that he was not buying the vehicle from the car lot, he was purchasing it from Hassan.
Alvarez said that the transaction was then completed and Ismail handed him the title and keys to the vehicle and he and his fiancé left.
###
Upon hearing the information provided by Alvarez, Benjamen and Sturdevant conducted a title history search on said vehicle. It was learned that Ismail Osman went to the DMV on February 18, 2014, and applied for a duplicate title, he claimed the original had been lost or stolen. Shortly after Ismail received a duplicate title, one the same date, the vehicle was transferred into Hassan’s name.
Detective Tingue also learned that on February 24, 2014, the day of the incident, Hassan phoned the Sheriff’s Office Communications Center and advised that he had repossessed the 2005 Crown Victoria. Upon being asked by dispatch if he worked for a repossession company, he said he did not. Hassan told dispatch that he was repossessing the vehicle for himself because Alvarez did not make his payments. Hassan told dispatch that he sold the vehicle to Alvarez for $2,350 but Alvarez had only given him $200 toward the vehicle.
During a recorded phone interview, Hassan told Detective Tingue that he had only received $200.00 from Alvarez as a deposit, but never received the remainder of the money. Hassan stated he repossessed the vehicle because the balance was not paid. Hassan also stated that he was the “owner” of the vehicle and not the “lien holder.”
According to Giraldo, Hassan and Ismail told detectives that Alvarez stole the title of the vehicle from Tanos Auto Sales.
However, a local business owner and eyewitness told Detective Tingue that Ismail carries a black briefcase containing all vehicle titles and that he never goes anywhere without it. The eyewitness stated that Ismail would have never handed over collateral prior to having the money in his hands. The eyewitness also told Detective Tingue that on February 10, 2014, he overheard a conversation between Hassan and Ismail which indicated that the title was handed over to Alvarez, and not stolen by him.
Detective Tingue made contact with Assistant State Attorney Mark Simpson and presented all the evidence he gathered.
On March 13, 2014, Ismail Osman, 52, was arrested and now faces a felony charge of False Statement in Title Transfer. Hassan Osman, 27, faces a charge of Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle.
The 2005 Crown Victoria was impounded.
Ismail has previous arrests for Driver’s License Fraud, Criminal Mischief, Domestic Aggravated Assault, Domestic Battery, Battery, and Simple Assault.
Joseph Alvarez does not have any prior arrests.
“Had law enforcement not blown us off when we called this would not have happened,” Giraldo said. “Detective Tingue has been great during the investigation…if it were not for him listening to Joseph, the truth would not have come out and Ismail and Hassan would be free to commit more crimes. Who knows how many other people they have done this too.”
She went on to say, “Joseph is a really nice guy…he may not look like it on the first appearance..but he really is. He wanted to be in law enforcement and now he is afraid that will never happen because of this situation. All he wanted to do is to keep other innocent people from being ripped off.”
Giraldo said they have lost about $2,400, which includes repairs done to the vehicle. She said it is not certain if the vehicle will be returned to them or not, she said she was told it will be up to the judge.
“We are hoping that the judge will understand the situation and see what actually has taken place…Maybe the charges will be dropped. We are not asking for special treatment, but this is an entirely different situation”, Said Giraldo. “I also hope that Hassan and Ismail get more charges than what they have against them.”
An unnamed source told Ocala Post that both Hassan and Ismail may be involved in a chop shop operation right here in Ocala.
Both Hassan and Ismail claim they are innocent and feel they did not break any laws.
Polk City, Florida –At approximately 12:10 a.m. on March 11, 2014, three people were killed in an accident at State Road 33 and Deen Still Road.
Justin Sims, 31, was reportedly traveling westbound on Deen Still Road in the family Buick when he failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with a semi pulling a trailer. The trailer ran up over the car, dragging it nearly 400 feet before coming to its final resting spot.
Justin, his wife Sharonda, 28, and 5-year-old son Savion were in the front seat; they were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Their other three children were in the back seat at the time of the accident. Areil, 7, and Kitty, 2, are fighting for their lives after being air lifted to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital. Arienne, 3-months-old, was in her car seat, and according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office did not have any visible injuries.
Deputies said no one in the car was wearing a seat belt.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office stated that Justin has a suspended driver’s license due to unpaid fines.
According to reports, the family was on their way home after a trip to an outlet mall in Orlando.
Investigators said it is unclear why Justin ran the stop sign, but they are still investigating.
Tallahassee, FL. – Today, Florida’s Senators met to honor the brave men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces. During the 2014 Florida National Guard Day at the Capitol, the Senate unanimously passed the Florida GI Bill, House Bill 7015, which is aimed to establish Florida as the top “Welcome Home” state for the military, veterans and their families.
“More than 1.5 million veterans, 61,000 active duty military personnel and nearly 12,000 Florida National Guard members and their families help make Florida the great state it is today,” said Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville), whose Northwest Florida district houses five military bases. “To show our gratitude for their unwavering commitment and sacrifice, the Florida Legislature today finalized our commitment to make our state the most-military friendly in the nation.”
The Florida GI Bill, which passed the House unanimously on the first day of the Legislative Session, is a joint priority of President Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel) and will now move to Governor Rick Scott’s desk for his signature.
“I understand the challenges our men and women in uniform face when returning to their loved ones and communities,” said Senator Garrett Richter (R-Naples), a former U.S. Army Ranger and Vietnam Bronze Star recipient. “Military training provides our veterans with unique skills sets that can be a tremendous benefit to private industry. It was my honor to stand with the Senate today to welcome our service members home by reducing barriers to employment and increasing opportunities for entrepreneurship in the private sector.”
“The Florida GI Bill will expand education and employment opportunities available to thousands of service members and their families who live in my district and across Florida,” said Senator Thad Altman (R-Melbourne). “We have heard from military communities across our state who let us know Florida can do more to celebrate the service and sacrifice of our military and veterans. The Florida GI Bill is a product of this input and shows our gratitude to those who have bravely served our country and our communities.”
Expanding Education and Employment Opportunities
Education
The GI Bill increases funding for the Educational Dollars for Duty (EDD) program to cover career certification and continuing education for maintaining licensure, provides for out-of-state student veterans to receive in-state tuition rates via the Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program, and encourages military base commanders and the Commissioner of Education to work together to increase military family student achievement. Specifically, $1.53 million in recurring funding is allocated towards the EDD program to expand education options for National Guard members to include industry certifications and continuing education to maintain license certifications. Preference in the distribution of funds is given to those National Guard members who have deployed on federal military orders. Textbook costs may be reimbursed after tuition has been paid for all eligible members in that year. The Department of Military Affairs (DMA) will receive $250,000 in nonrecurring funds for IT upgrades associated with administering and auditing the EDD program.
The GI Bill creates the Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program which directs state universities, state colleges, career centers, and technical centers to waive out-of-state tuition fees for honorably discharged veterans. Tuition and fees charged to an out-of-state student veteran may not exceed the tuition and fees charged to a resident student.
The bill provides legislative intent that the unique needs of military families be met and a framework be established to provide children of military families with a high-quality education. Military installation commanders are encouraged to work with the Commissioner of Education to increase military family student achievement, which may include the establishment of charter schools on military bases.
Florida is for Veterans, Inc.
Florida is for Veterans, Inc. (FIV) will be administratively housed at the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA). The corporation is charged with promoting the value of military skill sets to businesses in the state and assisting in training veterans via the VETS program. FIV will receive $300,000 from Visit Florida for market research on the veteran and military community and advise Visit Florida in the development and implementation of a marketing campaign encouraging veterans and service members to make Florida their permanent residence.
The VETS program housed at FIV is a workforce training program that caters to the unique training needs of veterans. This program is structured to serve as a hub where employers can be connected with veterans looking for jobs. Training that is needed to fulfill workforce needs can be funded through the VETS program. The program also provides services, such as resume building and helping veterans translate military training into civilian workforce skills. As part of the VETS program FIV will contract with one or more university systems to establish entrepreneurial training programs for veterans.
Veteran Preference in Hiring
The GI Bill expands the employment preference for positions in state, local and regional governmental entities, including the public education system, to all veterans, current members of the Reserves and the Florida National Guard, and the parents and spouses of service members who died in combat. The bill also establishes a permissive preference in private employment which allows businesses to establish hiring policies to give veterans and the spouses of disabled or deceased veterans’ preference.
Driver Licenses and Professional Licenses
The bill exempts an active duty service member’s spouse and dependents with out-of-state driver licenses who reside with him or her from the requirement to obtain a Florida driver license if the service member’s spouse begins employment in Florida or a dependent enrolls in a Florida public school. The bill also clarifies the spouse and dependent are eligible for an automatic extension without reexamination for a Florida driver license that expires while he or she is stationed outside of Florida. Additionally, the bill waives the initial licensing fees for 60 months for licenses obtained through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Department of Health (DOH) for honorably discharged veterans and their spouses.
Nursing Home Residency, Physician Licensing, and Pharmaceutical Distributor Representatives
The GI Bill removes the one-year residency requirement to allow veterans, who meet all other requirements for admission and are currently residents of the state, immediate access to vacancies in the state nursing homes.
Reciprocity is provided to license health care practitioners in their respective fields if those applicants have received, or will receive, an honorable discharge from service in the U.S. Armed Forces, including Reserve and National Guard components, or the U.S. Public Health Service.
The DOH application process for veteran and active military physicians applying for a temporary certificate for practice in underserved communities is streamlined. DOH must make a determination within ten days of receipt of the application.
The bill adds experience with handling prescription drugs for the U.S. Armed Forces to the list of qualifying experiences to become a certified representative of a wholesale drug distributor.
Investing in Florida’s Military Infrastructure
Base Buffering
The bill fully funds the top-tier base buffering needs of our military installations. This includes an appropriation for $7,489,975 to acquire lands around NSA Panama City (8.4 acres), NS Mayport (11 acres), and MacDill AFB (25.5 acres). The purchase of these non-conservation lands secures and protects the military installation against encroachment.
Armory Revitalization
The GI Bill appropriates $12.5 million which covers the next year of funding of the Florida Armory Revitalization Program (FARP). Some of Florida’s armories have not been modernized since the 1960’s and funding FARP is critical to the National Guard’s ability to keep armories safe and serviceable.
Florida is now on its way to becoming the most Military friendly state in the nation.
A Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived and briefly followed the suspected car. “I noticed that the vehicle straddled and crossed the center line several times,” the deputy said. The driver rapidly jerked the steering wheel from left to right while the patrol car followed, according to the deputy.
The deputy then activated the vehicles emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, German Vazquez, “reeked of alcohol” according to the arrest affidavit. Vazquez told the deputy that he had at least six beers.
Vazquez failed every sobriety exercise and was clearly under the influence of alcohol, according to the deputy. Vazquez was placed under arrest without incident.
During a search, the deputy found a small bag of cocaine in Vazquez’ wallet.
Once at the jail, Vazquez provided a sample of his breath. He blew .305 – that is nearly four (4) times the legal limit of allowed blood alcohol content.
Vazquez is facing charges of Cocaine possession, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Operating a Vehicle Without a Valid License.
Polk County, Florida — Around 11:00 a.m. on March 8, 2014, Sharon L. Trembley, 87, of Mulberry was doing “touch and goes” in his private Cessna Plane from the South Lakeland Airport near 7500 Coronet Road in the Mulberry area.
During his third pass, the passenger-side wing of his plane became entangled with a parachutist and cut the strings of his parachute.
The parachutist, John S. Frost, 49, of Gainesville, was flung through the air then slammed into the ground. The plane then nose-dived into the ground before falling to its final resting place. The incident occurred at between 75-100 feet above the ground.
Both men were transported by ambulance to LRMC. Frost was treated and released. Trembley is being held for observation. Neither received serious injuries.
Tim Telford, whom is in Florida from McClure, Ohio was witness to the incident and was able to snap photos as it happened.
The NTSB and FAA were notified and have taken over the investigation.
Ocala, Florida — On Sunday, March 9, 2014, Detective Peavy, with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrived at Ocala Regional Medical Center after learning that a woman that had been transferred to the trauma unit, had been the victim of a brutal attack.
After the victims lengthy surgery on her neck and throat was completed, Detective Peavy conducted a taped interview with the victim with the use of a translator whom works at the hospital.
During the interview, the victim stated that she was awakened by her daughter, 13-year-old Yaquelin Don. The victim said that Don told her that she heard noises in the garage. The victims said she then got up and went to the sliding glass door and looked out into the dark, at which time she said she didn’t see anything.
The victim stated that her daughter insisted that the noises were coming from the garage.
The victim said she went to the garage, turned on the light and attempted to open the door. The victim said that when she tried to open the garage door it would not open all the way, at which time she looked down saw two sock covered feet under the door. As she went into the garage, 15-year-old Pedro Solis confronted her. The victim said she knew right away who it was because she has caught Solis with her daughter in the past.
Solis then told the victim that she needed to let her daughter (Don) be with him. The victim stated that Solis said, “I can take care of her and provide for her.” Solis then told her (the mother) that she should not have hit him with a stick the last time they met.
According to reports, Solis, in one quick motion, then reached up and slit the mother’s throat with a knife he was holding in his right hand.
The victim stated that she began losing a large amount of blood and she was trying to apply pressure with her hands to slow the bleeding.
Don’s father then called out to his daughter several times after hearing the commotion in the garage, at which time Solis went into the bedroom and put a knife to the fathers throat and said, “You want the same damn thing to happen to you?” The father said he told Solis that if he hurt his wife could [he] please take her to the hospital.
Solis then returned to the mother whom was fighting for her life. The mother stated that she then told Solis what she thought he wanted to hear because she was afraid he was going to let her die. She said she told Solis that he could be with Don if he would take her (the mother) to the hospital.
The mother stated that when Solis finally put her into a van and was transporting her to the hospital, he kept checking on her to make sure she was still alive. The mother stated that on the way to the hospital Solis told her that she had to promise him that she wouldn’t sue him for cutting her throat and that he could be with her daughter. The mother said she agreed to everything out of fear for her life.
The mother told Detective Peavy that Don was standing in the garage next to Solis the entire time, even when Solis cut her throat.
Detective Peavy interviewed Don and she said that she had only woke her mom up because she (Don) heard a noise coming from the garage. Don stated that when her mom went into the garage, the door shut behind her and she didn’t see anything until Solis was backing out of the garage taking her mom to the hospital. According to reports, Don told Detective Peavy that Solis returned to the house to get her mom’s identification and Solis asked her to ride with him back to the hospital. Don stated that on the way to the hospital Solis told her that he saw a black man in the garage hurting her mom.
Detective Peavy then made contact with Solis. Solis, at first, told Detective Peavy that he was only walking past the mother’s house when he heard screams. He said that he went into the garage and saw a black man in the garage fighting with the mother. Solis said he was only trying to help. Detective Peavy then said, “That cannot be correct due to the statements I obtained from the mother and father,” according to reports.
Solis then changed his story.
Solis told Detective Peavy that they had talked about killing Don’s parents so he and Don could be together. Solis told Detective Peavy that he and Don had talked about it over the phone and on Facebook. He said on March 8, 2014, he and Don talked about it day and night.
Solis said they made arrangements to meet at Don’s residence after her parents went to bed. Solis said as he approached the residence he notified Don and she came outside and met with him. Solis said at that time they again discussed how to “get rid” of her parents so he and Don could be together forever. Solis said Don then walked him in through the sliding glass door of her mom’s house. Solis said he didn’t have any shoes on because Don requested he take them off before entering the house.
Solis said, “As we made our way through the living room we passed through the kitchen, while going through the kitchen Don removed a sharp knife from a kitchen drawer and handed it to me.” Solis said Don told him to get into the garage and she would figure out a way to get her mom to come into the garage. The two then picked out a hiding spot for Solis so he could ambush Don’s mom.
Solis then admitted to having a conversation with the mother and “slicing her throat.” He also admitted to putting the knife to the fathers throat.
Detective Peavy then re-contacted Don, at which time she admitted to talking about killing her parents for approximately a week. Don confirmed the story that Solis had provided to Detective Peavy. When asked why she made Solis remove his shoes Don replied, “Because I didn’t want them to make any noise.”
Solis and Don were charged with two counts each of Conspiracy to Commit Murder and one count each of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree.
Both have been booked into the Marion County Juvenile Detention Facility and are being held without bond.
Ocala, Florida — Marion County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Special Investigations detectives arrested 13- year-old Yaquelin Galvez Don and 15-year-old Pedro H. Solis for conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder in the second-degree.
The arrests came just before 5 p.m., Sunday, March 09, 2014. The victims were Don’s parents.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Don and Solis pushed forward a plan which included Solis hiding in a garage at Don’s home along N.W. 55th Place, Ocala.
Don lured her mother into the garage where Solis slit the mom’s throat.
While the mother struggled for her life, the second victim (the husband and Don’s father) called out after hearing the commotion in the garage.
According to reports, Solis went into the victim’s bedroom and put the knife to the father’s throat. The father pleaded with Solis to take his wife to the hospital.
Solis, reportedly dropped the mother off at the hospital. The mother survived surgery and was able to provide details to investigators.
Don and Solis are in the Marion County Juvenile Detention where they are being held without bond.
This investigation is ongoing , information will be made available as Ocala Post receives it.
Read updated story here.
[Video and Photos were provided to Ocala Post by Simon Besner, a Canadian tourist whom was vacationing in Daytona and happened to be in the right place at the right time; allowing him to capture the terrifying incident on camera. Material may not be copied and redistributed without consent.]
Listen to the 911 Call
Wilkerson ignored the children’s pleas for help, Volusia County Sheriff’s investigators learned, insisting that she was taking herself and her three children to “a safer place.”
Investigators concluded that it was an intentional act designed to kill her children and arrested Wilkerson on Friday, March 7, 2014, on three counts of Attempted First Degree Murder and three counts of Child Abuse.
Wilkerson was arrested at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, where she had been taken on Tuesday for a mental health evaluation. Wilkerson was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach and held without bond.
Wilkerson attempted to kill her three children and herself on March 4, 2014.
Volusia County Beach Safety officers responded to the initial incident on Tuesday afternoon and teamed up with several beach-goers to rescue the children — a 3-year-old girl, 9-year-old boy, and a 10-year-old girl.
While at the hospital, the children declared: “Mom tried to kill us.” The oldest child told beach officers that her mother took them to the beach “so we could die.”
On Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office was brought in to assume the lead role in the investigation. The agency made arrangements to have the two oldest children interviewed so investigators could get a more detailed account of what had taken place. Those interviews described a terrifying ordeal inside the minivan.
One of the children said that Wilkerson had locked the doors, put the windows up, and then drove into the ocean while saying she was doing it to “keep all of us safe.” The oldest child grabbed the steering wheel and unsuccessfully tried to steer the vehicle away from the water.
During an interview with a Sheriff’s investigator, a witness who helped with the rescue reported seeing a child on Wilkerson’s lap and the two were fighting for control of the steering wheel. One of the children pushed the power button to lower the windows and the children started screaming for help. Their yelling attracted bystanders, and when they approached the vehicle, Wilkerson told them everyone was O.K. However, the children were screaming that their mother was trying to kill them.
By the time the vehicle stopped, the ocean water was rushing into the minivan and the vehicle was quickly filling up. Wilkerson then exited the minivan and left her children inside the vehicle. The two older children were pulled to safety first and then, after they reported that their younger sister was still in the vehicle, the toddler was extracted through the minivan’s rear hatch.
According to a witness, during the rescue one of the beach safety officers had to fend off Wilkerson, who was grabbing at the officer and trying to stop him from entering the vehicle.
Sheriff’s investigators also interviewed a family member, who said that Wilkerson was in an abusive relationship and that she had come to Florida with her children to get away from her husband. The relative also said that Wilkerson had no history of mental illness.
“Ebony Wilkerson acted with a premeditated design to kill her three children,” investigators concluded in the charging affidavit. After consulting with the State Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s investigators presented the results of their investigation to County Judge Shirley Green, who signed the warrant late Thursday night for Wilkerson’s arrest.
She was arrested at 11:05 a.m. Friday morning after being released from Halifax.
Bordges has literally spent her entire adult life in-and-out of the Marion County Jail; mostly for charges of Simple Battery.
Eventually Bordges started following the wrong crowd and began dating men that were abusive as well as men that were into drugs. Although Bordges started out with alcohol, she was eventually introduced to Methamphetamine.
Experts say Methamphetamine not only destroys appearances, families, and the individual person, but also a person’s soul. Methamphetamine addiction is often described by specialists as a person’s mind has left their body and the devil has taken over.
According to an unnamed source, Bordges has a good family that loves her. The source described the family as the nicest people she has ever met. The source also added that Bordges has a bit of a mean streak, hence all the arrests for Battery.
In October 2013, Bordges’ 24th birthday, she wrote, “I’ve had a rough life that only I take responsibility for and have suffered and do suffer everyday because of my childish decisions. ” Adding, “I am clean now, no drinking, no bulls**t……..I’m different. I want to be destined for amazing things, I don’t need any distraction–I just need my son.”
Bordges was clean, but then she met Darryn Surdam, 31, a drug pusher/user who frequently dealt in Morphine, Methamphetamine, and Xanax.
On March 5, 2014, Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies, Ellis and Robertson, responded to the Royal Motel on South Pine in regards to a verbal altercation.
When Deputy Ellis arrived, the victim told him that she went to the motel to check on a friend. She said when she arrived she was invited into a hotel room by Darryn Surdam. Once inside the room, she said Bordges snatched her purse and began to dump it out. Surdam then escorted the victim out of the room and pushed her onto the concrete outside, causing her to hit her head. According to reports, Surdam then blocked the door to prevent the victim from gaining entry. The victim said Surdam then cracked the door open and began to throw her personal belongings outside.
Witnesses told Deputy Ellis that Surdam did throw the victim to the ground causing her to strike her head on concrete.
Surdam and Bordges both denied any involvement in the attack.
Deputy Ellis arrested both Surdam and Bordges.
While searching Surdam, Deputy Robertson recovered a glass pipe from [his] pocket that tested positive for Methamphetamine. Surdam has been arrested 10 times since 2000, also beginning at the age of 18.
While booking Bordges into the jail, staff located a small blue pill in her left front pocket, later identified as Clonazepam 1 MG.
Deputy Ellis discovered a keychain with an opened red container attached to it on the rear floor board of his patrol car. On the seat where Bordges was sitting, there was a small purple pill identified as Morphine 30 MG and a small white pill identified as Zolpidem. Deputy Ellis had cleaned out his vehicle prior to Bordges being arrested, therefore the pills did in fact belong to Bordges, according to reports.
Surdam was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Domestic Battery.
Bordges was charged with Robbery by Sudden Snatching, Possession of a Controlled Substance Without a Prescription, Smuggling Contraband into a Detention Facility, and Violation of Probation for Possession of Dilaudid.
The unnamed source said, “I am scared that one day she will end up dead.“
Both are still currently in the Marion County jail.
It is unclear on the status of Bordges’ young son.
Deputy Hay made contact with the driver, Duboris Sweet, as Deputy Barker made contact with the passenger, Christopher McCallum, 21. While speaking with McCallum, Deputy Barker smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Deputy Hay then asked the driver,Sweet, to step out of the vehicle. Deputy Hay asked Sweet if there was anything illegal inside the car, at which time Sweet admitted to smoking marijuana inside the car earlier that day.
Deputy Barker asked McCallum if he had any weapons on him, and he stated, “No.” Deputy Barker then asked McCallum to step out of the vehicle, at which time Deputy Barker saw [him] touch his right cargo pocket of his shorts. Deputy Barker noticed a large bulge in the pocket that McCallum was touching, according to reports. Deputy Barker then saw a black handle sticking out of the pocket flap that was partially open.
Deputy Barker immediately grabbed the bulge and pinned it against McCallum’s leg to prevent him from retrieving it. After making the other deputies aware of the gun, all of the deputies on scene ordered McCallum to put his hands in the air.
While McCallum was still sitting in the car, Deputy Barker removed a silver revolver from [his] cargo pocket and placed it on the roof of the car.
Deputy Barker placed one handcuff on McCallum, at which time he tried to jump out of the car. Using [his] momentum, Deputy Barker tried escorting McCallum to the ground but McCallum broke loose from Deputy Barker’s grip and fled on foot. McCallum ran through a patch of woods at Pine Coarse Track and Pine Course but he stumbled to the ground after tripping on some shrubbery.
Deputy Nix arrived, and he and Deputy Barker then placed McCallum in handcuffs.
During questioning McCallum said, “I carry the gun for protection because I have enemies that are after me.” He also stated that he was not going to hurt anyone with the gun and he didn’t know it was stolen.
The gun had six rounds in it and it was reported stolen in 2009.
McCallum was convicted of Robbery with a Firearm in 2007 when he was just 15-years-old. In 2010, when he was 18, he was arrested again and charged with Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted felon, Cocaine Possession, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Violation of Probation. In 2011, then 19, he was arrested and hit with eight charges. In 2013 he was arrested four times, and he was just released from jail on January 4, 2014 after serving a six month sentence after being convicted of Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Resisting Arrest, Possession of A firearm by a Felon and Obstruction.
McCallum is currently locked up at the Marion County Jail on a $16,500 bond. He is charged with Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Resisting an Officer, Possession of Ammo by a Convicted Felon and he received a citation for not wearing a seat belt.
Duboris Sweet was ticketed for speeding and released.
No deputies were injured during the foot pursuit.
Gainesville, Florida — Thursday, March 06, 2014, Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell placed Captain Keith Vermillion, one of her top commanders, on Administrative Suspension with pay effective immediately. The internal investigation was initiated by Sheriff Darnell and will be conducted by Captain Latrell Simmons, Office of Professional Standards.
Sheriff Darnell said, “I have been provided with credible information which causes me great concern and which needs to be thoroughly and properly investigated before I will make further comment (s)”.
Captain Keith Vermillion was hired by Sheriff Darnell in February 2007.
He has served in the following capacities as a commander:
Office of Professional Standards from February 2007 until June 2011 as a direct report to Sheriff Darnell; Captain Vermillion assumed full command of the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Commander in June 2011 and is where he currently serves. He is responsible for the Detective Bureau, the Drug Task Force, and the Forensic Unit. As the CID Commander, Captain Vermillion reports directly to Major Mike Fellows.
He was previously employed with the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (2001-2007) where he served as Director of the Savannah Impact Program, a multi-agency offender re-entry program. During his tenure with the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department he was the recipient of numerous awards including the Georgia Board of Pardon and Parole Innovations Award (2002); the Dr. Curtis McClung Award of Excellence from the Georgia.
This is a developing story.
Tallahassee, Florida – Today, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Joe Negron (R-Stuart), passed Senate Bill 860, known as the Florida GI Bill, and CS/SB 248, regarding Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs). Both pieces of legislation will now head to the Senate Floor.
“This session, the Florida Senate will honor the dedication, valor and sacrifice our military service members give to protect our freedom. Because of the input we received from military communities across our state, we are on our way to making Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation,” said President Gaetz. “Under the Florida GI Bill, our service members, veterans and military families will see increased education and employment opportunities. Additionally, our veterans will be welcomed home to Florida with a support system that offers workforce training catered to their unique skills.”
The Florida GI Bill and ALF Reform are both key components of the joint House and Senate “Work Plan Florida 2014” agenda authored by Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) and House Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel).
“Some of Florida’s most vulnerable citizens reside in assisted living facilities licensed by the state,” said President Gaetz. “Consistent and fair enforcement of regulations and increased transparency will provide Floridians with high-quality facilities to choose from when the time comes to make the difficult decisions about long-term care for family members.”
Making Florida the Most Military-Friendly State in the Nation
The Florida GI Bill, SB 860 provides funding for the Education Dollars for Duty (EDD) program to expand education options for National Guard members to include industry certification and continuing education to maintain license certification. Additionally, the bill creates the Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program which directs state universities, colleges, career centers, and technical centers to waive out-of-state tuition fees for honorably discharged veterans. The bill also expands the employment preference for positions in state, local and regional governmental entities, including the public education system, to all veterans, current members of the Reserves and the Florida National Guard, and the parents and spouses of service members who died in combat, and waives the initial licensing fees for 60 months for licenses obtained through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Department of Health for honorably discharged veterans and their spouses.
Additionally, the bill creates a non-profit corporation, Florida is for Veterans, Inc. (FIV), to promote the value of military skill sets to businesses in the state and to provide workforce training programs catered to the unique skills of veterans. FIV will also conduct market research on the veteran and military community and advise Visit Florida in the development and implementation of a marketing campaign encouraging veterans and service members to make Florida their permanent residence.
Improving Accountability Among Florida’s Assisted Living Facilities
CS/SB 248 improves accountability in ALFs by clarifying who is responsible for assuring residents receive services and requiring a larger cross section of caregivers to report abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families Central Abuse Hotline. The legislation creates additional and stricter penalties for ALFs by amending fine amounts and clarifying the criteria under which the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) must revoke or deny a facility’s license or impose an immediate moratorium.
The legislation also improves transparency by requiring additional inspections for facilities with prior violations and requiring the AHCA to implement an ALF rating system by March 1, 2015. The legislation also requires AHCA to add certain content to its website by November 1, 2014, to help consumers select an ALF that best meets their needs or the needs of a family member or friend who requires assisted living care.
On March 2, 2014 Deputy Rodriguez responded to the 6300 block of NW 57th Avenue,Ocala in response to a domestic disturbance.
After speaking with the victim, Deputy Rodriguez Made contact with Swinton while he was sitting on the back porch of the residence.
According to reports, Deputy Rodriguez grabbed Swinton’s wrist and informed him he was being placed under arrest for Domestic Battery, at which time Swinton pulled his arm away, got out of his chair and stood up. Swinton then said, “I didn’t do nothing for you to put your hands on me.” Deputy Rodriguez again attempted to grab Swinton’s arm but he shoved Deputy Rodriguez with both hands.
Deputy Rodriguez then radioed for backup.
Deputy Rodriguez grabbed Swinton’s left arm again, and this time he took his right forearm and hit Deputy Rodriguez in the mouth, knocking her to the ground.
Swinton then fled on foot.
Deputy Rodriguez gave chase but eventually lost sight of Swinton after he began to cut through yards, according to reports.
A short time later Lieutenant Turner arrived on the scene with his K9 and began tracking Swinton.
Witnesses stated that they had seen Swinton running through backyards and believe he was picked up by someone in a vehicle.
Swinton has been charged with Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest With Violence and Domestic Battery. He is being held on a $15,000 bond.
Apparently Swinton could not take the heat. He turned himself in to authorities at approximately 9 a.m. this morning.
Boston, Massachusetts — It is good news for perverts in Massachusetts, but an open door for women to be sexually harassed.
Yesterday, a Massachusetts judge ruled that it is perfectly legal for a man to use his cell phone or other recording devices to film a woman’s vagina from under her dress or skirt if she is out in public. The judge said that individuals do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy if they are out in public.
The ruling came after Michael Robertson, of Andover, Massachusetts, was arrested in 2010 for using his cell phone to take still photos and video under women’s skirts while riding the local transit. Robertson had an entire video collection he had captured over a period of time.
Robertson’s attorney said the court was violating [his] First Amendment rights. He went on to say that the Peeping Tom law only protects people from being photographed or recorded in dressing rooms, bathrooms, or through a house window when the person is nude or partially nude. It does not apply to people in the public he said.
The State cited Florida case law, stating that Florida has very explicit laws that criminalize public voyeurism. The defense simply replied, “This isn’t Florida.”
The defense attorney argued that the women on the transit that were recorded by Robertson are not protected by any law. He said they were not nude, and not wearing underwear doesn’t count. The defense attorney implied that if women don’t want their goodies to be recorded, then they should cover them up in public.
Robertson was found not guilty of any wrongdoing and will not have to pay any fines.
The Senate said they will immediately be calling for the law to be revised to include public voyeurism.
Deputy Crawford attempted to pull over a Silver Chevrolet Impala after determining the driver was speeding and the tint on the car appeared to be too dark.
Once the vehicle stopped and Deputy Crawford exited his vehicle the driver of the stopped vehicle, later identified as Jamale Lamar Whitaker,22, punched the gas and took off.
Lights and siren blazing, Deputy Crawford began pursuit.
Whitaker led Deputy Crawford on a short chase making multiple turns, running stop signs and rapidly swerving off of the roadway in an attempt to lose Deputy Crawford. This chase took place while it was raining.
Whitaker, realizing he couldn’t shake Deputy Crawford, jumped out of [his] car and attempted to flee on foot. However K-9 “Cadet”, anxiously waiting to get out of the car, was hot on Whitaker’s “tail.” Whitaker also made the foot chase a little easier for K-9 “Cadet” due to the fact that Whitaker’s pants were hanging of his rear, making it difficult for [him] to run. K-9 “Cadet” was able to secure Whitaker without incident.
Once Whitaker was secure, Deputy Crawford searched him and found $433.00 in [his] front pocket.
Additional units arrived on the scene and assisted in the search of Whitaker’s vehicle. Deputies found two plastic bags of marijuana along with a plastic bag containing a white powder that field tested positive for cocaine. All three bags were sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Additionally, deputies found a Kel-Tec 9MM handgun on the rear floor board behind the front passenger seat. The gun was loaded with a round in the chamber, and eight rounds in the magazine.
According to reports, Whitaker said he ran from deputies because he was in the middle of smoking a “Blunt.” He said the marijuana was his, but denied knowing how the cocaine or handgun came to be in his car.
Whitaker was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail. He was charged with Use or Display of a Firearm During a Felony, Fleeing and Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of Cocaine, Resisting an Officer Without Violence and Possession of Marijuana.
Despite Whitaker having illegal tint on his vehicle, he was not issued a citation.
Whitaker was released from jail on a $17,000 bond.
K-9 “Cadet” was not injured during the incident.
